Seasoned travelers know that Slovenia is underrated, often overshadowed by its neighboring countries of Italy, Switzerland, and Croatia. However, the days of its magical beauty remaining under appreciated may soon be over. As the nation begins wooing remote workers with its new digital nomad visa, its natural treasures, like its oldest natural park that rivals the Dolomites, will be getting a lot more traffic and appreciation. Another of these hidden gems, at least as of now, is an turquoise blue
river that European travel expert Rick Steves himself praised. The alpine Soča River stretches over 85 miles and starts at a karst source in Trenta in the Julian Alps. The river has fascinating lore around it, as it was believed that when an evil water spitter arrived in Trenta, the region's gods (Triglav, Jalovec, and Mangart) tied him up in a cave with his mouth open so water could flood out of it. Legend has it that when he serves his sentence and leaves, the river will dry up.
Until that happens, the Soča River will remain one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, especially for fans of the adventurous outdoors. The Soca Valley stretches from Triglav National Park in Northwest Slovenia to Nova Gorica, a town on the Italian border, and packs so much natural beauty, outdoor fun, and water activities into its every landscape — "This mecca for kayakers and other whitewater adventurers is known as 'Adrenaline Valley,'" writes Rick Steves on his website. And indeed, Soča River, and the larger Soča Valley, are a prime spot for kayaking, rafting, canyoning, and fly fishing.
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Feel The Adrenaline Rush Of The Water Activities Of Soča River
Begin your adventurous journey down the Soča River at its source and enjoy the numerous activities that Triglav National Park has to offer. In a small country full to the brim with natural beauty and outdoor opportunities, and containing gems like one of the world's largest underground canyons, this spot is a must-visit for those itching to go out there and have a taste of adrenaline. Visitors are allowed to go kayaking on the river from April 1 to October 31, which is also the best time to visit Soča Valley weather-wise, and you can choose between different entry-exit points depending on your skill level: Velika korita, Bunkerji, Kršovec, and Zmuklica are the options you have — at the Zmuklica access point, you even have the opportunity to go diving as its pools reach over 427 feet in depth.
As you move down the river, you will find the quaint town of Bovec, where you can rest, spend a night, and enjoy warm plates of local food in its inns, and prepare for even more adventure as Bovec happens to be the starting point of many kayaking trips, as well as courses, tours, and schools to help you get the most out of your holiday. If you're not very experienced with water sports, going with a tour operator or instructor is always a good idea, and luckily, there's no shortage of options in Bovec. Prices start at around $69 per person, and they start around 2.5 hours and go to sometimes around 10 hours, allowing you ample time to get your feet wet and become familiar with the sport and the setting.
Other Activities To Try Out Along The Soča River
The beauty of the Soča River extends beyond its splashy thrills, and lovers of the outdoors will find enough activities to keep them busy on land as well. With it's green hills and mountain peaks, it is no surprise that Soča Valley makes the perfect background for a camping trip. Imagine waking up with awe-inspiring views of mountains, lush greenery, and an emerald river during spring — very few things are more enticing.
From there, you can spend the day doing one of the many hiking trails in the region: The Juliana Trail is massive and requires multiple days of hiking to cover about 168 miles of distance as you discover valleys, forests, and cute towns along the way. Alternatively, the Soča Trail is for those looking for something to tackle in a day or two (if you like to go slow) at a much more doable 15.5 miles, offering views of the river and its famous footbridges. You may even time your visit with the Soča Valley Hiking and Biking Festival in September to have some company while you explore the region. If you fancy a little detour, you can squeeze in a visit to Slovenia's tallest waterfall, Slap Boka, which is over 446 feet tall. Like everything else in the region, it has a fascinating mythical story about it that you can discover while you marvel at its impressive beauty from a viewpoint that's easily reachable with a 15-minute hike from the area's parking lot and bridge.
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Read the original article on Islands.
