Wouldn't it be lovely walking alongside a crystal clear river on a forest track and arriving at this pretty swing bridge, with just the full 50 metre length of Slovenia's shortest river to go!

We didn't want to include this secret tip in our Idrija secret place tip as there is so much to do in Idrija for the day this bridge walk is so often overlooked, but when you could spend several hours enjoying this walk we hope that by putting this secret place on a separate page it will get the attention it deserves.

The stunning Bela (White) Idrija river was used for centuries to deliver logs down to the town of Idrija where the timber was used to support the shafts of the second largest mercury mine in the world.

absolutely fab path that leads from Idrija town to the wonky bridge and the river..

Fortunately the mine is closed now and there is a wonderful forest path that will bring you from the town at the mini museum with the largest wooden water wheel in Europe straight along the river to this lovely bridge.

Cross the bridge and go over the road to reach a short feeder river which flows into the Idrija. There is a pretty little path to the end of this river and then a little natural bowl lake with sheer walls at the end.

Take photos, but please do not go swimming here as there is a 500 metre long underground natural shaft at the base of the lake that has sadly claimed the lives of some of Slovenia's best divers. It is very dangerous indeed.

a tiny lake, but full of green atmosphere and hides a 500m deep cavern..

From the wonky bridge you could continue up river for kilometres, past a little village to find a wonderful swimming place near a kid's summer forest camp.. the water is cold here, but the river is deep enough to swim and incredibly beautiful..

There is a bridge and a car park here and the road turns into a stone track.. continue up here to find a magnificent Victorian stone dam which was closed to control the flow of the river when the mine owners wanted to send lots of new timber down the river..

what about this place along the Bela Idrija river to have a dip on a hot summer's day..

Now that would be an amazing forest and river walk..wow!

So pack a picnic and look forward to a really peaceful day or a half day's hiking here alongside one of Slovenia's least known rivers and the shortest one!