Soča Valley

The Soča Valley region (Posočje) stretches from Triglav National Park to Nova Gorica, including the outdoor activity centres of Bovec and Kobarid. Threading through it is the magically aquamarine Soča River. Most people come here for the rafting, hiking and skiing, though there are plenty of historical sights and locations, particularly relating to WWI, when millions of troops fought on the mountainous battlefront here; between the wars, the Soča Valley fell under Italian jurisdiction. Another big drawcard is the food – Kobarid is the epicentre of the region's growing culinary reputation.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Soča Valley.

  • Waterfall

    Boka Waterfall

    With a sheer vertical drop of 106m (and a second drop of 30m), Boka is the highest waterfall in Slovenia – and it's especially stunning in the spring, when snowmelt gives it extra oomph. It's 5.5km southwest of Bovec – you can drive or cycle to the area and park by the bridge, then walk about 15 minutes to the viewpoint.

  • Church

    Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit

    This fascinating stone-and-wood church, north of Tolmin, has a wonderful location that commands sweeping views down an Alpine valley. Decorated by Remigius Geyling, contemporary and friend of Gustav Klimt, it was built in the early 20th century to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire who died along the Soča Front; the 20 coats of arms that adorn the exterior reference 20 of the empire's provinces.

  • Museum

    Kobarid Museum

    This museum is devoted almost entirely to the Soča Front and the ‘war to end all wars’. Themed rooms describe powerfully the 29 months of fighting, and there's a 20-minute video (available in 10 languages) that gives context. There are many photos documenting the horrors of the front, military charts, diaries and maps, and two large relief displays showing the front lines and offensives through the Krn Mountains and the positions in the Upper Soča Valley.

  • Nature Reserve

    Tolmin Gorges

    A scenic river confluence is found here, at the southernmost entry point of Triglav National Park. The ticket kiosk is a 2km walk northeast of Tolmin town (by road, follow the signs to Zatolmin), and the circular walk through the gorges formed by the Tolminka and Zadlaščica Rivers takes about an hour. A short detour off the main path leads to the much-photographed Medvedova glava, a wedged rock in the shape of a bear’s head.

  • Castle

    Kluže Fortress

    Built by the Austrians in 1882 on the site of a 17th-century fortress above a 70m ravine on the Koritnica River, Kluže Fortress is 4km northeast of Bovec. It was the site of an Austro-Hungarian garrison during WWI, right behind the front line of the Isonzo battlefield. Exhibitions outline its turbulent history. Even more dramatic is the upper fortress, Fort Hermann, built in 1900 halfway up Mt Rombon to the west.

  • Waterfall

    Kozjak Waterfall

    One of the region's loveliest short walking trails (approximately 30 minutes) leads to the photogenic, 15m-high Kozjak Waterfall, which gushes over a rocky ledge in a cavern-like amphitheatre, into a green pool below. Access the trail from various spots: from a footbridge from Kamp Lazar campground, or from a car park opposite Kamp Koren. Alternatively, it's part of the Kobarid Historical Trail.

  • Village

    Most na Soči

    The name of this settlement 5km south of Tolmin literally means ‘Bridge on the Soča River’. The village (population 430) sits, in fact, on a beautiful aquamarine lake – surprisingly, it’s an artificial lake at the confluence of the Soča and Idrijca Rivers, created by a nearby hydroplant. It’s a super-scenic place to pause for a lakeside walk or for some boating; rowboats and kayaks can be hired.

  • Cable Car

    Kanin Cable Car

    This cable car whisks you up to the Bovec Kanin Ski Centre in a number of stages. It's most often used as an access for winter skiing or summer activities, but it's equally rewarding for sightseers – the views from the top station and en route are sweepingly beautiful. In summer, in particular, the last departure heading up the mountain can be as early as 2pm, so it's usually best to visit in the morning.

  • Mausoleum

    Italian Charnel House

    Take the winding road up the hill and lined with the Stations of the Cross to the Italian Charnel House, which contains the bones of more than 7000 Italian soldiers killed on the Soča Front. It's topped by the 17th-century Church of St Anthony.