Visiting the Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin area is definitely a great choice for a day trip. There are some really wonderful natural and cultural attractions in the area, like the beautiful Soca river, the world renowned World War I Museum in Kobarid, the Kozjak waterfall near Kobarid (which is famous for an underground chamber with a pool of emerald water), Tolmin gorges, Boka and Virje Waterfalls near Bovec, Ossuary of Italian Soldiers in Kobarid, and Fort Kluze near Bovec.
River Soca (click here to read more about the Soca river)
The Soca or Isonzo is a 138-kilometre long river that flows through western Slovenia and northeastern Italy. It is one of the most beautiful and cleanest rivers in Europe. The pristine beauty of this emerald river attracts nature lovers, photographers and water-sports enthusiasts from all around the world and it truly is a nature’s paradise.
The magically aquamarine Soca River. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
The Soca is known as Slovenia’s emerald river due to its astonishing turquoise-green colour. (photo: Ciril Jazbec / slovenia.info)
The name Emerald River is not overselling Soca River. The colors are really unbelievable and make you think of jewels: sometimes Emerald, sometimes aquamarine but never boring. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Swimming in the Soca river is an amazing experience not to be missed. (photo: Alex Strohl / slovenia.info)
If you visit Slovenia then Soca River is one of a must see attractions. (photo: Alen Kosmac / slovenia.info)
Kobarid World War I Museum
The World War I Museum in Kobarid is a great little museum full of interesting information and artifacts from World War I that took place in this area that you won’t find anywhere else. A very informative film is part of the visit with many languages available. Definitely worth an hour or so if you are in the Kobarid area, since the history is so significant.
Address: Gregorciceva ulica 10, 5222 Kobarid, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.246284, 13.580928
GPS coordinates: 46° 14′ 46.6224” N 13° 34′ 51.3408” E
A stop at Kobarid World War I Museum is the best place to explain the Soca River front line, one of the toughest front lines in World War I history. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
The museum is devoted almost entirely to the Soca Front of the First World War. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
Themed rooms describe the 29 months of fighting, and there’s even a 20-minute video, available in 10 languages, that gives context. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Tolmin Gorge
Tolmin Gorge is one of many beautiful places you can visit in northwestern Slovenia. Walk along the crystal clear Tolminka River, photograph the moss-covered canyons, and walk on a suspension bridge high above the gorge.
Tolmin Gorge opening hours: at least 9am to 5pm in Spring/Autumn and at least 8:30am to 7pm in Summer – closed from November to roughly mid march.
Address: Zatolmin 66a, 5220 Tolmin, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.198044, 13.740151
GPS coordinates: 46° 11′ 51.1908” N 13° 44′ 22.8732” E
Located in the South of the Triglav National Park, the Tolmin Gorge is a breathtaking natural attraction with narrow canyons, crystal-clear water and the confluence of 2 rivers. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
The 2 kilometre walk through the gorge isn’t too long but in that short amount of time visitors get a few stunningly gorgeous spots along the trail. (photo: Michael Matti / slovenia.info)
The Tolmin Gorge walk is a bit tiring but not really difficult. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Once you have paid for entrance, the team gives a map with all the points of interest and explanations. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
The Tolmin Gorge trail offers really dramatic views down to the waters. Visitors are going to walk on a small path just next to the high rocky walls. (photo: Marco Coppo / slovenia.info)
The Tolminka river has carved its path in the limestone. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
From the viewing platform you can admire the narrow canyon where River Tolminka is flowing.. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Kozjak Waterfall
The very unique Kozjak Waterfall, or Slap Kozjak as it’s called in Slovenian, is one of the most scenic nature spots to visit in the country. It’s located not far away from the town of Kobarid and can be reached by a relatively easy hike. A short trail leads through a gorgeous scenery of vast green meadows, next to the beautiful Soca River and inside a forest and, at the end, the magnificent Kozjak Waterfall lies in a cave-like area.
Address: Kozjak, 5222 Kobarid, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.259393, 13.590211
GPS coordinates: 46° 15′ 33.7824” N 13° 35′ 24.7488” E
Many people agree that the Kozjak waterfall is one of the most impressive ones in Slovenia and beyond. (photo: Marco Coppo / slovenia.info)
You’ll see why the Kozjak waterfall feels like a hidden jewel. It’s easily accessible, yet so well hidden it pumps up your expectations and rewards you with a huge surprise at the and. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
The photogenic, 15m-high Kozjak Waterfall gushes over a rocky ledge in a cavern-like amphitheatre, into a green pool below. And the best thing is – you can swim in the water (expect around 11°C in the summer). (photo: Iztok Medja / slovenia.info)
A fifteen-meter-high stream of clear water falls into the emerald green pool. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)
First you walk along the emerald Soca river, cross a couple of small wooden bridges and at the end climb along a wooden boardwalk built off the rock-face, and as you turn the corner around that rock you find yourself in a half-cave dome where you finally see the stunning waterfall. (photo: Tomo Jesenicnik / slovenia.info)
Boka Waterfall
The magnificent Boka waterfall is located not far away from the town of Bovec. It’s one of the most fluid and the most spectacular waterfalls in Slovenia. Its volume varies depending on the season and amount of rain, but the waterfall is most worth visiting in the late spring when the snow melts and up to a hundred tons of water per second falls into the depths. One of the great benefits of the Boka waterfall is that it can be clearly seen from the road from Zaga to Bovec, so you can do the walk and get closer if you have time (a short walk from the road up a clear trail brings you to a good view point of the waterfall), but you can also jump out of the car and have a look from a bit further away if you are in a hurry.
Address: Zaga 156a, 5224 Srpenica, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.32320, 13.48363
GPS coordinates: 46° 18′ 58.7196” N 13° 29′ 39.1488” E
Considered one of the mightiest falls in the country, the tall and wide Boka waterfall is visible from the main road near the town of Bovec. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Virje Waterfall
The Virje waterfall is a great place for people looking for relaxation and photographers. The Glijun stream boasts a multi-stranded waterfall 12 meters in height and 20 meters in width. Below, there is a beautiful pool in shades of green. If you are brave you can take a swim in the pool under the falls, it’s very refreshing. A nice trail from the small car park takes you to the waterfall. Follow the B2 signposts along the road from the village of Pluzna towards the artificial lake (hydroelectric power plant). Just before you reach the bridge over the Glijun stream, you will see a wide trail that branches off to the left and downwards (about 50 meters).
Address: Pluzna 54, 5230 Bovec, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.334948, 13.514154
GPS coordinates: 46° 20′ 4.0776” N 13° 30′ 48.0240” E
The water delicately flows against the rock for 12 meters. Because of the humidity many plants and lichens have grown on the rockwall with different shades of green. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Not much power, no big drop, but a small enchanting creek. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)
Two gorgeous emerald pools with crystal clear water have formed at the bottom of the Virje Waterfall. (photo: Alan Kosmac / slovenia.info)
Kluze Fort
An imposing Kluze Fortress stands at a very strategic location at the top of a narrow canyon north of Bovec. Incredible history took place here. The fort became a key part of the Austro-Hungarian defense of the area in the First World War. The drive up to the area is beautiful and the views of the surrounding valleys and mountains are awesome. Inside there is a smaller tourist office, a presentation of the history of the fortress and its surroundings, a local painting gallery and a wedding hall. A lovely cafe is available too! Very interesting and a must stop if you’re interested in this type of historical reference. The fort is opened from May 1st to October 31st between 10.00 to 17.00 (in July and August between 09.00 to 20.00). Entrance fee is €3.
Address: Ravni Laz 16, 5230 Bovec, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.361276, 13.589631
GPS coordinates: 46° 21′ 40.1364” N 13° 35′ 23.6400” E
The original fortress was built in 1472 near Bovec.
Ossuary Of Italian Soldiers
The largest ossuary of Italian soldiers who fell during World War I in Slovenia is arranged at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua above Kobarid. It was opened by Mussolini in 1935. An asphalt road leads to the ossuary. On two terraces there are niches with the posthumous remains of fallen Italian soldiers. They are sealed by slabs of green marble, engraved with the name, military rank and any medals of each individual fallen soldier. It’s a great place to sit quietly and reflect. From the top, you have stunning views of the valley, town of Kobarid and the Soca River.
Address: Pot na gradic 5, 5222 Kobarid, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.247100, 13.584116
GPS coordinates: 46° 14′ 51.5544” N 13° 34′ 59.5128” E
This ossuary contains the remains of 7.014 Italian soldiers from the First World War. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
Javorca Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit
The Javorca Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit is a beautiful little church that feels more like a memorial than a church. It was built during the World War I and is the only memorial church of the Austro-Hungarian army in the area of the Isonzo front preserved until today. The church is located twelve kilometers from Tolmin past Zatolmin along the chutes of the Tolminka River to Polog. To get to the church you either have a half an hour hike or a very interesting drive on a not tarmacked road for 7 kilometres, but don’t be put off, it is worth it. The church is opened from mid April to November 1st between 10.00 to 17.00. Can be closed on rainy days. At the period when church is closed, you can borrow the key at the Tolmin tourist information center. Entrance fee is only a few Euros.
Address: Zatolmin 75, 5220 Tolmin, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.234806, 13.719915
GPS coordinates: 46° 14′ 9.4200” N 13° 43′ 9.0840” E
The memorial church of the Holy Spirit in Javorca is a wooden sacred place which was built between 1915 and 1917 in remembrance of the fallen Austro-Hungarian defenders. (photo: Janko Humar / slovenia.info)
The interior of the church of Javorca is really worth a visit. All the 2564 names of the soldiers who felt in the battlefields in the area are written on wooden walls-boards. On each side of the altar are large painted angels and everything is decorated in a gorgeous blue Viennese Secession style. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
The church is a masterpiece of art and a symbol of peace. (photo: Bojan Kolman)
The church of Javorca is located in the secluded mountainous region of Tolmin inside the Triglav National Park. (photo: Ales Zdesar / slovenia.info)
The church has received the European Heritage Label in 2018. (photo: Jost Gantar / slovenia.info)
To visit the Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin area from Apartments Fine Stay, we suggest you make a circle around the region and you have two options. You can go over the Vrsic Mountain Pass or you can go over the Predil Mountain Pass.
Option 1 over Vrsic pass: make a circle Apartments Fine Stay – Jesenice – Kranjska Gora – Vrsic pass – Trenta – Bovec – Kobarid – Tolmin – Most na Soci – Podbrdo – Sorica pass – Bohinjska Bistrica – Bled – Apartments Fine Stay. The circle is 200 kilometres drive. Driving will take you about 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Option 2 over Predil pass: make a circle Apartments Fine Stay – Jesenice – Kranjska Gora – Ratece/Fusine – Trbiz/Tarvisio (IT) – Predel/Predil – Bovec – Kobarid – Tolmin – Most na Soci – Podbrdo – Sorica pass – Bohinjska Bistrica – Bled – Apartments Fine Stay. The circle is 210 kilometres drive. Driving will take you about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
To visit the Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin area from Apartments Fine Stay Bled, we also suggest you make a circle around the region and you have two options. You can go over the Vrsic Mountain Pass or you can go over the Predil Mountain Pass.
Option 1 over Vrsic pass: make a circle Apartments Fine Stay Bled – Jesenice – Kranjska Gora – Vrsic pass – Trenta – Bovec – Kobarid – Tolmin – Most na Soci – Podbrdo – Sorica pass – Bohinjska Bistrica – Bled – Apartments Fine Stay Bled. The circle is 199 kilometres drive. Driving will take you about 4 hours and 5 minutes.
Option 2 over Predil pass: make a circle Apartments Fine Stay Bled – Jesenice – Kranjska Gora – Ratece/Fusine – Trbiz/Tarvisio (IT) – Predel/Predil – Bovec – Kobarid – Tolmin – Most na Soci – Podbrdo – Sorica pass – Bohinjska Bistrica – Bled – Apartments Fine Stay Bled. The circle is 202 kilometres drive. Driving will take you about 3 hours and 50 minutes.
