Kobarid Historical Trail

The trail begins at the Kobarid Museum, where it's worth spending 1.5–2 hours before setting out: the exhibition on the Isonzo Front battles provides context for everything you'll encounter on the route. From the museum, the path climbs to the Italian Charnel House on Gradič Hill (309 m) – an octagonal military memorial built in 1938, with panoramic views over the Soča valley and the surrounding Julian Alps. The trail continues through forest to the ruins of Tonocov Grad, a Late Antiquity fortified settlement with remains of three churches and a baptistery from the 4th–5th centuries.

From Tonocov Grad, the route descends to the Soča River through restored Italian WWI trenches. Stone-and-timber fortifications give a tangible sense of mountain trench warfare. This section includes stairs that become slippery when wet. The trail crosses the Kobarid–Bovec road and reaches the Soča River gorge, where the water runs turquoise over limestone bedrock.

The final stretch leads across a suspension bridge to Kozjak Waterfall – a 15 m cascade plunging into a rounded karst chamber. The return path passes Napoleon Bridge – a 19th-century stone arch over the Soča – and the Planika dairy where local cheese is sold. The loop closes back in Kobarid's centre.

Length – 5 km loop with approximately 300 m elevation gain, moderate difficulty

Key stops – Kobarid Museum, Italian Charnel House, Tonocov Grad, WWI trenches, Soča gorge, Kozjak Waterfall, Napoleon Bridge

Archaeology – Tonocov Grad: settlement spanning from the Copper Age to the Middle Ages, with three churches and a baptistery from the 4th–5th centuries atop a rocky hill

Military history – restored Italian trenches and defence lines from the Isonzo Front (1915–1917), site of 12 battles with approximately 300,000 casualties

Kozjak Waterfall – 15 m drop into a rounded karst pool with emerald-green water, €5 admission

Part of a larger network – the trail forms part of the 500 km Walk of Peace route connecting Isonzo Front memorials from the Alps to the Adriatic

The Kobarid area has been inhabited since the Copper Age. The fortified hilltop settlement of Tonocov Grad, overlooking the confluence of the Soča and Nadiža valleys, thrived in the 4th–5th centuries AD and included dwellings, three successive churches, and a baptistery. By the 13th century, Kobarid sat on trade routes between Friuli and Carinthia. Its strategic position proved fateful during World War I: between May 1915 and November 1917, 12 battles were fought on the Isonzo Front here. On 24 October 1917, the Battle of Caporetto (12th Battle of the Isonzo) became one of the Central Powers' greatest breakthroughs. A young officer named Erwin Rommel took part in the operation.

After the war, the area was ceded to Italy. Between 1936 and 1938, the Italian government built an ossuary on Gradič Hill to house the remains of 7,014 Italian soldiers. During 1943–1945, partisan units operated in the forests around Kobarid. After WWII, the territory became part of Yugoslavia and then, from 1991, independent Slovenia. The Kobarid Museum opened in 1990 and received the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 1993. The Historical Trail was established to link the area's key monuments and became part of the Walk of Peace project.

From Ljubljana (105 km, 1 h 40 min by car):

- By car: take E61 to Nova Gorica, then R102 along the Soča River. An e-vignette is required for motorways. Consider a rental car

- Nomago bus: one daily departure, approximately 3 hours, €14–25. Timetable and tickets at Nomago website

From Bled (80 km, 1 h 30 min by car):

- By car: via Vršič Pass (open May–October) – a scenic drive through the Julian Alps. In winter, detour via Tolmin

- Seasonal bus runs in summer via Vršič Pass

Nearest airport: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (105 km). No direct bus – transfer in Ljubljana. A pre-booked transfer is the most convenient option

On-site:

The trail starts at the Kobarid Museum in the town centre (Gregorčičeva ulica 10). Parking at the Community Centre is 200 m from the trailhead

Season: best from May to October. In spring, sections may be washed out after floods. Peak season is July–August: queues at Kozjak Waterfall, parking lots fill early.

Time of day: optimal start at 8:00–9:00 AM to complete the route before midday heat and the tourist rush to the waterfall.

Duration: 3–5 hours for the trail, plus 1.5–2 hours for the museum. Allow 6–7 hours for a full day including lunch.

Avoid: in winter (November–March), parts of the trail may be closed or unsafe due to snow and ice. After heavy rain, check trail conditions at the tourist office before setting out.