Soca valley in the summer time is worth a visit despite the fact that this is a peak time of the year. Days are long and warm just perfect for experiencing plenty of outdoor fun, lying down on the carpets of blooming wildflowers and visiting natural sights.

What to do in Soca valley during the summer time?

Walk Alpe Adria Trail

Alpe Adria Trail is one of the Top 7 trails in the world according to National Geographic Traveler. Walk along Europe’s most emerald river called Soca river or simply join my Alpe Adria Trail Experience in Soca valley.

Visit Alpine Botanical garden

Up for visiting the only Alpine Botanical garden in Slovenia? Do that and learn about more than 600 plants that are growing here. Alpine Botanical garden is open every day from 1^st May until 30^th September from 8:30am to 6:30pm. Well, if you want to deepen you knowledge about medicinal plants, join my herbal walk.

Swim in Soca river

Some of the best hidden spots for swimming in crystal-clear Soca river can be found in Upper Soca valley. Soca river (Isonzo in Italian) is an alpine river with emerald green color inspired many poets (Simon Gregorčič, Giuseppe Ungaretti, Klara Stanič, Iztok Mlakar). Would you write a poem about Soca river? If yes, I would be happy to publish it on Facebook page.

Explore Triglav National Park

Triglav National Park (TNP) is one of the oldest parks in Europe and covers 4 % of Slovenian land. Less than 3000 inhabitants are living here while annually more than 1,5 million visitors visit it. Have more questions about TNP? Visit Info center Trenta and drop by Trenta museum as well where you can learn about rich ethnological, cultural and historical traditions of the Trenta valley.

Bike in Trenta valley

Rent a bike in Bovec and cycle towards Trenta town following Soca river. You will be rewarded by amazing views of some of the highest Slovenian mountain picks. Stop at a local restaurant and try Bovec cheese and krafi sweet dessert.

Go camping

Camping is the best way to stay closer to the nature. In Soca valley there are various camping places that cater different travel desires. Check them here.

Hike to Krn lake

Krn lake is the largest mountain lake in Slovenia which offers great views on Krn mountain and surrounding hills. Swimming in Krn lake is prohibited. Hiking to Krn lake is a popular weekend activity for many Slovenian families with children due to undemanding 2,5 hours long hike which starts at Lepena.

What about cliff jumping into emerald green Soca river?!

Cliff jumping at Velika korita, one of the best natural sights in Soca valley, is a must. It is one of the places you should cool down while traveling around Soca valley in the summer time. Check other cool places here.

Try Fly fishing

Fly fishing is the only permitted method of fishing in the Bovec area. You need to buy catch and release or catch and retain permission from 1 April to 31 October. Then you simply put your legs into cold Soca river and wait for the luck to meet marble trout, grayling and rainbow trout. Need a professional fly-fishing guide from the local area? Send me an email to vesna@slocally.com!

Kayaking on the river

Kayaking on the rapids of Soca river is very popular water sport. If you are not familiar with this sport, many local sport agencies are offering beginner and advanced kayaking course for children and adults. Guided daily kayaking trips on Soca and Koritnica river are running from March to October.

Mountaineering in Loška stena

On the way down from Mangart pass, stop for a while and take a photo of Loška stena, the longest mountain wall in Slovenia and in the Julian Alps. Loška stena is a symbol of Trenta pure wilderness with steep mostly unmarked mountains. Take a professional mountain guide while exploring terra incognita.

Visit a cheese maker in Bovec

If you skip Log pod Mangartom, you can still indulge your taste buds with local sheep cheese in Bovec. Hear a yummy story about Bovec sheep cheese. Bovec cheese is a protected food product which can be produced only in Bovec basin using milk from indigenous Bovec sheep who are grazing on surrounding meadows from March until September. Join my Say cheese experience and see cheese production in live. Check what else you can taste in Soca valley here.

Hiking at Mt. Kanin

During the summer time you can take part in unique sleeping experience at Kanin mountain.

Go rafting and experience Soca valley from the river

White water rafting is for sure number one water activity in Soca valley. It is perfect for solo travelers, couples, families with small children and seniors. Book your rafting experience at Nature’s Ways. This is eco-friendly local company taking care of nature on every trip by minimizing the impact on the environment. Keep in miny, we only have one nature and one Soca river.

Fly over green forests and canyons

Zip lining is booming in Soca valley. Here you can find the biggest zip line in Slovenia which is open all year around. Yes, in the winter time as well 🙂 With 8 zip lines in the length of 250 to 400 meters provides you with more than two hours of entertainment. Fly like a bird in Učja valley!

Up for canyoning?

There are hundreds of streams in Soca valley but only few of them (Sušec, Fratarica) can catter canyoning enthusiasts. Taste your adrenaline buds, slide along the natural toboggans, descend into the canyons, swim in the crystal-clear pools and take some selfies while canyoning!

What about hydrospeed, tubing, stand up paddling on Soca river?!

Up for some more adrenaline and pure fun? Then it is time to try hydrospeed. You will swim in Soca river while using a special navigable/floating board and flippers. While on the other hand, tubing on Soca river is a relaxing water activity when you have lots of time to observe marble trout. From Herbal Rooms Homestay you can take a train to Most na Soči and experience stand up paddling on Soca river.

Paragliding paradise

During the summer time while chillaxing and cooling down beside Soca river, you can observe hundreds of paragliders in the sky. Soca valley is becoming world famous paragliding destination. And if you are driving from Kobarid to Tolmin and if you see a person with enormously huge bag on his back standing beside a road, give him a lift. He is a paraglider 🙂

Natural bathing areas of Soča, Nadiža and Idrijca rivers

During long and hot summer days the best refreshment can be find at natural bathing areas.

Slovenian Stonehenge

Yes, we do have Slovenian Stonehenge in Soca valley. In the heart of the Alps below Krn mountain lies a special circle. You can easily miss it if a local doesn’t show it to you. Interested in visiting a Slovenian Stonehenge? Send me an email to vesna@slocally.com and I will send you GPS coordinates.

Cheese making production on the alpine pastures

Tradition of cheese making on the alpine pastures in Soca valley is very old and unique in Slovenia. Take a hike to the alpine pastures above Tolmin and taste Tolmin cheese. For more details write to vesna@slocally.com.

Čadrg Eco village, Javorca with memorial church of Holy Spirit, Tolmin gorge and frika

Within a day you can visit Tolmin Gorge, the lowest part of Triglav National Park, drive to Čadrg eco village (very narrow and steep road leads to the village!), taste frika at tourist farm and make a detour to Javorca Church of Holy Spirit, a monument with status of national importance.

Bridge jumps from Kanal bridge

Take a dive off the nearby rocks in Kanal. Those brave enough would dive off its most famous 17-meters high bridge into the freezing cold water in mid-August when a festival takes place.

Bungee jumping from Solkan bridge

Do you like 100 % adrenaline? If yes, then take a jump from 55-meters high Solkan bridge and touch Soca river. This is the only one Bungee center in Slovenia.

Transalpina railway and a steam train

Take a seat on a museum steam train and enjoy the stunning countryside on Translapina railway with 6339 meters long Bohinj tunnel and Solkan bridge, the longest stone bridge among train bridges built of stone blocks.

Planning to visit Soca valley for your summer holidays? It would be great to host you at Herbal Rooms Homestay. In case our accommodation is booked, please check other accommodation options in Bovec, Tolmin, Kobarid.

_________Thank you for reading!______________

If you crave some more local experiences, join my local experiences! What is more, if you need help with your travel planning to Soca valley and/or Slovenia beyond the usual tourist menu , do not hesitate to contact me. Welcome/Dobrodošli!