Kozjak Waterfall

The trail starts at the car park opposite Kamp Koren, just past Napoleon Bridge. The first 15 minutes follow a dirt track across a meadow before the path dips into beech forest and reaches the Soča riverbank. The water here is turquoise and clear to the bottom. On the left, a wooden suspension bridge offers views of kayakers below – don't cross it, continue straight toward the waterfall.

Further on, the trail gains elevation, passes the ticket booth, and enters the Kozjak stream gorge. The walls narrow, the air turns cooler and damper. First to appear is Little Kozjak (Mali Kozjak) – an 8-metre waterfall beneath a stone bridge. A good photo stop, but the main attraction lies ahead.

Another 5 minutes brings you to the rock chamber of Great Kozjak. Tall dark walls are coated in limestone deposits, cave-like in appearance. The waterfall drops as a white column from 15 metres into an emerald pool. A wooden viewing platform at the base holds about 10 people – expect a short wait in peak season. Swimming is prohibited. The final metres to the platform can be slippery – a metal handrail cable is provided.

Height – main waterfall (Veliki Kozjak) 15 m, small waterfall (Mali Kozjak) 8 m

Rock chamber – the waterfall drops inside a natural stone amphitheatre with limestone formations on the walls

Trail – 3.5 km one way, minimal elevation gain, suitable for families with children

Soča River – turquoise water and a suspension bridge over the river along the route

History – the trail passes WWI bunkers from the Isonzo Front

The Kozjak stream gorge formed over millennia as water eroded the limestone, creating a system of six waterfalls and cascading pools. The stream originates at altitude beneath Krnčica peak (2,142 m) and flows into the Soča. Until the 20th century, the waterfall was known only to locals – reaching the rock chamber without a maintained path was difficult.

In the 2000s, authorities built a walking trail with wooden footbridges, metal handrails, and a viewing platform at the waterfall's base. The route was incorporated into the Kobarid Historical Trail. After social media exposure, the waterfall became one of Slovenia's most visited natural sites – several thousand people per day during summer peak season.

From Kobarid (2 km, 30 minutes on foot):

- Walk from the town centre via Napoleon Bridge – 30 min to the car park, then 30 min along the trail to the waterfall

- By car – 2 minutes to the Kamp Koren car park (€1.50/hour)

From Ljubljana (135 km, 2–2.5 hours):

- By car via Tolmin. A vignette (from €15/week) is needed for the motorway section

- Bus Ljubljana–Kobarid (Arriva/Nomago, ~3 hours, ~€12), then walk from the centre

From Bovec (20 km, 20 minutes):

- By car along road 203 following the Soča

- Summer hop-on hop-off bus in the Soča Valley (July–August)

Season: April–October. Best in May–June when snowmelt maximises the water flow. Autumn (September–October) has fewer visitors but weaker flow.

Time of day: Morning (before 10:00) – fewest visitors. After 11:00 in July–August, expect queues at the viewing platform.

Duration: 1–1.5 hours round trip. With photo stops – 2 hours.

Avoid: Weekends in July–August – the trail is overcrowded. In rain, the final section is slippery and uncomfortable.