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Tolmin Gorges

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Tolmin Gorges (Tolminska korita) are the lowest and southernmost entry point into the Triglav National Park, situated at the confluence of the Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers. The gorges were carved by the intense erosive force of these alpine rivers into the limestone bedrock, creating narrow vertical walls reaching heights of up to 60 meters. A unique geological feature is a thermal spring located in a small cave at the end of the Tolminka gorge, with water temperatures consistently between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. Key landmarks within the site include the Devil’s Bridge (Hudičev most), which spans the abyss at a height of 60 meters and was originally built in the early 20th century. Another significant feature is Dante’s Cave (Zadlaška jama), which, according to local legend, inspired the poet Dante Alighieri’s descriptions of Hell in his Divine Comedy. A massive boulder wedged between the canyon walls, known as the 'Bear’s Head' (Medvedova glava), creates a natural bridge and is one of the area's most famous symbols. The gorges are explored via a circular path that showcases the region's diverse karst geology and lush, moisture-loving flora.

Location: Slovenia
Top sights: Tolmin Gorge · Zadlaška jama · Medvedova glava
Nearby: Most na Soci (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	0	1	5	10	14	19	21	21	16	11	6	1
Rain mm	65	76	77	75	96	86	81	95	116	111	121	96

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

Serving as the lowest entry into the national park, the gorges are typically approached by driving to the clearly marked access zones near the town of Tolmin, followed by a short transition to the well-defined footpaths leading directly into the deep canyons.

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Best season

To safely witness the impressively deep canyons and lively water colors, the most favorable visits are generally timed from late spring through early autumn, when daylight illuminates the depths properly and trail conditions remain notably more consistent.

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Terrain & paths

The canyon environment presents a rugged yet systematically maintained loop pathway featuring quite a few stairs, sturdy wooden bridges crossing the cascading rivers, and rocky underfoot sections that naturally remain somewhat damp continuously.

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What to bring

Dependable hiking shoes offering solid traction are strictly necessary to confidently handle the often wet and somewhat slippery gorge paths; additionally, bringing a light extra jacket is wise since the deep canyon floor stays noticeably cooler than the upper valleys.

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Parking

Organized, designated parking spaces are generally found very near the official entrance booths, although during the absolute busiest mid-summer weeks, these areas fill rapidly, potentially necessitating alternative parking slightly further down the access road.

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Safety

Adhering strictly to the clearly marked primary trails and robustly constructed safety railings is absolutely vital, as venturing off-path presents severe falling hazards towards the turbulent, freezing alpine river waters rushing rapidly below.

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Time needed

Completing the established circuit walk while allowing ample, comfortable time to read informational displays and admire the dramatic thermal springs and natural rock formations usually occupies around one and a half to roughly two hours in total.

Geography

Coordinates

46.19830, 13.73860

Facts

Lowest point in the Triglav National Park (180 m)
The gorges have a total length of about 200 meters
The Devil's Bridge is 60 meters above the Tolminka River
The thermal spring water reaches up to 21°C
Dante's Cave spans a total length of 1,140 meters
Bear's Head is a massive naturally wedged limestone block

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Tolmin2 km · SExplore →

Most na Soci5 km · SExplore →

Bohinj Vogel9 km · NEExplore →

Krn9 km · NWExplore →

Kolovrat11 km · WExplore →

Savica Waterfall11 km · NEExplore →

Kozjak Waterfall13 km · NWExplore →

Lake Bohinj13 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Tolmin Gorges (10)

Tolmin Gorge

Mountain gorge in Triglav National Park, Slovenia, deep rocky canyon with Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers.

🌐 soca-valley.com

Zadlaška jama

Cave in Slovenia, part of the Tolminka gorge, known for its stalactites.

Medvedova glava

Rock formation near the Tolminka gorge, also called Bear's Head.

Šenpau

Ruins of an old castle or settlement near Tolmin.

Muzej Mrzli Vrh🏛 museum

Museum on Mrzli Vrh commemorating the Isonzo Front and World War I.

Tolmin Castle🏰 castle

Castle ruins in Slovenia, above Tolmin, historical fortress.

Vpisna knjiga

Viewpoint with a summit book, offering views of the Soča Valley.

Cerkev Marijinega vnebovzetja

Parish church in Slovenia, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, in Tolmin.

Tolmin Museum🏛 museum

Local history museum in the Soča Valley, Slovenia, shows the region's history and culture.

Tolmin official landing

Official landing site for paragliders and hang gliders in Tolmin.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the lowest point?

The entrance is the lowest point of Triglav National Park.

What is the Bear's Head?

A large rock wedged in the canyon.

Are there thermal springs?

Yes, a small thermal spring is located in the cave.

How long is the circular path?

It takes about 1.5 hours for the full circle.

What is the Devil's Bridge?

A high bridge offering a spectacular view.

Tolmin Gorges: where is it located?

Tolmin Gorges is located in Slovenia.

Tolmin Gorges: what is there to see?

Highlights include Tolmin Gorge, Zadlaška jama, Medvedova glava.

Tolmin Gorges: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Tolmin Gorges: why is it worth visiting?

The Tolmin Gorges (Tolminska korita) are the lowest and southernmost entry point into the Triglav National Park, situated at the confluence of the Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers.

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