SOČA VALLEY, SLOVENIA
The beautiful Soča river, which flows at the foot of the Julian Alps, by the Italian border has carved an exhilarating valley and has some of the most gorgeous waters in Europe.
The region covers 942 km2 and is divided into three municipalities: Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin. Part of the area is inside the Triglav National Park. It has also seen much history, most famously the WWI Soča Front, which is presented with rare tact in the Kobarid Museum. The memory of the battles also lives on in the outdoor museums – six are dotted along the 100 km long Walk of Peace.
The picturesque nature of the valley makes it a paradise for water sports on the river Soča (rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hydro-speed, canyoning, etc.), para-gliders, fly-fishers, rock climbers, hikers and mountain bikers. The Soča valley also has the Juliana alpine botanical garden and is attractive for naturalists and botanists. Marked trails lead to numerous natural landmarks, like the gorges of the Soča and Tolminka, and the Kozjak waterfall.
The old traditions still live in the family restaurants and taverns, where you can try the food of our forebears, like the »Kobarški štruklji«, »Bovški krafi«, home-made polenta, alpine cheese and cottage cheese, prepared in a modern way. A special experience is discovering and tasting the living ethnological heritage of the Tolminc cheese, which has been made in the traditional way on the local alpine pastures for centuries.
Soča Valley is the home of many festivals that take place throughout the year; JESTIVAL – Food & Art festival, Čomparska noč, Frika Festival, sport festivals like the Soča Outdoor Festival, Hiking festival, Podbrdo Trail Running Festival and music festivals such as Metaldays, Punk Rock Holiday, Overjam international Reggae festival, Orkester kamp and the International Music Forum Trenta.
Soca Valley
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Top things to do
in Soca Valley
Visit the Natural Monuments of the Valley
The beautiful SOČA RIVER, which flows at the foot of the Julian Alps, by the Italian border has carved an exhilarating valley and has some of the most gorgeous waters in Europe. The TOLMIN GORGES are the lowest and southernmost entry point into the Triglav National. The most prominent attractions are the wedged rock named Bear's Head and the Devil’s Bridge The picturesque KOZJAK WATERFALL is caught in a stony amphitheatre not far away from Kobarid. It can be reached by an easy walking path by the riverbed of the emerald Soča River.The NADIŽA RIVER has carved out pools and gorges, as well as depositing numerous shingle beaches. It is one of the cleanest and warmest Alpine rivers.
Outdoor Sports
Its unspoiled nature makes the Soča Valley a European outdoor epicentre that offers a complete infrastructure for adrenaline and active programmes, from agencies to guide services and accompanying services, including all of the necessary equipment for the most unusual requests. The destination has been attracting guests interested in active holidays and adrenaline challenges for many years now, but at the same time caters for those seeking more peaceful pursuits and contact with nature through other sports on the Soča, such as fishing and hiking, as well as exploring the area’s rich history. The picturesque nature of the valley makes it a paradise for water sports on the river Soča (rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hydro-speed, canyoning, etc.), para-gliders, fly-fishers, rock climbers, hikers and mountain bikers.
Discover the rich History of the Soča Valley
"Kobarški štruklji" and "Bovški krafi", home-made polenta, alpine cow cheese and cottage cheese, prepared in a modern way. A special experience is discovering and tasting the living ethnological heritage of the Tolminc cheese, which has been made in the traditional way on the local alpine pastures for centuries. The DAIRY MUSEUM “Od planine do Planike” is a museum of the Dairy Planika that has developed its delicious products from the many-centuries-long dairy tradition of the upper Soča valley.
Taste the local food
KOBARID MUSEUM displays exhibits on the events that occurred during World War I on the Soška fronta - Isonzo Front and has received the highest national award, was proclaimed Best European Museum, and won the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 1993. JAVORCA, MEMORIAL CHURCH of the Holy Spirit is dedicated to fallen Austro-Hungarian defenders of the Tolmin battlefield on the Soča (Isonzo) Front (1915–1917).The KLUŽE FORT is an important monument to the defence against Turkish invasions, Napoleon's army and attacks during World War One.
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