Guide to visiting Virje Waterfall in Slovenia
Virje is a small but beautiful waterfall located in the Soča Valley, in Slovenia. It is becoming more and more popular since it is so easily accessible.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to visit Virje Waterfall.
More about Virje Waterfall: Why is it so special
Virje is a 12-meter-high waterfall located near Bovec, one of the main cities within the Soča Valley. Located in the middle of the forest, it is a place where you can cool off during the summer days.
This waterfall is very unique for two reasons: it has a beautiful A shape and it is fed by a natural spring that never dries up, even during the winter.
The river stream that feeds the waterfall is called Glijun and here, it splits in this A shape forming two emerald pools. The view is really beautiful!
The water flow in Virje is not strong at any time of the year, but it is always constant. The karst spring that feeds the Glijun River doesn’t dry up, regardless if it is summer or winter, which is very rare!
The water, however, is very cold because it is a glacial spring.
Read also: Best things to do in the Soča Valley
How to get to Virje Waterfall
Since Virje Waterfall is located so close to Bovec, it is quite easy to access it. The trail to the waterfall starts at the Virje parking lot (location here). Here are the transport options from Bovec:
- By car: it takes only 9 minutes from the center of Bovec to the Virje parking lot
- By foot: the talk will take you around 50 min
- By bus: during the summer, there is a hop-on hop-off bus that takes you to the village of Plužna, and from there, it will be a 15-20 min walk to the waterfall. Check the bus schedule here.
Parking at Virje Waterfall
If you will be coming with a vehicle, you will need to pay for the parking at Virje. These are the current fees:
| Cars | € 4.00 for 1 hour |
| Vehicles with more than 5 seats | € 8.00 for 1 hour |
| Motorbikes | € 3.00 for 2 hours |
| Motorhome / Bus | Not allowed |
Parking can be paid on-site at the parking machine.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Visiting Virje Waterfall
Once you get to the parking lot, you will see the trail that leads to the waterfall. It is only a short walk along a gravel path until you reach the fall.
The area around the waterfall isn’t very wide, but it is enough to enjoy the space. You will see the two beautiful pools, one formed on each side of the A-shaped waterfall.
Since Virje Waterfall is so easily accessible, it is a popular spot for families and people traveling without a car.
During the summer, the waterfall can get very busy!
Can you swim in Virje Waterfall?
There are signs saying that swimming is not allowed at Virje Waterfall.
However, if you go during the summer you will see that a lot of people choose to ignore the signs. We urge you to not be one of those people.
Things to know before visiting Virje Waterfall
- Even though we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, the path from the parking lot to the waterfall is easy and can be done without specialized footwear.
- The water at Virje Waterfall is always very cold since it comes from a glacial spring. The water is typically around 7oC.
- Virje Waterfall can be visited all year round, but we think it looks the best during spring when the water flow is the highest due to the melting snow.
- Virje does not have an entrance point so it can technically be accessed at any time. We recommend coming early in the morning to find it less crowded, especially if you visit during the summer.
Other waterfalls in Slovenia
More travel guides about Slovenia
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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