We visited Vintgar Gorge in the summer of 2025. I was a bit skeptical at first, as it can feel like a tourist trap when you read about it or see the place. Fortunately, Irina convinced me to go. Although there is an entrance fee, it’s definitely worth it to see the gorge, the Radovna River flowing through it, and its waterfall. Being so close to Bled, the area attracts many tourists in the summer, but fortunately, everything is well organized.
Our Visit
The first time we visited Vintgar Gorge, we cycled from Radovljica. When we arrived, we realized that you need to book a time slot and purchase tickets online in advance. This is due to the large number of visitors and the gorge’s proximity to Bled. Unfortunately, we had to cycle back home without visiting, which was quite disappointing.
But in the evening, we bought tickets for the first available time slot the next morning. Tickets cost €15 per person and can be purchased on the official Vintgar Gorge website. This time, we drove and parked at the main parking lot (Vintgar Gorge Parking) and took the mandatory bus up, as there is no parking at the gorge entrance. Upon entering, we were given an unattractive helmet and an even less attractive hairnet to protect our heads from falling rocks. Visiting first thing in the morning turned out to be a great choice—the cooler night air created a beautiful mist over the river.
Vintgar Gorge is narrow, with rock walls rising 50–100 meters. The Radovna River has carved the gorge over thousands of years and continues to shape it today. During the last ice age, the Bohinj Glacier blocked the river’s path, forcing it to change direction and eventually form the gorge as we see it now.
The gorge is about 1.6 km long, and wooden walkways run along the entire route. These bridges allow visitors to get close to the river, its waterfalls, and all the other natural attractions along the way.
At the end of the gorge, there is a high railway bridge and a waterfall. To return to the starting point, visitors can choose between two hiking paths: the forest route or the alpine route. We opted for the alpine route, which is longer but offers better views of Bled and the valley below. The hike takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. If you’re reading this post in our app, you can select Hiking directions in the top-right menu to see the route.
How to get here
To get to Vintgar Gorge from Ljubljana, drive towards Bled. Just before the center of Bled, turn right towards Bled Castle and continue to Vintgar Gorge Parking where you park your car. It is about 55km and takes 45 minutes to drive if there is not too much traffic. In the summer, you can expect a lot of traffic in and around Bled. From the parking lot, you can take the bus.
There is also a bus from the center of Bled. Cycling is also good, but expect to walk quite a bit uphill to Vintgar Gorge.
Things to Do
- Hiking – There are many hiking trails in the area around Vintgar Gorge and throughout the Julian Alps. In this post, we describe the hike through the gorge and the return via the Alpine route. We also have several other posts covering hikes in the region, including Bled , Golica, and Stol.
- Bicycling – Bled and its surroundings offer many well-maintained bicycle paths. Depending on your fitness level, we recommend using a mountain bike or an e-bike. If you don’t have your own bike, there are plenty of rental options in Bled and the surrounding area. This blog plans to cover many cycling trips soon. In the meantime, we recommend using the official Bled website to plan your rides.
Where to Stay
- Aparthotel Hom - An apartment hotel located not far from Vintgar Gorge, offering convenient access to the area.
- Apartments & Rooms Florjana - Offers rooms and apartments conveniently located near Vintgar Gorge.
- Bled Rose Hotel - A modern, stylish 4-star hotel located in Bled.
- Villas and apartments - Since Vintgar Gorge is close to Bled, there are many villas and apartments available for rent in the area.
Where to Eat
Since Vintgar Gorge is close to Bled, there are many restaurants to choose from. However, most of the best options are in Bled rather than in the immediate vicinity of the gorge.
- Gostilna Vintgar - Located at the entrance to Vintgar Gorge, this is a nice place to stop after your hike. It’s recommended to book a table in advance on their webbsite.
- Hotel Triglav - Hotel Triglav features a high-quality restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide. The menu offers creative interpretations of traditional Slovenian dishes. You can book a table here.
- Bled Rose Hotel - The hotel’s restaurant is known for blending modern culinary trends with traditional Slovenian cuisine. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers. You can book a table by sending an email info@bledrose.com or calling +386(0)4 5796 000.
