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People of Vintgar 

Safe Gorge

The process of ensuring protection against falling rocks and inspecting the route through Vintgar Gorge involves more than 10,000 hours of work by a team of over 20 specialists in outdoor high-altitude work. 

Audio guide
Interesting facts

What you can see at this point

“Before taking a step in Vintgar Gorge, look ahead, look at the rock to your right, look up, and then look ahead again.”  

This advice from the gorge’s caretakers and locals is still welcome, despite the fact that the trail through Vintgar Gorge is today well protected and a lot friendlier than it once was.  

In the past, Vintgar Gorge was the scene of many accidents. People and animals risked their lives every time they set out on the unprotected path above the cliffs or the path running just above the water. The sheer cliffs, the wild river Radovna and tales of misfortunes provoked feelings of awe in the local population back in the days when some natural phenomena were still unexplained. We locals still have those feelings today.  

The Gorje Tourist Association has been organising visits for more than 130 years. And in winter, and when Vintgar rests, nature takes its course, hurling stones, branches and even tree trunks and rocks on to our wooden walkways! This means that at the start of every new season we have to repair and reinforce the trail and get it ready for new visitors.  

The process of ensuring protection against falling rocks and inspecting the route through Vintgar Gorge involves more than 10,000 hours of work by a team of over 20 specialists in outdoor high-altitude work. To ensure our safety they examine every single rock on the sheer walls of the gorge, install new protective netting and ensure the trails are in good order. These fearless workers climb high up the cliffs, reaching difficult-to-access spots, and when they encounter obstacles they cannot overcome on their own, a helicopter comes to their aid, skilfully manoeuvring to remove fallen trunks and other heavy loads. Only then is Vintgar ready for the new season and new visitors. Never underestimate the gorge: it is important to tread carefully at all times.  

Our maintenance team inspect the gorge every morning to ensure it is safe. Without them, the day in Vintgar Gorge cannot begin.