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Soča Valley
Soča Valley Alternatively you could rent a bike from Tolmin (6km from Most na Soči) and cycle the rest of the way, if you’re feeling a little adventurous.
The Walk of Peace
By bus
Gregorčečeva 8, Kobarid, tel. +386 (0)5 389 01 67/+386 (0)31 586 296, info@potmiru.si, www. potmiru.si. The most important sights connected with the first world war in the Soča valley have been joined together on this trail since 2007. Divided into five sections of varying difficulty, it begins at Log Pod Mangartom and ends at an outdoor museum on Mengore hill near Most na Soči, spanning a total of over 80km. Needless to say, there are possibilities to sleep at settlements along the way, including at the section start/end points and at a mountain hut on Kuhinja. Hikes to other nearby mountains are easy to access, and indeed the Walk of Peace itself utilises mainly existing mountain and tourist paths, itself being extra-marked.
There’s a direct bus from Ljubljana every day (11:15 and 17:50 weekdays, 06:30 and 17:50 at weekends), and there are lots of international links to and from Ljubljana.
By bike You could even rent a bike in Ljubljana (or use your own) and cycle the whole way (about 120km), if you’re a very keen adventurer or crazy, or both!
What to See The Soča River The river Soča, all 136km of it, is an
almost untouched piece of nature waiting to be discovered. At its source in Trenta the pure clear alpine water springs from a dark karst crevice, then flows rapidly towards the Adriatic sea, along the way featuring such natural beauties as deep gorges and graceful waterfalls. The bright turquoise colour of the Soča deser ves a paragraph itself. Utterly awesome just about begins to describe the thoughts that come to mind when gazing upon its splendour. The best time of year to experience its full impact is spring, when freshly melted alpine snow seeps into its tributaries. Apparently the green-blue colour is retained even as far as Friuli, northern Italy - a testament to its pure alpine origins. All manner of watersports and river-based activities begin to thrive on and around the Soča come springtime: kayaking, rafting, hydrospeed and fly-fishing for the famous Soča trout. The mystique of the Soča is still held dear by the locals who live on its banks, representing an almost spiritual presence, undoubtedly a symbol of natural perfection.
Mountaineering on Kanin, photo by FA Bobo, Archive of LTO Bovec As Slovenia’s first European Destination of Excellence in 2008, expectations are bound to be high, the country itself brimming with natural beauty and culture. As one transcends the winding road up from Tolmin, or descends the southside of Vršič mountain pass, they become mesmerised by flashes of turquoise appearing at their side. Steal a glance or two more and you realise it is an enchanting river, none other than the Soča. Along its banks, in its catchment area, several towns and numerous villages have lain since the Slavic tribes settled here in the 6th century, the ancestors of modern day Slovenes, their luck untold. It is a beautiful valley, in the true sense of the word. Towering rocky mountains of Triglav National Park, lush green forest and that crystalline water on pure white stones. Breathtaking. It is not often said that we are in a golden age of travel. We Westerners at least, can afford to travel almost anywhere in the world and there are indeed too many things to see in one person’s lifetime. However, the ease of travel within Europe at the moment is obvious. Thus the accessibility and proximity of the Soča valley for many Europeans makes it something not to miss. For those who can appreciate natural beauty, or enjoy it through outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, whitewater rafting or paragliding, it’s perfection. Its significance in modern history undoubtedly draws visitors too, the world wars having seen key front lines on this territory. The stories of war and the area’s heritage are told through excellent indoor and outdoor museums, mountain trails and historical
EDEN Slovenia
remains such as the medieval Kluže fortress, all linked by the Walk of Peace. Culturally speaking, the self-reliant Soča valley offers stone and sand art, wax and wool products, folkloric song and dance, and the cuisine, oh the cuisine. From Tolmin and Bovec cheese to the native Soča trout, unique ‘čompe’ Bovec potatoes and sweet sweet Kobarid ‘štruklji’, there’s plenty to discover.
Arriving By car From Ljubljana take the A2 motorway north towards Jesenice, exit there for the main road to Kranjska Gora. Turn left through the centre then keep going out of the town and over the Vršič mountain pass (1611m). After about 30km you will see signs for Trenta, then for Bovec, just keep going along main road 206. From Trieste take the A4 north towards Udine, keep following Udine on the A23 north, then exit at Udine. Take the main road west from Udine toward Cividale Del Friuli, stay on this road all the way to Kobarid (Slovenia). Then turn left for Bovec at the far end of the town. If you don’t have your transport, take a bus first to Ljubljana.
By train Trains are quite tricky. The closest they get to Bovec is Most na Soči, approximately 40km to the south. From there you could take a taxi, but bear in mind the distance.
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Ustanova “Fundacija Poti Miru v Posočju”
pools follows the experience. Upwards of twenty agencies in Bovec offer whitewater adventures on the Soča.
Fly Fishing on the Soča www.flyfishing.si. For
angling enthusiasts the river Soča should be some kind of Mecca, fly fishermen mandated to visit its waters at least once in their lifetime. A haven for trout, the only kind of fishing allowed here is that of the fly. Be them dry, wet, nymph or streamer, you may put your flies only on barbless hooks (just singles), but any kind of line and leader is fine. Those are not the only strict rules for fishing on the Soča, so one would be well advised to do their research in advance and have the required permits. Then get out there and catch yourself some dinner!
Triglav National Park Triglav National Park, the only one of its kind in Slovenia, covers only 3% of the landmass, yet what a spectacular proportion it is. Located in the south-eastern section of the Alps, the Eastern Julian Alps stretch across much of north-western Slovenia, bordering Austria to the north and Italy to the west. The park’s breathtaking landscape, including jagged peaks, expansive spruce forest, lush valleys and harmonious ecosystem has all been protected since the Alpine Conservation Park was founded back in 1924. The centrepiece and inspiration for its name is Mount Triglav, the highest in Slovenia (2864 metres). The mountain is the symbol of Slovenia (it appears in the coat of arms), and the country’s flag was flown here on June 26th, 1991, the day Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia. The name, Triglav, means three-headed, as it looks to have three peaks when seen from the Bohinj valley. The climb to the summit is not all that hard, but it is long. It’s a two-day ascent to the top, and requires an overnight stay in a mountain cabin. In short, it’s a special piece of nature, well worth visiting. Watersports on the Soča Rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, what better ways to experience the grandeur of the river Soča? On the waters themselves you can enjoy (and endure) a great little adventure, with a team of friends in a raft, a group of them in kayaks or gliding through the tourquoise liquid crystal with little more than a wetsuit. Qualified guides make sure the experience is safe, yet there should be no less sense of awe as you rush across rapids, float through dark green pools, pass huge rocks and cheer your arrival at the finishing point (Trnovo ob Soči). A customary, actually obligatory dip in one of the brisk river’s eden-slovenia.inyourpocket.com
Evening on the Soča river, photo by Dan Briški, Archive LTO Bovec
2012/13
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