Nestled in the Julian Alps and part of the Triglav national park, the Vrata valley is one of the most popular valleys in Slovenia. Maybe because without a bigger effort (walking or driving) one can almost “crash” in a big rocky wall which is the northern wall of the highest Slovenian peak, Mount Triglav 🏔️🏔️🏔️.
But before that I want to share with you some images of Pericnik waterfall.
The trail that brings you up to the waterfall is short (10-15 minutes’ walk) but is quite steep and can be slippery in some parts.
Pericnik waterfall is a single-drop waterfall, that falls down in twos steps. The upper waterfall is 16 meters high, the lower one is 52 meters high.
The magnificent thing about the biggest waterfall is that you can walk behind it and enjoy a completely new perspective. It is really amazing, since you are so class to the waterfall (PS – which is very refreshing in the summer months) and you can admire it from different locations. At the same time, you have an incredible view of the Vrata valley below.
The waterfall is even more impressive if you visit it after some rainy days and there is a big volume of water. I’ve read that through history the waterfall changed its way, and carved different “routes” on the rocks (the traces of the old routes are still visible). Locals also told me that back in 1930 the riverbed above the lower Pericnik clogged and for some time the waterfall ran like a two-drop waterfall.
The creativity and imagination of locals gave it also the name which derived from Slovenian verb for “wash” – the water washes, heavily beat on the rocks.
This unique waterfall freezes in cold winter and is spectacular.
The extremity of Vrata valley can be reached by car or walking along a small stream (10 kilometres). From the last parking space there is only few minutes’ walk to the nice alpine hut and further to the big monument in form of a rock wedge.
In 1953 the monument was built to remember all the fallen partisan mountaineers of WW2. It is an imposing, 3 meters high monument, staying in a very imposing location. If you turn your head up you will see the national Slovenian symbol, the peak of Mountain Triglav (names mean “three heads”, since the mountain has 3 peaks 🏔️🏔️🏔️).
Even if we were not fit to do any of the hikes, that can be done from this starting point, we just wonder around and enjoy the view of the peaks sunbathed by the sun.
We have to do some more exercises this winter so that we will be ready for the next hike season 😊.
Thanks for reading,
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Best regards, 