Arnold Rikli (1823-1906) was a son of a Swiss factory owner. He studied the healing power of nature from a young age, but discovered Bled entirely by accident when after a serious illness his friends advised him to recuperate in Bled. On his first visit in 1852 he became infatuated with the freshness of the air, the purity of the lake, the mild Alpine climate, and the view of the Julian Alps, all of which helped revitalize him. He took advantage of the local natural resources to set up his natural healing institute, where in the later years he treated thousands of patients. Here he developed his own hydropathic methods – methods of natural healing, which he trusted more than classical remedies and the conventional medicine.
The Rikli Trail in Gorje
Attractions
- The Poglej Church (Poglejska cerkev): a natural rock-shelter with a small cave on the outskirts of the village of Poljšica near Zgornje Gorje, in which archaeologists found human-made tools from the Old Stone Age.
- The view from the Poglej Church (Poglejska cerkev): from the Poglej Church there is a beautiful view of Gorje, Gorenjska ravan, Blejski kot (Bled corner), the Pokljuka plateau, and the mountains Debela peč, Rjavina and Triglav.
- From the highest point of the path there is a beautiful view of Lake Bled.
The trail
The starting point is at the Rikli Trail information board at the crossroads above the village of Poljšica. From here you ascend towards the hamlets of Zaboršt and Zatrata, where you will look for a wooden pillar with a signpost directing you to a forest path. Follow this and further signposts via Stovičje to the highest point, called Iz Križev. There, a beautiful view opens up, of the lanscape below and especially of Blejski kot (‘the Bled corner’). From Iz Križev you can return to the starting point either via the pastures of Poglejska gmajna (‘the Poglej Common’) or by road.
You can continue along the path to Rčitno, from where you can return to Bled via Slamniki and Bohinjska Bela or continue towards Pokljuka.
Difficulty: moderate
Trail length: 4 km, a circular path
Walking time: 2 hours
Path type: forest, macadam, asphalt
