Virje Waterfall

The basics

On your hike to the waterfall, you’ll walk along the Kanin River for two miles (3.5 kilometers), a gentle route with a very small descent. Many sightseeing tours of Slovenia’s spectacular Soça Valley stop at the Virje Waterfall. Some e-bike tours combine it with the Boka Waterfall, while others pass it during driving tours of the Mangart Saddle, a spectacularly scenic road that winds through the Julian Alps.

Things to know before you go

• The water is icy year-round, so you’re not allowed to swim there.
• There’s no admission fee to the grounds to see the waterfall, but you need to pay for the parking lot.
• Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and a warm jacket to walk along the riverbank to the waterfall, as the ground can be slippery and uneven.

How to get there

It’s easy to reach the waterfall from the village of Pluzna, which is a 2-hour walk away along the river. From the larger town of Bovec, it's a 50-minute walk to the waterfall or a 10-minute drive via the scenic Trg golobarskih žrtev Road. From the parking lot, it's just a short walk to the falls.

When to get there

Like the rest of the Julian Alps region, the Virje Waterfall is a year-round destination. However, it’s best to visit during the spring and summer months when the ice has thawed and the alpine meadows are in bloom. In the winter, the snow-covered cascade is a lovely sight, though the path may be very slippery.

Where to hike in Bovec

If the short walk to Virje whets your appetite for more hiking, there’s another path that reveals the beauty of this lovely Slovenian region. Challenge yourself to the 9-mile (15-kilometer) Narnia hiking trail, a circular route that starts from Bovec’s town center. It passes lovely mountain viewpoints, plus the Boka Waterfall.