Day trip of Natural Wonders of the Julian Alps
Motorail Bohinj - Most na Soči - Tolmin Gorge - The Great Soča Gorge - Vršič Pass - Zelenci Spring - Peričnik Waterfall
The best natural attractions of the Triglav National Park
Trip Around the Julian Alps Timeline
7:30 – Breakfast at Hotel Sunrose7
8:35 – Arrival at the train station in Bohinjska Bistrica
9:10 – 10:15 – Car train ride to Most na Soči
10:30 – 12:00 – Visit to the Tolmin Gorge
12:00 – 14:15 – Drive from Tolmin, past the Boka Waterfall, to the Great Soča Gorge with one-hour lunch stop
14:15 – 14:45 – Visit to the Great Soča Gorge
14:45 – 16:15 – Scenic drive over the Vršič Pass
16:15 – 16:45 – Visit to the Zelenci Springs
16:45 – 17:30 – Drive into the Vrata Valley
17:30 – 18:00 – Visit to the Peričnik Waterfall
18:00 – 19:15 – Return to Bohinjska Bistrica
19:30 – Dinner at Sunrose7
A circuit around the Julian Alps
Motorail Bohinjska Bistrica > Most na Soči (1 h)
Adventure for all ages – a journey by car train
The car train or motorail train on the Bohinj Railway runs daily from Bohinjska Bistrica to Most na Soči. During the 28-kilometer scenic ride past picturesque villages and green hills, the train takes you from Bohinj to the Soča Valley in just 1 hour.
Timetable and Ticket Price for Motorail car train
The first departure is at 9:10, but you need to be at the train station at least 15 minutes earlier due to vehicle loading. We suggest to come 30-45 minutes early as the number of vehicles is limited.
Tickets can only be paid in cash on site!
One-way ticket for the car train:
Car + driver: €14
Van/camper + driver: €21
Passenger: €3.10, children up to 15 years: €1.55
For more information about the car train price list, visit Slovenian Railways site.
Motorail Train – Waiting at the starting station in Bohinjska Bistrica
The route features many bridges and tunnels due to the rugged landscape. The first on the way is the Bohinj Tunnel, over 6 kilometers long, which until recently was the longest railway tunnel in Slovenia. It was built in 1904 as part of the railway connection Prague – Jesenice – Trieste, known as the Bohinj Railway, or Transalpina / Wocheinerbahn.
By car on a railway wagon through the Bohinj Tunnel
The route with the car train goes through 12 tunnels:
Bohinj Tunnel - 6327 m
Kuk - 102 m
II. galerija - 42 m
Hudajužna - 311 m
Kupovo - 54 m
Humar - 88 m
Bukovo - 937 m
Grahovo - 202 m
Kneža - 384 m
Klavže - 170 m
Rakovec - 292 m
Bača - 46 m
Tolmin Gorge (1h 30min)
Interesting facts:
The lowest and at the same time the southernmost point of Triglav National Park
The only confluence of two rivers in gorges in Slovenia (Tolminka & Zadlaščica)
There is a thermal spring in the gorges with 21 degrees Celsius
The origin of formation is deep erosion
The Devil's Bridge spans the gorge 60 meters above the water
In the narrow section, there is a stuck rock called the Bear's Head
Nearby is also the Zadlaška or Dante's Cave
Round trail through the Tolmin Gorges
It is 2 km long, nicely maintained, and well marked
The tour takes about 1 h 30 minutes
Dogs on a leash are welcome.
Visiting hours and price
June 1 – September 15: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
September 16 – October 13: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance fee (adults)::
March, April, October, November: €6 *
May, June, September: €8 *
July, August: €10 *
In the main season, it is recommended to book a reservation in advance.
There are 3 parking locations available:
Parking lot P1: paid, in front of the entrance, for cars only
Parking lot P2: free, 15 minutes on foot to the entrance
Parking lot P3: free, 30 minutes on foot to the entrance through Tolmin
*From parking lots P2 and P3, a free bus runs to the entrance of Tolmin Gorges during the main season.
Map of the trail through Tolmin Gorges from parking lot P1
Boka Waterfall
As you continue the trip past village of Žaga towards Bovec, look on your left side. If you observe carefully, you will notice a wonderful view of one of the highest and mightiest waterfalls in Slovenia. Just after the bridge from which you can see the waterfall, there is a small rest area along the road, so it is worth stopping for at least a few minutes.
Lunch Break (1h)
After all the exploration, good food is just what you need. For lunch, it’s worth stopping in Kobarid at Hiša Polonka or in Log pod Mangartom at the Mangrt restaurant.
The Great Soča Gorge (30min)
The Soča Gorges and a small waterfall that flows into them in the northeastern part
The famous gem of the Soča Valley
The Soča Gorges are 750 m long and up to 15 m deep. Crystal clear water flows through them and then comes out into the emerald pools near the Lepena Valley. Over the centuries, the Soča River has carved the stone into breathtaking gorges that, in certain sections, are no wider than 2 meters.
A walk along the Great Soča Gorges
A short visit only requires a few minutes walk from the parking lot to the point where the Soča flows out from the end of the gorges. In summer there are usually quite a few eager swimmers.
You can also extend your exploration and walk along the gorges (15 min) to a small waterfall that falls over the cliff. Nearby, there is also a bridge from which you can look straight down into the gorges, and then return along the same path.
Swimming in Soča River
For the bravest, the Soča can offer a refreshing cool-down, as the water is only around 10°C even in the summer. On hot days, such a refreshment is more than welcome.
Vršič Pass
The high mountain pass Vršič embraced by the mountains
The highest mountain pass in Slovenia
The panoramic road connecting Gorenjska region (Kranjska Gora) and northern Primorska region (Trenta) reaches its highest point at 1,611 meters above sea level. Along the drive, stunning views open up of the surrounding nature and mountains.
Length of the road across Vršič: 24 km
Number of hairpin turns: 50 (24 on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side)
History of the road across Vršič
The pass had several different names (Kranjski prelaz, Mojstrovka, Jezerca) over the course of time. Initially, only a foot trail led across it, and at the top, there was a small lake that never dried up. During the construction of the road - during World War I - the lake was filled in. From Kranjska Gora to Trenta, a freight cableway also operated during the war, which was later dismantled, but to this day, the remains of its foundations can still be seen on the Trenta side.
Russian Chapel
Northern part of the road across Vršič on Kranjska gora side is also called the Russian Road, as it was built mostly by Russian prisoners of war. A large number of these workers were tragically swept away by an avalanche on 8 March 1916, and an Orthodox chapel was built in their memory.
Heathen Maiden
Legend has it that the patron saint of travellers across Vršič and prophetess “Pagan girl” was cursed by her own sisters because she foretold the death of the mystical Goldhorn. The petrified figure is still visible today in the rock face of Mount Prisank.
Zelenci Lake (30 min)
The source of Sava Dolinka River and the emerald lake near Kranjska Gora, Slovnenia
Access to Zelenci Natural Reserve
There is a 10-minute walk along a path from the car park to Lake Zelenci, where there is also a small lookout tower. Looking carefully into the water, you can see the ground springs at the bottom, from where the Sava Dolinka River flows through the lake's chalk.
Interesting fact: The water temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius throughout the whole year.
Peričnik Waterfall (30 min)
Peričnik Waterfall in the glacial Vrata valley, forming a rainbow
Upper Peričnik Waterfall
The famous Peričnik Waterfall plunges 52 metres
Peričnik Waterfall - straight out of a fairy tale
In the heart of the Triglav National Park, in the glacial Vrata Valley above the village of Mojstrana, there is a mighty waterfall. You can reach it on foot (1 h) along the Triglavska Bistrica trail or take a ride (toll road and parking) in your own car or hop on a bus. If you visit it at the right time (in the afternoon), a rainbow will appear in the dance of water drops below the Peričnik waterfall.
Height: lower waterfall - 52 m, upper waterfall - 16 m
Access to Peričnik
Although it can be seen from the road, it is worth walking a little higher. A short but steep path leads from the car park at the Hut at Peričnik to the waterfall, which takes you closer after a 10-minute climb. There is another waterfall above it - the upper Peričnik Waterfall, which is smaller but just as beautiful. The ground is wet and slippery, so proper hiking shoes with good soles and a bit of caution are recommended.
Slovenia is a land of many beautiful waterfalls, lakes and other natural attractions - let's keep it wild and clean!
Path from Mojstrana to Peričnik Waterfall