Hiking Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia

I love how people often declare certain places to be “the most beautiful place on earth”, without modifying their statement at all.

“That I’ve seen thus far.”

“As far as I know.”

“I’m assuming.”

“Is hotly contested as…”

Because really, how can anyone actually know that any one place is THE most beautiful place on earth?

But I’ve got to admit… I had exactly that thought as we explored Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia:  “This might be the most beautiful place on earth!”

And let me assure you… pictures do NOT do it justice.

Having said THAT… here are some pictures of our hike through Vintgar Gorge!

It was another insanely hot day, and Andrew heard the gorge was nice and cool, so that was also a driving reason behind why we headed there.

Also, it is an experience not to be missed.

I’m dipping my feet, Steve’s taking photos.

Vintgar Gorge is pretty near to Lake Bled.  So, if you were wondering why we were hanging around Lake Bled without actually doing anything… this is why.  We were actually just waiting for our ride to the gorge.

I really liked walking over the little bridges!

Look at that colour!

I keep accidentally writing “gorge” as “gorgeous”.  Which… is maybe not an accident at all.  I mean, look at it.  What a GORGEOUS GORGE!

The water!  The colour of the water is unbelievable.  These pictures just aren’t doing it justice.  I felt like I was sitting within an emerald.

In fact, Slovenia itself is a very VERY green country, both ecologically and literally.  They have no huge factory farms or anything, just everything is small.  And possibly organic.  I sure had that impression… but I’ll be honest, I didn’t research it.

The hike along the gorge is not very strenuous at all.  You just walk along this wooden pathway that hugs the edge of the gorge.

And then you stop for a few pictures along the way.  HI!

If you want to walk back to Bled and not take a taxi like us lazy losers… you’d follow this arrow.

I later wrote in my journal that it was extraordinary.  “You just follow a path that’s mostly a walkway along the emerald river, it’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen, and pretty nice and coolish and shady even in the middle of the day.  I could’ve stared at the water for a very long time, like a jewel!  And the landscape is very dramatic too.  Felt like my favourite place!”

The man I love, resting, while I had possession of the camera.  Excellent.  *click*

And of course, after hiking all afternoon, we treated ourselves to ice cream in the shade, while we awaited our ride back to town.  We totally earned it.

SO!  Verdict?  If you go to Slovenia (and you SHOULD)… I highly recommend checking out Vintgar Gorge.  It’ll take your breath away!  You leave from Bled… a lot of people rent cars, but we took a taxi shuttle and shared it with some strangers, it’s cheaper that way.  Speaking of money… take some with you.  You’ll need to pay to gain entrance.  I forget what we paid… but it’s well worth the admission price.  I didn’t choke.  🙂

Oh yeah!  And there are mountains!