Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Nestled in the Soca River Valley, the Great Soca Gorge is one of the best places to see the gorgeous Soca River as it flows through the deep rock cliffs of the Gorge. The Soca River is one of Slovenia’s top sites and attracts people looking to hike, kayak, raft, bike, and drive along its length. The color and landscape around the Soca River is one of the things that drew us to this country and this gorgeous river. The Great Soca Gorge is an easy stop and is worth spending some time exploring during your visit to Slovenia whether you are just driving through, hiking the Soca Valley, or spending time in Bovec.
Below you can find details about visiting the Great Soca Gorge including how to get there and things you should know about your visit.
Looking for other things to do in the area? Check out:
- Soca River Gorge
- Slap Kozjak
- Driving and Hiking Mount Mangart
- Things to do in Bovec
- 7 Day Slovenia Itinerary.
How to Get to the Great Soca Gorge
While the Great Soca Gorge is a popular attraction, it is not well marked off the main road. From Bovec, take Toute 203 North and turn right onto route 206 (or Bovec-Trenta). One of the best landmarks is Kamp Soca, so you can enter this into your map app. Stay on 206 and pass Camp Soca – you will see signs for Lepena and Velika Korita. Directly after this sign, turn right and cross the Soca River. We ended up parking right here along the road, but there are additional and better parking just down the road.
Below is a map showing the Great Soca Gorge location. You can click on this map and use it to navigate to the parking area.
hiking soca valley
Visiting the Great Soca Gorge
The Great Soca Gorge is a 750 meter smoothly carved gorge that reaches depths of 15 meters. There are several small trails that lead along the edge of the lower gorge, and the Soca River Trail that goes down the east side of the river. The deepest sections of the gorge are a little difficult to see down into and caution should be used near the edge of the rock cliffs. The Soca Gorge is first visible from the Soca River Trail as it crosses a hanging wood bridge just above the gorge. TAs you follow the gorge downriver, it passes along the narrow canyon with some small viewing areas down to the river. After the next bridge, the river opens up and the best views are visible up into the canyon.
There are several small trail and viewpoints and many people brought a picnic and a few people even enjoying a swim in the incredibly cold water. There are a few rocks that work as jumping rocks. We also watched a kayak make its way up into the canyon.
When we visited in July of 2022, we found the gorge crowded in the middle of the day. To get the Soca Gorge to yourself, you should plan to visit early in the morning, or late in the day.
Things to Know About Visiting the Great Soca Gorge
Below you can find some things to know about visiting the Great Soca River Gorge and some common questions.
Can You Swim in Soca River?
There are many places you can swim in the Soca River and are directly below the Soca River Gorge is one of the best places to take a swim. Note that the water in the Soca River is very cold!
How long do you need to visit the Great Soca Gorge?
You should plan on at least 15 minutes to see the gorge on a quick stop. If you have more time, you could easily spend an hour here, walking the extent of the Gorge, enjoying a picnic, and even taking a swim.
When in the Best Time of Year to Visit the Great Soca Gorge?
You can visit the Soca River Valley all year long and this area is very pretty in the winter snows. Use extra caution in the winter when the path is slipper. The best time of year to visit the Gorge is during the warm months. We found July comfortable and beautiful in the Triglav Region of Slovenia.
Is the Great Soca Gorge Worth Visiting?
This is one of the most beautiful places to see the strikingly blue Soca River, and was one of our favorite places in Slovenia. This place is worth visiting if you are in Bovec or are looking to explore the Soca River Valley.
How do I get to Great Soca Gorge?
You can get to the Soca River Gorge by either car or bus. The bus drops you off just a short distance from the gorge and if you are driving, put Kamp Soca into your map app.
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