The Bled Shuttle Bus, which is free for tourists staying in Bled, arrived fully packed this morning so, in true British style, we allowed others on first and took the high road and walked to Vintgar Gorge.

Just 5km northwest of Bled, Vintgar Gorge is located in the Triglav National Park and has been carved out by the Radovna River. The water, which is crystal-clear or aqua in colour, is deep and fast flowing but there are swirling pools within the 1.6km that appear almost tranquil.

While most people opted to drive or cycle to the gorge, we walked, following the road and trails to the southern end. There are numerous small car parks and plenty of public toilets before you enter although once on the boardwalk trail, it is very hard to stop or turn back with no amenities until you reach the other end. Entry costs €10 per adult and tickets are needed to pass the turnstiles.

Once through the gate, we were greeted almost immediately by exceptional views of the gorge, river and small waterfalls which were bathed in sunlight.

July and August are classed as “peak” season for the gorge and this was definitely noticeable; it was very hard to stop and take photos and we found ourselves stuck behind some obvious “influencers” for some of the route. However, it was an enchanting experience nonetheless and truly magical.

At the far end of the gorge there is another set of turnstiles and a small café, with a large waterfall just beyond that. It is about a 60m diversion to reach the base of the waterfall and there is a small funicular for those with mobility problems. However, at the time we reached the base of the waterfall it was incredibly busy, which detracted from it’s magnificence. If we were to visit again, I would aim for opening time when the foot flow was significantly lighter.

We couldn’t bear to retrace our steps through the gorge so decided to walk on to Sveta Katarina – a small church and view point high above the villages and Lake Bled. By this point, we were walking in the heat of the day as we took the footpath through mountainous woodland.

It was a hard trail to follow, especially with little knowledge of the area but eventually we emerged at the viewpoint we had been aiming for. There was a small bar there and I don’t think a cold pint of beer has ever been more appreciated.

From there onwards, the descent back to Bled was delightful through small villages and farms. We emerged close to Bled Station and stopped for another refreshing beverage before walking back to the campsite.

I’d highly recommend leaving the beaten track and seeing a little of the Slovenian countryside. It is truly spectacular.