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Photographically, there is hardly anything more beautiful than immortalizing the autumn colors in fiery, colorful colors.
This year I chose Slovenia to photograph this natural spectacle in 12 days. This small, fascinating country in the middle of Europe hides the most precious natural treasures: rugged mountain ridges, valuable forest areas and emerald watercourses.
When choosing the photo spots, I mainly stayed in the immediate vicinity of the Julian Alps, although I also made a few detours towards the east and south of the country.
Here is my top ten selection of my personal photo spot favorites, purely subjective and without any claim to completeness:
No. 10 – Pericnik Waterfalls (Parking 46°26'17.8"N 13°53'45.9"E)
Pericnik Falls is one of the best-known waterfalls in Slovenia. It flows from a hanging valley in Triglav National Park into the glacial Vrata Valley, where the water of Pericnik Creek then flows into Bistrica Creek.
There are actually two waterfalls: Upper Pericnik Falls (Zgornji Pericnik, 16 meters high) and Lower Pericnik Falls (Spodnji Pericnik, 52 meters high). The larger, lower waterfall is usually simply known as Pericnik Falls. It's a waterfall where you can get behind the water, as the rock is carved out by the water.
No. 9 – Sveti Tomaž in Gorenj (Parking possibility 46°01'24.8"N 14°05'24.8"E)
Slovenia has some great churches, for photography I think the stand alone ones are best, like this one. This church is best in late afternoon, during golden hour, but its should also be fine while sunrise. A medium size lens works fine (24-105mm).
Depending on which direction you are coming from, you will need to drive several kilometres over narrow, gravel paths, with sometimes deep ruts. Once there you need to leave your car in the village. There are not many spots, but as it is quiet here, you can probably find a place to drop the car. Then walk about about 10 minutes uphill until you see the church.
No. 8 – Vintgar gorge (Parking 46°23'34.9"N 14°05'07.0"E)
The 1.6 km long Vintgar gorge carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Boršt hills and is graced by the Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. The educational trail leads you over wooden bridges and Žumr’s galleries, and ends with a bridge overlooking the mighty 13 m high Šum waterfall.
This ravine in the immediate vicinity of Gorje, approximately 4 km north-west of Bled, was discovered by Jakob Žumer, the Major of Gorje, and the cartographer and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer in 1891. The natural form of the gorge was impassable, but was soon arranged and opened for public due to the tourist development of Bled which took place already in those days. Due to its natural beauty, Vintgar was classified among the more important tourist sights in Slovenia and the number of visitors increases every year.
No. 7 – Piran (Parking 45°31'11.5"N 13°34'10.1"E)
The climate on the Adriatic is completely different than in the mountains of Slovenia and the mild temperatures are immediately noticeable there.
Piran, with its beautiful old town and narrow streets, the Venetian architecture, the photogenic harbor and the majestic cathedral on a hill, offers many beautiful photo opportunities and in this sense is also a nice change. Only locals can use their car inside the town, tourists may park in a designated parking lot right at the entrance. Distances are short around the town, can easily be reached by foot.
No. 6 – Heart in the vineyards (Parking 46°40'18.7"N 15°33'03.5"E)
This spot is called "Srce med vinogradi" or "Heart in the vineyards". The name comes from the shape of the road as viewed from the observation deck located at the top of the vineyard. Road winds through the far west wine-growing Sloveske gorice hills in the municipality of Kungota near the border with Austria in the shape of a heart.
The heart among the vineyards is most clearly seen when the leaves fall off in the vineyards, in late autumn and winter, or early in the spring months when the leaves in the vineyards are not yet lush. At site you have to pay €3.00 to allow you on to the overlook.
In this enchanting Slovenian wine region you can not only taste excellent wine, but also enjoy wonderful sunsets over the picturesque vineyards. So a Tuscany photo location is basically included.
No. 5 – Špik mountain range from Srednji Vrh (Parking 46°29'22.0"N 13°50'14.3"E)
Very beautiful scenery and views on surrounding area (especially towards Špik mountain range). The spot is about 30 min drive from Bled. Best to have a wide angle lens (35mm or less). Optimal time is sunrise during summer and sunset during autumn.
Another option is to photograph the Milky Way. You can drive to a nearby parking spot, from there it is around 10 min walk to the spot itself. Just follow the main road, keeping slightly left. You'll find the spot at 46°29'22.9"N 13°49'53.9"E.
No. 4 - Slap Savica (Parking 46°17'23.2"N 13°48'08.6"E)
The Savica waterfall is unique among waterfalls in the world, as the water flow splits into two streams in the hidden underground. The famous A-shaped waterfall is 78 m high at an altitude of 836 m at normal water level.
It is fed by water flowing from the Triglav Lakes Valley and from under Pršivec, which reaches the waterfall through a horizontal cave tunnel. The original karst cave hides numerous siphons and underground lakes in its depths and is accessible only with guides and the right equipment.
No. 3 – The Church of St. Primoz (Parking 46°16'27.3"N 14°12'26.6"E)
Almost above the medieval town of Kamnik on the southern slopes of Velika Planina, a paradise for nature lovers lies the medieval church of St. Primoz, on 842 m.
It is a popular destination amongst photographers in Slovenia for its beautiful landscape and great sunrises and sunsets.
The church offers different types of angles to shoot from, you could shoot up close, using a 24mm lens or from the road that leads up to the church, in that case however you would need at least a 70-200mm lens. The church does not have a lot of visitors, however, it can be slightly crowded at times.
There is not much parking at the location so you have to try your luck on the mountain road leading up to the church or at the village nearby to then walk all the way to the church.
No. 2 – Sveti Tomaž in Selca (Parking 46°10'31.7"N 14°13'38.1"E)
Probably the best photo spot to photograph the church of St. Thomas in Slovenia, a small hilltop church at Sveti Tomaž village near Škofja Loka.
Very often there is a fog in the valley between you and the church giving it a great and moody atmosphere. It is placed on a ridge and the road is long enough to fit many photographers (which is mostly the case). This is best suitable for telephoto lenses between 70-300mm on full-frame. Which was my choice.
This spot has become very popular with photographers and some do not respect the private land - local owners complain of destroyed meadow, human poo all around the forest and even trash. Do not be one of those who spoil location for all the rest. Thank you!
No. 1 – Lake Bled boardwalk (Parking at 46°21'45.0"N 14°04'53.5"E)
A beautiful overview of the church and the island of lake Bled.
The boardwalk at 46°21'39.7"N 14°05'05.6"E along the lakeside offers the shortest shooting distance between the shore and the island at about 500m. Go there for sunrise.
Lake Bled is of mixed origins, glacial and tectonic. It came into existence after the Bohinj Glacier melted. During the last ice age the glacier deepened it's natural tectonic hollow giving it its present form, the melting ice filling the hollow.
With a surface area of 1.45 km2, it is Slovenia's most famous and most visited destination, named by Yahoo Travel as one of the World's 10 most beautiful lakes and not without good reason – surrounded by mountains and with a fairytale castle perched on a crag overlooking a 17th century church on an island, it is an outstandingly beautiful place.
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