Vintgar Gorge to Blejski Grad, Bled - Slovenia 15 October 2019

Vintgar Gorge to Blejski Grad
Bled
Slovenia
Distance 10.7km Climb 510m
Tuesday 15 October 2019

Four years ago when I was in Slovenia I had heard that the Vintgar Gorge was stunning but we never had the chance to visit. Before coming on this visit to Slovenia I had received some information about the Gorge so today was my opportunity to visit.

As usual I took so many photos too many to include all of them in my blog. Daz dropped us off near the entrance and we had a short walk to the start of the Gorge. Today Kippy, Alan and I were joined by Tont, AJ was working.

The price for the Gorge is now €10 each, so we paid the fee and walked through the gate and along the path heading north east.

In places the Radovna was fast flowing as it passed below the wooden walkways.

In others it ran slow.

The water was very clear and I could see the bottom.

In places large trees had fallen down the side of the Gorge.

Sometimes the Radovna is called the daughter of Triglav.

Amazing the work that had been done in building the walkways.

So many stunning views.

On returning home I have found out that this is a white dipper and there were many flying in the area.

The water was so clear we could see a number of large fish swimming. Tont being a fisherman spent some time looking at the fish.

In places I could hear birds singing.

Passing under the railway bridge. I wonder if the train stops to allow people to take photos.

This is the view down Slap Sum.

and this is the view from the viewing platform back up Slap Sum.

After a coffee, I had a quick look up the path to the left, passing a small stone building and a tunnel a little higher up the track a sign indicated the way to a bus stop. Returning back to the café where Alan, Kippy and Tont were waiting. When I re-joined them we headed up the track to the right heading towards Bled.

After a slippery track in places we found there were a couple of paths we could have taken. The signs took a turn to the right but Alan's phone directed us straight ahead.

Not to worry all the paths led to St Katarina.

Low clouds hid some of the views but we could still see the beauty of the place, as we walked down the road. towards Zasip.

Looking across to St Janez we could see this man cutting his grass.

A lady asked Tont to have a drink from her well, as we followed the road down hill to the left.

Along the road towards Gmajina we could see Blejski Grad (Bled Castle) to our front.

Passing through Gmajna and over the main road Alan directed us through the streets.

To St Martin's.

Across the square we took the steps up to the Grad.

Walking around the outside of the Grad we looked for a view of the Church, St Marija's on the Lake. Just passed the Grad we found an area where the views where absolutely stunning.

Returning back to St Martin's I collected a Geocache.

Then it was down to Blejsko Jezero (Lake Bled).

It had been a lovely day, we had covered 10.7km with 510m climb. Stunning views all day, too many photos to show here. Thanks to Alan, Kippy and Tont for a great day.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Slovenia or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to my previous walk in Slovenia Bohinjska Bela to Galetovec13 October 2019.
Follow link to my next walk in Slovenia. Vrata Valley to Triglavski Dom 18 October 2019.

Bohinjska Bela to Galetovec, Bled - Slovenia 13 October 2019

Bohinjska Bela to Galetovec and Return
Bled
Slovenia
Distance 17km Climb 790m
Sunday 13 October 2019

It had been four years since I had last been in Slovenia. I like Slovenia it is such a lovely beautiful country and the people are so nice and friendly. It was good to be back.

Today I was wandering with friends Ajaya, Alan and Kippy. We left our accommodation and turned right, north, onto the main road walking under the railway bridge. We were following rough directions towards the top of a hill. As it was Ajaya's birthday he had the say in which direction we took when we reached a crossroad or track junction.

A hundred meters or so along the main road we turned left, west onto a forest track and started climbing up the hill heading south. This junction was just before the railway station that was a little further up on the right and Gostilna Batist a very fine bar that was a little higher up the main road and to the left.

We saw the signs for Galetovec and headed up as the forest track started twisting and turning towards the south west and north west. Between gaps in the very tall trees we occasionally saw glimpses of distant mountains.

It was very warm walking and we were soon down to tee shirts.

White scree shining in the sunlight on the distant mountains.

Occasionally we could see the cliff like features on the far side of our valley.

In places we could see narrow tracks either coming down to join the forest track or fall away from it. We stayed on the main forest track and continued to climb. In places it was a gentle climb in others it was quite steep. One thing we constantly passed under on our turns up the hill was the electric pylons.

We reached Marko's Turn a sign shows this is the snow line.

This is the view of Marko's turn or as Alan asked did Marko not turn and that was why he had an accident?

Eventually we reached a fairly level pasture where the trees dropped away and we could see houses and huts.

A junction has a seat, near a small memorial stone.

The memorial shows a date of 1943 and it must be important as it is still well looked after. Notice how the tree it growing over the sign for Galetovec.

Just passed here we saw a man stacking harvested trees in piles by the side of the road. In all the forests I have walked I have seen piles of felled trees. What was interesting here is that they seam to select which trees to harvest and not just clear a whole area of woodland. We had passed a few piles of felled trees on our walk up the hill and we could see the marks of chains on the trees and in many places where the trees had been dragged through the forest.

Our path turned towards the right and another area of pasture.

After a few hundred meters signs and AJ took us from the forest track onto a stone path up between some trees beside a steep pasture. After walking through some trees the trees fell away by an open fence and we started to climb through open countryside up towards a large hut.

On reaching PI. Ilovec, we could see that there was no path continued up the hill however Kippy spotted the path running from right to left.

We decided to follow the path right up towards a ridge. While standing here a lady coming down the path advised us to continue up for the next few hundred meters. Which is what we did.

We were now following the Slovenian walking trail markers a white dot within a red circle. I have since found out was along the National Park Boundary.

This took us to the picnic area on Galetovec of 1265m, where we signed the book.

The views across and over Lake Bled was stunning. With the Karavankas the Austrian border to our north.

The turquoise blue of Lake Bled shining below, we took a few moments to rest, take pictures and enjoy the views.

From our accommodation the cliffs on the far side of the valley look higher than Galetovec yet from here we could see they are not.

Heading down we took the same route back as we had walked up.

Back onto the forest track, and following the forest track as it twisted and turned down hill.

Reaching the main road and turning right to walk back under the railway bridge and returning to our accommodation.

It had been good to get out for a few hours and the walk was great with stunning views and good friends, Ajaya, Alan and Kippy. Happy Birthday again Ajaya you made some good choices. We had walked 17km with 790m climb. A good day out.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Slovenia or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to my next walk in Slovenia Vintgar Gorge to Blejski Grad 15 October 2019.