recommended route
To Virje Waterfall from Bovec
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A unique little church on the path to Virje.Photo: Trever Swelland, Turizem Dolina Soce
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
After rainfall this trail can become quite muddy and slippery, choose your footwear accordingly.Tips and hints
- There is a water fountain in the center of Plužna; A good place to rest and fill up.
- Virje is partially snowmelt fed, so like other waterfalls in the area, it is most impressive during spring runoff.
- 5 minutes walk from the parking lot you will find the source of the river Glijun (Izvir Glijuna) as well as a small hydro electric plant.
- While Slap Virje can easily be accessed by driving, walk the 2 hour loop from the center of Bovec is a better choice.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
To find the start of the trail start walking on the main road from the center in the direction of Kobarid. Take the second road on the right (where the flower shop is located Cvetličarna Amak); After approximately 250 meters you will reach the driveway of a small apartment. It can be a bit confusing here because you have to walk between two buildings, where you will find the first sign indicating slap Virje. This is also the same path as the Alpe Adria trail for about 2/3 of the loop.
From this point you follow a well marked trail through sheep farms, offering beautiful views of Kanin ski resort. Soon you reach the paved road leading into the small alpine town of Plužna. Follow the road from the center of Plužna leading up the hill for about 15 minutes to reach the parking lot for slap Virje. As you approach the parking lot keep an eye out down the hill to your left, where you can get a view of slap Virje down below. It only takes 5 minutes to reach the waterfall from the parking lot.
To complete the loop, continue downhill after returning to the parking lot. Within 5 min you will reach a small hydro electric plant, offering stunning reflective views of the beautiful peak of Svinjak as well as Izvir Gljun, the natural karst springs originating straight from the caverns under Kanin. Even if you access slap Virje by car, do not miss these easy detours. The obvious path circumnavigates the lake leading down the hill towards Bovec Golf course. This is the point where you no longer follow the Alpe Adria trail, rather follow the signs for Bovec center. Crossing the entire length of the Bovec golf course, you end up in the Parking lot for Kanin ski resort. At the end of the parking lot turn left to meet back up with the trail that you started on, leading you back to the center of Bovec. This is an easy trail, suitable for the whole family. Allow approximately two hours to complete the entire loop.
Note
Getting there
This is a round trip track starting and ending at the information building in the center of Bovec.
To get to Bovec you can come from the North or the South.
- From the North: Via Kranjska Gora through Vršič pass or through the Italian town of Tarvisio through Predil pass.
- From the South: Follow road number 102 from Tolmin to Kobarid, turning on 203 from Kobarid to Bovec.
Parking
During the summer months, parking can be difficult in Bovec. There are a few larger parking lots that generally have space available. Option number 1: directly across from the Mercator supermarket there is a large parking lot. Option number 2: there is a large parking lot near the school and the church.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
For more information about the Soča valley follow this link:
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
This is a standard trail, requiring no special equipment. Bring gear according to the weather and the season.Statistics
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
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