Virje Waterfall

The path from the car park descends gently through forest. Within 5 minutes, you hear the water; a minute later, the waterfall comes into view. The 12-metre-high, 20-metre-wide rock face is blanketed in moss of varying greens – from dark to lime. The water doesn't fall as a single stream but splits into dozens of rivulets fanning across the rock.

At the base sits a pool of emerald water. A wooden platform on the right bank provides a photo vantage point. Water temperature is around 7 °C year-round, sourced from the Gljun karst spring. Swimming is officially prohibited, though some visitors wade in. A steep path on the right leads up above the waterfall for a top-down view.

Water volume depends on rainfall and the hydroelectric plant downstream. After rain or spring snowmelt, the waterfall becomes a powerful cascade with thick mist. In dry summer spells, the flow can weaken noticeably.

Shape – fan-shaped waterfall 20 m wide, water cascading in multiple streams over mossy rock

Height – 12 m, with a 2–3 m deep turquoise pool at the base

Source – Gljun karst spring, one of the few in the region that never dries up

Access – 5 minutes on foot from the car park, gentle descent, suitable for everyone

Water temperature – around 7 °C year-round, spring-fed from the Kanin massif

Virje Waterfall is formed by the Gljun karst stream, which surfaces from beneath the Kanin massif (2,587 m). Underground water, filtered through limestone, emerges as a powerful spring near Plužna village. The karst system is tens of thousands of years old. Glacial deposits on the slope create the characteristic mossy wall over which the water fans.

Until the 2000s, the waterfall was little known – mostly visited by locals. As tourism in the Soča Valley grew and photos spread on social media, the site gained popularity. A car park and trail were developed, and information boards installed. A small hydroelectric plant nearby can reduce the waterfall's volume during dry periods.

From Bovec (5 km, 10 minutes by car):

- Drive through Plužna village. Road is narrow, final stretch along a hillside. Parking €5/2 hours

- On foot from Bovec – 4 km, about 45–60 minutes

- Summer (July–August) – hop-on hop-off bus route B3/B4 to Plužna, then 15–20 min walk

From Kobarid (20 km, 20 minutes):

- By car on road 203 via Bovec

- A rental car is the best option for exploring the Soča Valley

From Ljubljana (140 km, 2.5 hours):

- By car via Kranjska Gora and Vršič Pass (summer) or via Tolmin (year-round)

- Bus to Bovec (~3.5 hours, ~€14), then taxi or walk

Season: Accessible year-round. Best in May–June when snowmelt maximises the flow. In summer (July–August) water levels can drop due to drought and the nearby hydroelectric plant.

Time of day: Late morning (10:00–12:00) or afternoon (after 15:00). Early morning, the waterfall is in shade.

Duration: 30–40 minutes for the waterfall. Add a walk to Gljun Spring and Plužna Lake for 1.5 hours total.

Avoid: Weekends in July–August – the car park fills by 10:00. After prolonged drought, water flow is minimal.