Snowshoeing in Bovec

Snow has covered the mountains today. We can hardly wait for it to fall in the valley too. Why? Because this place is beautiful when covered with the thick white blanket. And because we are anxious to get out our skis, skates, sleds and... Snowshoes!

Snowshoeing isn't new. Actually, it's really old.

In the past, snowshoes were essential for anyone who depended on getting around in areas of deep and frequent snowfall. They remain necessary equipment for forest workers and others who must get around on foot when the snow is deep.

Today, snowshoes are mainly used for recreation by hikers and runners who like to practice their sport also in wintertime.

Although the climate of Soča valley is mild, here in the northern part winters are often rich with snowfall. The alpine valleys of Triglav national park are ideal for snowshoeing: peaceful, wild and remote. Trenta, Loška Koritnica, Bavšica are only a few of them.

You can now go snowshoeing in Bovec and the Julian alps with a local guide. He'll give you the gear and show you around. And night snowshoeing is certanly a must-try. You'll be surprised how clear the winter nights are and how bright the stars. It gets dark pretty early anyway, so you might as well go out and do stuff. If you're confident enough, you can rent snowshoes and spend a day in deep snow by yourself. Just be careful out there.

Night snowshoeing

Night snowshoeing

Snowshoeing in Julian alps

Snowshoe trail

Snowshoeing in Bovec, Soca valley

Hiking around Bovec!

Bovec area offers unlimited opportunities for hiking and walks in the unspoiled nature of the Julian Alps, besides climbing, MTB and adrenaline sports... Many routes around of Bovec, Žaga, Srpenica, Loga pod Mangrtom, Soče and Trente are marked, protected, and provide nice views to the streams, waterfalls, quiet forest and a number of alpine flowers and animals that live in this beautiful part of Slovenia. You can find inspiring hiking trails almost anywhere in the valley, so short walks are a guaranteed opportunity! For different hikes, seeightseeing along the valley and mountainiring a car is needed to reach the points of interest and starting points of the hiking trails, but as I said, no matter where you stay, there are walks only minutes away from your location, if you are on foot!
If you would really like to get the most out of your visit to the Soča valley, you will need a car, bike or any other kind of transport! It was posible to get a taxi in Bovec once, I am not sure if still is. However, a better option is to hitchike or catch a bus - be sure to check the schedules!

Your interests and plans for the visit of the Soča valley will probably be unique and different - adrenaline sports, hiking, mountains, sightseeing, fishing... Talking in general here are some quick suggestions what to see, when in the Soča valley:

It is nice to check out and enjoy the vonders at the different parts of the valley - therefore a car is recommended! For example: seeightseeing and visiting the Kluže fortres, Javorca church, Drežnica, Soča at Kobarid and musemu of WWI. If the weather is nice, during the summer I suggest swimming in Nadiža river (near Kobarid) or sunbathing anywhere near Soča river (the temperatures of the Soča are normally below 10 C°; Nadiža gets to around 20 C°)! If you like adrenaline sports you will find tourist-sport offices anywhere in Bovec, it already looks more like a tourist-sport office town/village:) If you like the mountains, you will probably have problems deciding which to climb! Stol, Kanin, Rombon, Krn, Mangart, Triglav...!? Kanin (2587 m) can be accessed by the 6-km-long cable car, you can just relax and enjoy the views at app. 2200m. Mangart and Stol are high accessible with a car. The road to Stol starts near Žaga. You definetly have to see waterfall Boka (also near Žaga) and maybe have a walk around a trail leading above Žaga. Of course you also should not leave out Trenta valley... There are unlimited opportunities on what to do and what to see, so you will have to pick by yourself! Here is a list of some more places and hiking trails worth seeing (most of the pictures are already on the blog):

Loška Koritnica

Bavšica
Lepena
Vrsnik
Zadnjica
Zadnja Trenta / Zapoden
Mangrtska planina
Okolica Bovca
Slap Boka

Potok Sušec / Srpenica

And some suggested marked hiking trails - maps available in Bovec tourist office:
Log pod Mangrtom (L1)

Žaga (S1A)

Zadnjica (T6)

Plužna (B2)
Bavšica (B5b)

... and some guided adventures: hiking in Bovec

5 Suggestions - What To Do, When In Soča valley?

We have prepared 5 ideas for spending active and diverse holidays in Soca valley...

Rafting or kayaking on the Soča river or canyoning in Sušec
& a picnic by the Soča

Rafting, a downstream trip in a rugged, inflatable rubber boat with a group of people - a very attractive way of experiencing the river`s nature. Participants do not need any prior paddling skills, in a few minutes they get accustomed to the role of a coordinated paddling team, enjoying the adrenaline river...

Canyoning is another way of experiencing nature in an adventurous way. A tour through an untouched chasm offering no view to the outside world, across waterfalls and through pools that fascinate with their crystal clear water...

...a list of sports and tourist agancies! and where to stay!

In winter: skiing on Kanin and night sledding on the Mangart or the Stol Mt.
In summer: exploring one of the numerous walking trails or MTB-ing...

Kanin is the only ski resort in Slovenia, that can boast slopes higher than 2000 m. It is an Alpine ski resort, where the skiing season runs from December through early May. The Kanin ski area is recognised for its sunny location and breathtaking view that stretches from the heart of the Julian ALps to the Adriatic Sea... Ascending the 2000 m high mountain, where you can walk a trail, MTB, hike, visit a mountain lodge, or simply enjoy the beauty of the mountains, is incredibly easy with the cable car. Vistit: www.kanin.si

In the dark, illuminated by torches and headlamps, under the bright stars in the sky above, sleds are rushing through the tranquil winter night.Sledding courses down Mangart road, as well as Možnica, Javoršček Road, Stol near Žaga and the road from Lepoč pasture will satisfy sledders of all tastes.

Biking on Mangart mountain and visiting the Mangart alpine meadow
or the Kanin mountain biking park



Recreational bikers will be blown away by easy, appreciably organized trails with minor elevation changes, while the more experienced will be fascinated by the diverse terrain. At this point, we must again mention the Kanin MTB park, a heaven for mountain biking enthusiasts. If only the workers and keepers here would share the enthusiasm...

Walking trail to Krn Lake

The Bovec area is a paradise for walking trails. Many trails arround Bovec, Srpenica, Žaga, Log pod Mangrtom, Soča and Trenta, that are marked and secured, offer unlimited pleasures of watching the streams and waterfalls, flora and favna, etc., and will fascinate you with their indigenousness and wilderness.

...Krn iz Lepene - potopis! A must see, if do not know how to get on Krn...

Visiting the Ravelnik museum, Kluže fortress
and Kobarid museum or one of the numerous world war one collections...

Military cemeteries, monuments and memorials will remind you of semi-historic times. The ruins of fortresses and bunkers, well perserved "mulatiers" and parts of the front are a reminder that something like that should never happen again. You can also choose to visit private museum collections, already mentioned...

The choice which path you take, is yours!