Soča/Isonzo Valley in 5 days

If you are arriving at the source of the Soča river from Slovenia or Austria, you will most likely start with one of the most spectacular drives in Slovenia, the Vršič Pass. The road was built during WWI for the supplies to the Austro-Hungarian troops on the Isonzo front. The Fifty hairpin bends are a challenge for drivers and cyclists alike, but the reward is abundant. You are surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. In autumn in particular, you will see the fiery colours of the deciduous larch trees.

There are plenty of legends connected with Trenta, named after the three gods. The scenery and the majestic mountains invite imagination to run wild. Trenta is a great starting point for the many mountain hikes. There is plenty to see in the valley, following the Soča river trail: the 25km trail from the source of the river to Bovec will take you via the Great and Small Soča gorges to the confluence of the Koritnica river. Here you can see Fort Kluže, a strategic point since the 15th century. There was a fort here to protect the valley from Turkish invasions, Napoleon and finally Italian forces during WWI.

Bovec boasts as the adventure capital of Slovenia. Soča river and its tributaries lend themselves to kayaking, rafting, canyoning and fly fishing. Hiking and mountain biking are popular in summertime while in winter you can go two-country skiing at the Kanin-Sella Nevea Ski Resort.

Following the road to Kobarid, stopping at Kozjak Waterfall is a must. One of the most beautiful waterfalls impresses with the open cave setting with filtered light where the water falls 15 m into a clear turquoise pool.

The lower course of the Sočariver starts at Tolmin. Here, you can visit another gorge, this time of the Tolminka river. The visit will take you to some evocatively named sights: Bear’s Head, Dante’s Cave, Devil’s Bridge and will be the last opportunity to see the beautifully clear waters of the Soča and her tributaries.

 One can walk from the Slovene Gorica to Italian Gorizia. There are signs of the former border, such as in Transalpina Square with used to be divided between the two countries. Similarly resonant are the remains of the once wealthy Jewish community and the museum in the synagogue.  

The Reserve of Isonzo Mouth is recognized as the best area for birdwatching in Italy and there are many observation huts allowing visitors to observe and photograph the various bird species. These include migratory birds such as Canada goose, teal, mallard and mute swan. 

The park has introduced Camargue horses who live free, just as they do in the native France.

 The mouth of Isonzo is in Grado Lagoon, named after a small historic town in the northern Adriatic. It was built in Roman times as a port town for the nearby Aquileia. In 452 many of the locals took refuge on the largest of the islands in protection from the Hun invasions. The island town declined in importance with the rise of Venice and reconstruction of Aquileia and remained under Venetian rule until the Napoleonic period. Today it is a pleasant seaside resort and a nice spot to finish the Isonzo journey.