Things to Do in Bovec

The emerald-green Soca River winds through Slovenia’s Julian Alps and lures adventure sports enthusiasts with its abundance of river sports and mountain activities. The Soca Valley, including the adventure hotspot towns of Bovec and Kobarid, was also one of the major fronts in World War I and evidence of the conflict can still be seen here.

Flowing through the Trenta Valley in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, the Soca (also known as the Isonzo) is one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers. The Soca River is known for its narrow, rocky gorges, hidden canyons, waterfalls, and striking emerald color, which gives the river its nickname the “Emerald Beauty.”

Kozjak Waterfall (Slap Kozjak) is close to the village of Kobarid in the foothills of the Julian Alps in western Slovenia, close to the border with Italy. Access to the waterfall is along an undemanding and clearly signposted 20-minute trail overlooking the clear, turquoise waters of the Soča River, which is backed by lush alpine forest.

On its way down Mount Krnčica (7,028 ft (2,142 m)) to join the Soča, the Kozjak River flows through karst landscapes pockmarked with caves and throws itself over six limestone gorges. The lowest of these waterfalls is the spectacular Kozjak cascade, which plunges 50 ft (15-m) through a narrow ravine into a deep blue pool formed as the force of the water has eroded the cliffs around it into a hollow, rounded cavern. The falls are at their most impressive in spring after the snow melts and make a scenic swimming spot in summer; the river itself is a popular destination for kayakers, rafters and canyoners.

The Kozjak Waterfall forms part of a circular walk that takes in all of the historic sights around Kobarid, including World War I bunkers and the Napoleon Bridge. This was built in 1750 and is so-named as Napoleon and his troops crossed it on their way to Predel Pass, where a battle took place against the Austrians in 1809.