Soča river
The Soča river belongs to the Bovec area. With so many locations to mention, the Soča has been given a seperate page.
Banner: The Soča halfway between Srpenica and Trnovo ob Soči.
Introduction
The emerald-green Soča river is definitely the main attraction of the whole region. Flowing through valleys surrounded by steep mountains with partly white peaks many people call it the most beautiful alpine river in Europe. The upper part of the river till at least past Kobarid is absolutely unspoiled. No dams, channeling or whatsoever, just pure beauty.
Besides the many people who do kayaking and rafting between the second gorge and Kobarid, also walkers can spend a lot of time exploring the many beautiful spots and tracks along the river.
You could take a bus from Bovec to the upper part of the Trenta valley and walk the whole so called Soška pot (Soča trail).
It will lead you alternately along the left and right bank of the river until short before the confluence with the Koritnica, close to Bovec. Sometimes there is a path on both sides and one of them is the best choice. The whole path should be way marked as the Soška pot with wooden signposts. We haven’t taken the time to do that yet but you can find a part of the trail at the bottom of this page.
I have highlighted a few spots and short walks, just to give you some hints. They are ordered starting at the source and then downstream to the Otona pool close to Kobarid.
You are splendid, limpid daughter of the heights,
You are graceful in your natural beauty,
When your transparent depths
Are not disturbed by the
Wrath of darksome storms,
You are splendid, limpid daughter of the heights!
First lines from the poem Soči by Simon Gregorčič
The karst source of the Soča (Izvir Soče) can be found in the upper part of the Trenta valley. Like many rivers and waterfalls, it is magnificent to see a river start in a crack in the mountainside.
Starting point: The road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora, at the second hairpin bend (number 49) of the Vršič pass road
Duration: 30 minutes
Length: 850 meters
Height difference: 80 meters
Also called the little Soča gorge or Mala korita Soče. Just have a look when you are nearby.
A nice spot for a short rest or picnic along the rocky riverbanks.
Starting point: Crossroad to Na Skali on the road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora
This is just a spot, not a walk.
Called the great Soča gorge or Velika korita Soče.
The second gorge can be explored at the opposite side of the river. Between the road and the river there is no path. A short walk to the end of the gorge with magnificent views in the gorge is described here.
Starting point: The road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora, parking lot at kilometer post 14,0
Duration: 38 minutes
Length: 1,5 kilometers
Height difference: 30 meters
The local name might be Za Otoki. Kayakers call it Bunkerji, in German it’s called Bunkerschwall.
This is a river section of little over 200 meters with big rocks all over in the riverbed.
You can walk along the river on both sides, there is a suspension bridge.
Starting point: The road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora, parking lot at kilometer post 17,0
This is just a spot, not a walk.
The local name is Zmuklica or Kršovec. A beautiful gorge and a nice place to stay for a while. The short walk to the gorge can easily be combined with a walk to the next location below (Rock wall at Brjeka).
Starting point: The road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora, some 700 meters after the village Kal Koritnica
Duration: 15 minutes
Length: 700 meters
Height difference: negligible
This is a beautiful spot that you should not miss. The Soča river passes a rock wall of hard rock layer right-angled to the river flow.
Starting point: Kal Koritnica
Duration: 35 minutes
Length: 2,3 kilometers
Height difference: 60 meters
At Trnovo you will find a very nice section of the Soča. You can walk along the right river bank in both directions for a while. Downstream is a long river section with many big rocks in the riverbed and many rapids, a really nice scenery.
Starting point: Trnovo ob Soči
Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Length: 3,2 kilometers
Height difference: 90 meters
This is a short walk to a huge rock wall in the Soča riverbed. A very nice scenery, worth staying for a while.
Starting point: Parking between Trnovo ob Soči and Kobarid
Duration: 25 minutes
Length: 750 meters
Height difference: 105 meters
This walk is part of the Soška pot. It leads you along some of the most interesting and beautiful parts of the Soča river. It links together four of the locations mentioned above. Spending some time at nice places along the way can easily make this a full-day walk.
A “Soča day” as we call it.
Starting point: The road from Bovec to Kranjska Gora, parking lot at kilometer post 14,0
Duration: 4 hours and 20 minutes
Length: 16 kilometers
Height difference: 100 meters
Click here for the Soča trail (Soška pot) extracts details page