10%

Slovenia

Roadtrip around the Julian Alps, Part II.

By Javi Lorbada

July 28^th, 2020

Continuing the road trip around the Julian Alps. Remember to check part I if you have missed where we left.

Big plans we had, or big summits I should say, our goal was to sleep on mountain huts, summit some of the highest peaks, and the highest, Mt Triglav, as well. None of that was possible due to our lack of gear preparation as we had planned for much milder weather, instead, we had a few snowfalls, days of endless rain, and almost no mountains hut opened for us.

Anyway we enjoyed it a lot during this trip because this country is truly outstanding and relativity small for the 10 days we stayed there.

Let's embark this journey through the last five days.

Dom na Komni - Lake Kreda - Krma Valley - Kranjska Gora

Having gone to sleep early, paid off, even though I was far from 8h, I had rested a bit.

Sunrise again, 5:40 am out, it was cold and crisp, the sun lighted mountain peaks like candles I enjoyed the breeze and the moment, we haven't had many of these, so you gotta appreciate that.

Trying to look for different perspectives I flew the drone far away, clouds were coming from north and wind started to pick up, meaning I had to land.

Then I waited for the boys to wake up while having a warm coffee and reading some mountaineering book in the hut.

After that, we had breakfast and started the descent, going further into the mountains wasn't feasible for us, and bad weather was supposed to come.

Hike down was fast and smooth, not much comment on that. Then we drove a stunning winding road, through mountain houses, pastures, green fields, let's define that as the paradise I eventually would love to live.

For lunch we stopped at Lake Kreda, I hadn't heard of this lake before, but its color was amazing, not only that, the whole valley around it was too.

In the afternoon we headed to Krma Valley, the north approach route to Triglav, the highest mountain in the country, for me, a mesmerizing valley, granite walls to both sizes, I believe close to 2500m altitude, green pine forest underneath.

We spent a few hours there, however, I could literally stayed more time, this country is simply stunning.

The end of the day was approaching, so the rain and cold. Therefore we went to Kranjska Gora for the night, checked in and had, another, yet delicious dinner.

Kranjska Gora - Lake Jasna - Vršič Pass - Trenta - Soča Valley - Bovec

Well, the weather just hit hard on us. Went out for sunrise at Lake Jasna, the sun didn't show up, the area though looked wonderful from the air and the ground, certainly spent an hour around, cause it wasn't raining.

Then went back for breakfast and get ready for the day, in just about 2 hours' time the rain came to stay and followed us the whole day, so we spent most of the time in the van road tripping.

Firstly we drove through the Vršič, 1611m mountain pass, which was supposed to be closed, but we found it doable, pity there was not much to be seen, cause pictures of this place and the valley looked amazing.

Continued down the valley, well known for one of the most beautiful areas, and I have to admit it is despite the rain, however, I would have loved to see it in full swing.

Rain here and there we walked, visited a few places, such as waterfalls and small villages then lunch, believe me, the rain was non stop and at a certain point, we were soaked which was very unpleasant.

But once one gets wet there's no excuse to continue, so we did, and visited the Soča River area, to me, simply stunning, a powerful river flowing, incredibly shaped stone by the water strength.

Eventually, we found these two kids kayaking through, just mind-blowing seeing them going upstream, and honestly, a bit jealous of their talent, I wished I was there.

The end of the day was approaching we, had another last rain window and visited the last waterfall.

The mood was down, we truly like to be in the outdoors and enjoy, however, that day we got wet and cold, really had us down.

Soča River - Slap Virje - Slap Boca - Kobarid

Went for sunrise, epic fail. I was literally 1h 3min waiting for the heavy rain to stop. Just before heading back, I dared, desperately, to take the drone up, afraid of the rain, I landed soon.

After breakfast we did Rafting in the Soča River, that was an awesome experience, a bit short though. The whole valley is unbelievable, going downstream mountains unveiled in the fog making it an epic ride. The first two parts of the Rafting were a bit soft, then the third has fantastic rapids.

In the afternoon we visited this fall called Virje. I've got a bit frustrated, there was no rain whatsoever the whole morning after breakfast, as soon as we arrived at the waterfall heavy rain again, I could just take one image and left.

Then we had lunch and climbed to the last viewpoint of Boca waterfall. The highest on Slovenia, more than a 100-meter drop, impressive from every angle.

The weather respected us a bit here so I took the time to check different perspectives, and I was totally mind blown by the valley below, the Soča River heading upstream towards the Julian Alps had me in awe.

Slovenia, so far, has surpassed all my expectations, nature is really being taken care of and everything thing looks wonderful.

After that, not much we could do. Drove a bit further and enjoy a BBQ for dinner.

Kobarid - Napoleon's Bridge - Slap Kozjak - Tolmin Gorge - Predjama Castle

I got sick, so no more sunrises, instead, I rested a bit more and go through the day.

First, in the morning we drove to Kozjak waterfall, on the way we saw again the Soča River under Napoleon's Bridge, quite amazing, and during summer they do a jump competition there, 20-meter drop.

Then we visited the waterfall, this one we almost missed and I would have regret, incredible to see mother Earth shaping rock as this fall, so beautiful, and powerful.

Then we headed to the Tolmin Gorge, I had big expectations for this one, it was great, however, I liked the one in previous days better. Yet, the watercolor never ceases to amaze me.

After lunch, we started the driving back to where everything started, a bit more than 2h in the van to reach the Predjama Castle.

A beautiful castle in the rock cliff, weather though had us soaked in water and mood is down already, so not much after we headed to the apartment.

Divača - Skocjan Caves - Venice - Madrid

Didn’t get any better, in fact, my sleep was quite bad and I didn’t do any effort for sunrise. I also felt like the trip was over. In the morning, just after breakfast, we headed to the Skocjan Caves, UNESCO heritage.

I was hesitant to get in, for multiple reasons, as I personally don’t like crowded tours, and I couldn’t take any pictures of the inside. However, I was glad we entered.

The caves are simply impressive, massive stalactites and stalagmites, a cave shaped by the erosion of the Reca River, featuring a huge dome inside. This underground channel is approximately 3.5 km long, 10 to 60 m wide and over 140 m high, if numbers don’t give an idea, well you should visit, it’s both an amazing natural place, and really hard work by explorers many years ago.

Once we finished the tour, we just drove to Venice Airport, stopped for lunch, and cleaning the van. As you can see the day in Slovenia was quite short, the rest was about traveling to get back home.

Slovenia has surpassed my expectations, I know the weather wasn't the best, and we missed sight to many mountain peaks I would like to have captured, however, weather-wise, we are not charge, Mother Earth is, and therefore we tried to make the best out of it.

Slovenian people are incredibly warm and kind, food is great for its price and how they care about their country is amazing, I’m glad isn’t far from many places in Europe and I hope I can visit again soon.

As usual, every trip brings spectacular places around the globe and these mountain cabins were incredible. Who wouldn't want to spend some days in there?