Hiking along the Soca Trail
The Soca Trail is a very scenografic and pretty easy walking trail. It stretches for about 25 kilometres along the Soca river, in Slovenia.
The walk is one of the 43 segments of the Alpe Adria Trail, one of the longest trails in the area. Stretching for about 750 kilometres between Slovenia, Italy and Austria
Getting to the Start of the Soca Trail
The starting point of the trail is the source of the river, located above the touristy city of Bovec. Where the trail ends. Depending on your itinerary, you could reach the river either from Bovec or the town of Kranjska Gora. Located at the other side of the scenic Vrisc Pass, and its windy road.
By public Transports
A public bus runs between the two towns twice a day in every direction in june and september. And every couple of hours in July and August. The journey between the two takes about 1 and an half hours, and the ticket costs a couple of euros.
There is a bus stop right at the start of the trail. So you can simply take the bus from one of the two towns (or wherever you are along the way), and walk your way down to Bovec from there.
Since the bus does not run very often, you can also hitchhike there. There is basically only one road, so it pretty much everyone will drive along your same way. Most of them will be travellers or locals going to one city to the other. In both cases likely nice people willing to help you
Driving your own vehicle
If you are driving your own vehicle instead, you can either choose to park your car at the Source, and then hitchhike or take the bus back up. Or leave your car in town and then jump on the fist morning bus.
If you have the possibility to drive I really recommend you to do the whole pass. The road is very pleasant, especially by motorbike. Not surprisingly all the area is full of groups of riders!
You can also do it by bike. But be ready for a steep and endless climb.
No need to mention, this itinerary needs to be done in summer. Apparently alpine passes and river crosses don’t do very well in the colder months!
When I went there we were travelling by car. Coming from Kranjska Gora, we decided to drive along the Vrsic in early morning. Park close to the source, spend the night in Bovec and then go back up the following morning. Since I wasn’t sure about the actual chanches to get a lift, we decided to start making our way before the first bus. Just to make sure to have a possibility to reaching the car. But after about 20 minutes we managed to get a lift from a nice Slovenian couple driving from Bovec to Kranjska. I had to use google translator all the time, but it was fun overall!
And I got the chance to introduce my travel buddy to the
wonderful hitchhiking world, as a friend of mine did it with me in Lapland
Heading to the Soca River Source
Starting from the little area with the carpark and bus stop. Note that to visit the actual source you have to go a bit further up, before making your way down the actual trail.
The path to the source is short but quite difficult. And the source itself is just a hole in the mountain, filled with very blue water.
We almost missed it, but luckily I got the possibility to go there when we came back to the car.
When looking for the itinerary on line I’ve seen pictures of some tricky equipped passages. I have obviously been looking for them for the whole trail. But the only challenging part is actually the way to the source. The rest of the trail is very easy to follow, and mostly flat.
Follow the path down the Soca River
After a short little track through the forest, the main part of the trails runs just between the river and the road. Which you will have to cross a couple of times. I admit I found it a bit boring, and definitely not as scenic as expected. With the only exception of some nice rope bridges.
But heading further down the path gets definitely nicer. Going a bit away from the road, and closer to the river.
The best part are probably the narrow gorges. Visible from the above in several viewpoints. And the nice beach and swimming spots located right at the end of them.
Since the trail stretches most of the time along the road, you can also choose to walk only one or more parts of it. Or even only visit the nicest spots. Most of them are pointed out from the driveway with signs, and have a carpark not far from them. And oftentimes also a bus stop nearby.
In any case, do not miss the chance to jump in the beautiful turquoise waters! Probably as freezing cold as beautiful. But still enjoyable during a long summer walk.
Possibly not with your shoes on, as I accidentally did at the very beginning on the hike.
Just remember to bring some food and water. There are a few fountains along the way, but definitely not as many as I was expecting on a path along the river. And drinking water is the only weight I don’t really mind carrying on my back.
Unless you are willing to get it straight from the river, of course. Not ideal, but at least it’s not salty!
After the gorges the river starts to get always wider. But without losing its water’s clarity, and offering always more comfortable swimming spots.
The very last bit of walk pass through a Campsite located just outside Bovec. About a few minutes walk from the town.
The whole hike should take something between 6 and 7 hours, depending also on the length of your stops (if you are going to make any)..
I personally couldn’t resist a couple of quick dives along the way, especially in the most beautiful swimming spots!
In any case try to start your itinerary as early as possible, especially if you need to somehow make your way back in on the same day.
If you have the time and possibility, I would however suggest to spend the night in Bovec, and take it easier. Even if that means having to carry some stuff in your backpack.
Finally reaching Bovec
Bovec is a small but quite touristy town. Visited especially by those looking for Adventures along the Soca river. Such as Rafting, kayaking or Canyoneering. But also some nice walks exploring the beautiful nature and discovering hidden waterfalls.
I basically only spent there one night, staying in a nice hostel located pretty much in the centre. Also the campsite we walked through seemed very nice, and really adventure oriented.
In general the town is quite touristy, and full of eateries and accommodations. And also hosts a couple of supermarkets
Adventures around Bovec
The rafting and the other adventures along the Soca river are slightly more expensive than the ones offered in the Sava valley, the easier to reach departing from the famous Bled.
However, the Soca waters seems to be more fun and challenging, while the quiet Sava better fits families and kids.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to try any of them, as when I got there the water level was pretty low. The tours were obviously still running, but I’ve heard from other people that it wasn’t that fun. It was the end of the summer, and the best period for this kind of activities in usually around springtime.
Final thoughts about the Trail
I admit I was initially a bit disappointed by the track, as I was hoping in something a bit more adventurous. Especially after the challenging climb of the mt Mangart. But as the last hike of my Slovenian trip, the easy walk turned out to be just perfect. With the only exception of the little path to the source, I do not remember any difficult passage. And even the little up and downs are never too steep or challenging. So I would say it could be achievable by pretty much everyone.
As long as he’s willing to walk for 25 kilometres of course!
But if you are looking for something more adventurous, definitely look somewhere else.
With the Triglav National Park and all the Slovenian mountains so close by, you will only have the embarrassment of choice!
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