Slovenia boasts breathtaking natural wonders, including a multitude of mesmerising waterfalls. From cascading torrents to serene cascades, this enchanting landscape offers a diverse array of waterfalls to captivate your senses. In this article, I’ll unveil the 8 best waterfalls in Slovenia that will undoubtedly leave you in awe. We’ll start with my favourite… don’t want to keep you waiting.
Head to the end of the article to find all of these waterfalls added to a map that you can save!
1. Slap Virje Waterfall – Bovec (pictured)
Arriving at Slap Virje Waterfall was a real ‘wow’ moment for us. Sure, the water isn’t tumbling down hundreds of metres and crashing into the pool below, but it looked like it had been misplaced – meant for a tropical jungle somewhere. You can swim at Slap Virje, we did and it was incredibly cold. On a hot day it is a delightfully refreshing place to plunge. It’s so cold that not many people swim here, so if you are one of the few jumping in, you’ll be entertaining other people who can’t quite convince themselves it’s a good idea. A rock to the right of the waterfall is a great place for jumping off. I know it doesn’t look very deep, but we jumped and swam here multiple times and loved it! If you aren’t sure about the water level, be sure to check it out before jumping.
It’s located a little outside of Bovec in the Soča Valley of Slovenia. Entrance to Virje Waterfall is free. The parking is €5 for 2 hours. The car park is just a quarter of a mile from the waterfall. Try not to come through the golf course side as there is a sign that suggests the road is only to be used by residential traffic. We came here a few times and there were always multiple people here. We never made it very early, when I presume it would be pretty quiet.
2. Peričnik Waterfall – near Kranjska Gora
Our second favourite of the waterfalls in Slovenia, Peričnik waterfall is an impressive beast. You can actually start to see this waterfall from the car park. However, making your way up the steep staircase is worth it to get up close to this thundering waterfall. And if you can bear it, go even further up where you’ll find a second waterfall. Smaller and not as exciting, but beautiful nonetheless. At the lower, larger waterfall you are able to walk behind the stream of water, getting a 360 degree view of the falls. Water rains down from the sides of the cliff though, and you might get a little drizzled on as you pass through. There are rocks to sit on to rest and take in the thundering falls, but no specific recreation areas.
Entry to Peričnik waterfall is free, but parking costs Around €3-€5 paid to a parking attendant. We arrived early before the car park was manned. We got here around 8am and it was quite quiet. I’d recommend coming early, and before midday when the light disappears behind the trees.
3. Kozjak Waterfall – Kobarid Area
Kozjak Waterfall is a pretty special place, and it’s one of the easiest waterfalls to get to. It’s a 0.6 mile hike from the Brv čez Sočo bridge near Kamp Lazar. This bridge offers stunning views over the Soca river, with the mountains in the background. You’ll gain 109 metres in elevation as you head to up to the waterfall. There’s another smaller waterfall near a bridge on the way, but make sure you keep going. You’ll cross wooden paths and bridges on your way up, eventually arriving at a viewing platform that allows you to take in the stunning sight. The water flows through a cavern, crashing into a blue pool below. Swimming is technically allowed, but it’s not very deep and the pool was small when we were there. I’d also recommend checking when you pay for entry, as this might have changed. You can also wade through the water if you want to get close to the waterfall. However, there were people on the viewing platform when we went and we didn’t want to disturb their view. Note that the viewing platform is small; there’s nowhere to relax, so it’s a look and then leave (when you can drag yourself away) situation.
Entry is €5 per person. It perhaps seems a lot for a very short walk after the ticket office, but the waterfall is pretty unique and beautiful. The restaurant at Kamp Lazar has a very nice outdoor seating area, where we sat and had drinks. If you extend your walk a little you can park for free here . Check out this footpath link for a 2 mile round trip route that includes a little diversion on the way back down to the river.
4. Savica Waterfall – Bohinj, Triglav National Park
Savica Waterfall, located at one end of Bohinj Lake, is a majestic natural wonder with a breathtaking 78-meter drop. Fed by an underground karst spring, the waterfall can be reached via a steep half mile hike through the trees from the Savica Hut. The viewing platform at the trail’s end offers a stunning vantage point to witness the water cascading into the pool below. Steeped in folklore, Savica is linked to the legend of the mythical creature, the Goldhorn. A visit to this enchanting waterfall during spring or early summer guarantees an unforgettable experience amidst the picturesque Julian Alps.
We trekked to this waterfall at the end of a very tiring hike up Mount Vogel, so we were pretty exhausted during the 140 metres gained over half a mile on the way up. You hike up around 500 steps to reach the top. When you get there, you round the corner to a small viewing platform and a small walkway. I’d recommend going very early, if you want to have some uninterrupted views.
Entry in summer is €4 per person. There is usually a charge of €4 for the car park, where there is also a restaurant and souvenir shop.
5. Boka Waterfall – near Bovec, Soča Valley
Boka Waterfall drops in two sections totalling an awe-inspiring 144 metres. The waterfall’s thunderous cascade is best witnessed during spring and early summer when its flow is at its peak. In Spring, when the snow melts from the surrounding mountains, the water crashes down at 100 m³ / second. In the summer months, the flow can decrease to just 2 m³/s.
You can view Boka waterfall from the road, reached after a quick 8 minute drive from Bovec. Stretch your legs a little and walk from here up to the first viewpoint – it will only take you 15-20 minutes. If you’re looking for a proper hike, and want to get closer to the falls, the top viewpoint will see you climbing 448 metres in elevation over three quarters of a mile.
Entry to Boka Waterall is free, and you can also park for free.
6. Šum Waterfall – Vintgar Gorge, near Bled
When you visit Šum Waterfall, you probably won’t actually be here for the waterfall… This cascade is located at the end of Vintgar Gorge, a top attraction just 15 minutes from Lake Bled. After walking past the craggy rock faces, following the bright blue-green water of the Radovna river, you’ll reach the cafe hut where you’ll have a couple of options of how to get back to continue your walk. To find the waterfall, you don’t cross the last bridge after the cafe, but exit to the right of the cafe and cross the river afterwards. There are signs to the waterfall. To continue your walk, I recommend taking the walk up through the forest which emerges by a sweet church, before walking across rolling fields with view of Lake Bled in the distance. You’ll be given a map when you enter Vintgar gorge which shows your options.
Entering Vintgar gorge costs €10 per person, and parking is also €10 per car. You can also hire e-bikes from Bled to get here. Visiting the gorge is well worth it, but if for some reason you don’t want to, this waterfall is actually outside of the paid area, and you can visit it separately. You could also cycle to it if you’re out exploring the area. The viewing point is here.
7. Fratarica Waterfalls – near Bovec
Fratarica stream has created a number of waterfalls on its way down from the mountains, and you can visit them all on a short hike from Log Pod Mangartom, a 15 minute drive from Bovec. Varying in size and power, the waterfalls as you head up the path are named as follows: Slap Spodnji limp, Slap Dvojna Latvica, Spray Falls, Slap Ihta, Cathedral Falls, Slap Parabola, Noisy Falls, Slap Prvi Zgornji, Slap Drugi Zgornji, Slap Tretji Zgornji and Slap Latvice. There is so much to explore that I’d recommend bringing a picnic, your swimming stuff, and some warm clothes and really taking your time to drink it all in. You might spot some people canyoneering on their way down the stream, jumping over waterfalls into the pools below.
Accessing Fratarica Waterfall requires a short (1 mile one way including detours to different falls) but steep (200 metres elevation) hike through a picturesque gorge. Heading through Log Pod Mangrtom from the direction of Bovec, turn right just before a bridge over the river Predelica. A dirt road descends and turns right. After about 200 meters it takes you to a wide space by Koritnica where you park.
Entry to Fratarica Waterfalls is free, and parking is free.
8. Martuljek Waterfalls – near Kranjska Gora
During this gorge walk near Kranjska Gora you’ll see a series of different waterfalls and rapids as the Martuljek river crashes through the rocky ravine. At the end of the path, you’ll see the last waterfall falling down a sheer rock face into a shallow pool below. Each cascade possesses a unique charm, making this valley an unmissable haven for hikers and explorers.
It’s about a 5 miles round trip, with 430 metres of steady elevation gain, it’s an out and back walk rather than circular. Entry to Martuljek Waterfalls is free. Start at the Triangel Boutique Hotel. A shorter walk would just reach the first waterfall if you’re pressed for time, but those with the time and stamina will be rewarded with a quieter path and fascinating falls.
A Waterfall Adventure
If you love waterfalls, and love an adrenaline rush, how about combining the two on a canyoning adventure in the Soča valley or Triglav National Park! Check out these excellently reviewed adventures I’ve picked out:
Conclusion & Map
Which of the waterfalls in Slovenia will become your favourite? Let me know!
This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to earn commission to help run this blog, without affecting the price you pay. The fact these links exist in no way affects the planned content of my post. I will never recommend experiences I haven’t done or wouldn’t love to do myself.
