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Slap Pericnik Waterfall (Slovenia) – Hike + Tips + Photos

Last updated on August 23, 2023 by Claire - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

The Pericnik Waterfall in Slovenia is one of the most beautiful in the country with the possibility to walk behind it! Off the beaten track, Slap Pericnik is set in the Vrata Valley and offers magnificent views.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit and walk, with photos, tips and map.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Slovenia:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Slovenia: DiscoverCars

My favorite adventure from Bovec: Kayak on the Soca River

My favorite excursion from Ljubljana: Postojna Cave and Predjama castle

My favorite places to stay:

  • Lubljana, central – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Lesar Hotel Angel
  • Bled, iconic – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Vila Bled
  • Bovec, outdoorsy – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Dobra Vila
  • Piran, historic – see the best rated hotels or my favorite hotel: Hotel Piran
Pin Slap Pericnick Waterfall Slovenia travel Guide
Contents
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Slovenia:
Why visit the Pericnik Waterfall in Slovenia?
PLANNING TIPS & Map – Slap Pericnik, Slovenia
Road to Pericnik carpark and the Vrata Valley
About the Peričnik Falls – Facts & Geology
Hike to Lower Pericnik Falls
Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik
Upper Pericnik Waterfall

Why visit the Pericnik Waterfall in Slovenia?

In my opinion you should not miss the beautiful waterfall of Pericnik – definitively a must see in Slovenia and one of the best falls in Slovenia.
The second drop over 52m (171ft), where you can walk behind with views of the mountains is magnificent.
But don’t forget to protect your camera, it is like taking a mist shower!

Slap Pericnik Waterfall
Slap Pericnik Waterfall

Video – Virtual Tour

Below is a s short video to give you an idea of what the hike and waterfall look like:

A great excursion not far from lake Bled, don’t you think?

More photos after the planning tips.

PLANNING TIPS & Map – Slap Pericnik, Slovenia

How to get to Pericnik waterfall – Location & Map

  • South of the village Mojstrana, North West of Bled
  • Bled to Pericnik – 30min drive (30km – 19mi)
  • You can drive to the carpark but the last 2km are unpaved
  • You can also reach it on foot – A trails takes you from Mojstrana: the Triglaska Bistrica Trail
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate the waterfall:
Slap Pericnik Waterfall - Map
Slap Pericnik Waterfall – Map

This location is included (with GPS coordinates, map of location and planning info) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Slovenia road trip:

Plan your dream trip in Slovenia thanks to my guide
eBook Slovenia
  • 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 100+ pre-selected locations
  • 16+ extra ideas
  • GPS + info to make the most of your time
  • 190+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

Visit Tips

  • Price – Free access but carpark for a fee
  • 10min uphill hike – easy access to the lower waterfall, more technical to get to the upper one
  • Wear good shoes
  • Have a towel in the car or wear a K-way on a cold day as you will be wet
  • Protect your camera from the mist!
  • Café with toilets at the carpark
Need to rent a car in Slovenia?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Choose a car with enough power for the mountain roads
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Pericnik Waterfall in Winter

Pericnik is also very famous for its winter beauty. When the temperature drops, the water freezes, and the waterfall is covered with icicles dropping from the rock.
Quite a sight! Very appreciated by photographers. Have a look here for a picture from one of them

Where to stay nearby

  • The closest town is Mojstrana – Check out the best rated accommodations in Mojstrana
  • Otherwise you are not far from Bled, it can easily be done as a half day trip – Check out the best rated accommodations in Bled

Road to Pericnik carpark and the Vrata Valley

Slap Peričnik is a little off the beaten track in the Triglav National Park but not that difficult to reach.
It is located South of the Mojstrana village in the Vrata Valley.
The road is small but not difficult.

Paved road To Pericnik carpark
Paved road To Pericnik carpark

The last 2 kilometers are unpaved, so it is bumpy but not really difficult. And this is not in the mountains so no big drops on the side! Just trees.

Unpaved road To Pericnik carpark
Unpaved road To Pericnik carpark

A cafe house and a carpark are located at the bottom of the hike.
Past the carpark to same road leads to the Vrata valley.

Carpark Pericnick falls
Carpark Pericnick falls

From the carpark, you can see the lower falls in a clearing in the trees.

Pericnik waterfall Slovenia
Pericnik waterfall Slovenia 1

Across from the clearing don’t miss the beautiful view of River Triglavska Bistrica with the summits in the background!

River Triglavska Bistrica
River Triglavska Bistrica

About the Peričnik Falls – Facts & Geology

Let’s learn a bit more about the Pericnik Falls. They were created as a result of glacial activity in the Valley of Vrata. When the glacier retreated, material was carried away by water in the valley, and here it created a conglomerate rock face.

The Falls are in 2 stages:

  • The Upper Pericnick Fall (Slap Zgornji Peričnik) drops for 16m (52ft)
  • The Lower Pericnik Fall (Slap Spodnji Peričnik) drops 52m (171ft) – This is where you can easily walk behind – pictures below in the article
Drawing Pericnik Waterfalls
Drawing Pericnik Waterfalls

About the Name Pericnik

The name is derived from the verb “Prati”. Originally it meant ‘to strike or beat, especially with water’.

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Claire, I pay you a coffee!

Hike to Lower Pericnik Falls

Official hiking path

The official hiking trail to the Falls starts at the bottom of the clearing, left of the water as you can see in the photos below.

Pericnick falls hike 1
Pericnick falls hike start
Pericnick falls hike start

Unofficial path

There is also an unofficial walking path starting across from the café house. It is not as steep as the official one but with no indication.
There is a turn to the left at one point that you clearly see when you walk too far above but not on the way up. If you find it hard to walk up, you’ve gone too far!
The walk is a little steep but not that long. Just take your time and wear good shoes!

Pericnick falls hike 3
Pericnick falls hike 5

Under the fall

After 10 minutes of walking uphill, you find 2 bridges which allow the passage between both tracks below the waterfall. This is where you can see up close the conglomerate rocks transported by water from the glacier.

Pericnick falls hike 6

You discover the waterfall but not yet in its entirety.

Slovenia Pericnik Waterfall  1
Slovenia Pericnik Waterfall 4

Still partially hidden! Let’s keep walking.

Slovenia Pericnik Waterfall 5

52 m Drop view

After a few more steps on the left side of the waterfall, you finally get to see the 52m drop in its entirety. The splash sends a lot of mist in all directions.

Slap Pericnik Waterfall Slovenia  1
Slap Pericnik Waterfall Slovenia  2

I did not have a wide angle, so it was quite difficult to capture the whole waterfall. In the photo above I used the panoramic function of the iPhone vertically. Not that bad…
You can also walk down to the pool level, but be ready to take a shower!

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 

The best part of the Pericnik Waterfall is that you can walk behind it. I did it in Iceland, behind Seljalandsfoss and it is as much fun!

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 1

I really like the overall experience with the roar of the splash reverberating on the rocks and the mist hitting your skin. (Once again, make sure you have something to protect your camera!)

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 2

The path is a little bit scary, with the drop to the pool of the fall on one side, but it is not too narrow, so I managed. Make sure you are wearing good shoes. The small rocks with the water make a slippery ground.

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 3

Falls from the other side

Once at the other end of the Lower Pericnik Falls, this is the view. Definitively worth the walk, don’t you think?
Look at the size of the people across on the rock, this gives you an idea of the size of the waterfall!!!

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 4

And then you return and walk down…

Walking behind Waterfall Pericnik 5

Upper Pericnik Waterfall

Or if you are fit and don’t mind a more technical walk (you have to hold a chain), you can keep climbing to reach the upper falls. 
The atmosphere is quieter and more intimate, but with only a 16m drop it is far less impressive. 

I decided not to hike up, but have a look here for a picture from another photographer.

Want to see more amazing waterfalls in Slovenia?

  • Slap Savica and its emerald pool – read article
  • Slap Kozjak hidden in a cave – read article
  • Slap Boka, impressive drop visible from the road – read article
  • Or check out my article about the best waterfalls in Slovenia including Slap Virje – read article

Planning a trip to Slovenia? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip in Slovenia thanks to my guide
eBook Slovenia
  • 7 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 100+ pre-selected locations
  • 16+ extra ideas
  • GPS + info to make the most of your time
  • 190+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

Slovenia road trip Journal

Want to see more of SLOVENIA?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Slovenia Destination Guide.

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Slovenia Travel Guide - Slovenia Tourism

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