Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
During World War I, the terrain between here and the Adriatic made up the So
č
a (Isonzo)
Front. As you follow the So
č
a River south, down what's nicknamed the “Valley of the Ce-
meteries,” thescenic mountainsides aroundyoutell thetale ofthisterrible warfare.Imagine
a young Ernest Hemingway driving his ambulance through these same hills (see sidebar).
But it's not all so gloomy. There are plenty of other diversions—interesting villages and
churches, waterfalls and suspension bridges, and lots more. Perhaps most impressive is the
remarkableclarityandmilky-bluecoloroftheSo
č
aitself,whichSlovenesproudlycalltheir
“emerald river.”
After switchback #49, you'll cross a bridge, then pass a church and a botanical garden
of alpine plants (Alpinum Juliana). Across the street from the garden (on the right) is the
parking lot for the Mlinarica Gorge. While the gorge is interesting, the bridge leading to it
was damaged in a severe storm and hasn't yet been rebuilt—so it's best left to hardy hikers.
The last Vrši
č
switchback (#50) sends you into the village of
Trenta.
As you get to
the cluster of buildings in Trenta's “downtown,” look on the left for the
Triglav National
Park Information Center,
which also serves as a regional TI (daily July-Aug 8:00-20:00,
May-June and Sept-Oct 10:00-18:00, Dec-April 10:00-14:00, closed Nov, tel. 05/388-9330,
www.tnp.si
)
. The €5 museum here provides a look (with English explanations) at the park's
flora, fauna, traditional culture, and mountaineering history. An AV show celebrates the re-
gion's forests, and a poetic 15-minute slideshow explains the wonders and fragility of the
park (included in museum entry, ask for English version as you enter).
AfterTrenta,you'llpassthroughatunnel;then,ontheleft,lookforaclassic
suspension
bridge.
Pull over to walk out for a bounce, enjoying the river's crystal-clear water and the
spectacular mountain panorama.
