Top attractions to visit in Tolmin – one of my most beautiful trips
In one of the previous blogs, I described a wonderful family trip to Kobarid and its surroundings. And in the introduction I wrote that I practically never stopped in Kobarid, it was always just a point that had to be crossed on the way to Bovec. And it was similar to Tolmin. With the small difference that I actually stopped in Tolmin a few times, but only as a basketball player when my team played a game there. I even stayed in Tolmin, all week, at the basketball camp, but all this had little to do with getting to know the top attractions of Tolmin.
Tolmin has an exceptional cultural and natural heritage. It hides some remarkable sights in its surroundings. You have all probably heard of the Tolmin Gorge, the beautiful church of Javorca, the pleasant confluence of the Soča and Tolminka rivers, and in this blog I will take you to some other beauties that you can admire on the slopes of the southernmost part of the Triglav National Park.
What to see Tolmin
- The spring of the Tolminka river
- Javorca church
- Tolmin Gorge and Dante’s Cave
- Tolmin castle
- German ossuary from the First World War
- Swimming pool at the confluence of the Soča and Tolminka rivers
All the suggested destinations will be difficult to process in one day, so choose 2, 3, or maybe 4 and enjoy them. You can also round off the whole trip with a multi-day exploration of Tolmin, as you really won’t run out of exceptional places very quickly.
By the way, if you are looking for ideas for similar trips around the Soča, I suggest you read the blogs Bovec sights, Where in Kobarid and Where in Bovec, Sights of Trenta and Baška grapa. In all these blogs you have enough suggestions for some vacations in northern Primorska.
Tolminka spring
- Walking time: 3 hours
- Difficulty of the route: easy circular route
- Height: 695 meters
- Altitude difference: 430 meters
- Starting point: parking under Javorca (46.2376, 13.7234)
- Recommended footwear, and equipment: sports hiking shoes and poles
About a year before I visited the spring of Tolminka river for the first time, this trip was recommended to me by Mr. Franci, who was, or. is occasionally still my client when he needs a massage for his sore back. He told me something like this, you have to go and see the spring of the Tolminka, it’s so beautiful there, the water springs at the edge of the mountain and then flows across the meadow into the gorge. Given that Mr. Franci adores the hills and that he origin from Tolmin, he probably knows what he is talking about.
The source of the Tolminka is truly unique, completely different from all the other springs I have seen so far. Alpine rivers naturally originate, like waterfalls, from under a rock and immediately begin their journey in wild gorges … The source of the Tolminka, despite being one of the wildest rivers in Slovenia, is very calm, fabulous. This backdrop that prevails on the mountain below Osojnica could easily be used in any of the fairy tales.
Transport to Javorca
To begin with, we will have to drive to Tolmin, to its center. At the main crossroads, signs will direct us towards Tolmin Gorge and Javorca. At the peak of the summer season, it will be best to leave your vehicle in the free parking space at the end of Tolmin and then head towards the starting point for the Tolminka spring and Javorca with organized transport (price 2 €) within the summer season from 25 June to 31 August. the road is closed to public traffic, bus transport only).
We drove to the starting point in our car. The road is narrow and a bit adrenaline-pumping in some places, as the walls of the gorge, are extremely steep. Otherwise, the road is nicely arranged and suitable for practically all cars.
From the center of Tolmin, you will drive a good 8 kilometers to the starting point of our route. When you reach the crossroads, where the signposts invite you to the left to Javorca, and straight to the source of Tolminka, you better drive straight to the parking lot for the source of Tolminka, as you will be able to leave your vehicle in the shade, while the parking lot at Javorca is completely the sun. The parking lots are only about 100 meters from each other.
Javorca bunker
As soon as you get out of the car, you will be greeted on the right above the parking lot by a huge bunker erected by the Italians between the two world wars. The bunker has never served its purpose, but it is truly amazing. it was set up on three floors and was to be intended for a large number of soldiers. The interior of the bunker is still very well preserved today.
Just a few hundred meters further down the road, a small sign will invite you to visit another bunker hidden at the edge of the forest. This bunker is also very large, smaller than the previous one, but still extremely large. When I look at these underground forts, I always have the question of who built all this and how much money they threw away for the whole line of bunkers (on our side and on the Italian side) that they never used. I recommend you visit this bunker as well, but it’s fine if you have slightly better light with you than the one on your phone. As you walk through the bunker, on the other side of the path you continue along the pasture and the path will soon lead you to the main path.
The ascent to the source of the Tolminka will then continue along the road, which will soon turn into a mule track. It is well maintained and wide. In some places, there is a lot of gravel on it, so the sand can also slide, so hiking poles will help you.
The source of the Tolminka on the mountain below Osojnica
Mulatjera takes us to the edge of the mountain below Osojnica in a few serpentines, which run along the edge of the landslide of huge rocks (really stunning), where the path splits. I advise you to turn left to the highest spring on the mountain and then walk along the meadow paths to the lower springs and admire this truly fabulous environment.
You will probably stay on the mountain for a while and enjoy the views, water parties and beautiful streams. When we visited the mountain, we undressed and crossed the mountain barefoot, as there was practically no other option. However, the cows took care of the nicely trimmed grass area, so the walk was very pleasant.
A little lower on the mountain is a rather ugly hunting lodge (in my opinion). They could put in a little effort and put something a little more appropriate in this wonderful environment. However, the cottage offers some benches where you can sit and enjoy the ambiance in peace.
You can head towards the starting point along the access path, but I suggest that you cross the streams to the other side of the riverbed, which Tolminka starts working on as soon as the streams say goodbye to the meadows. There, a well-trodden path will take you towards the mountain in Prodi. The mountain was empty at the time of our visit, but it looks quite nicely arranged and maintained.
One of the highlights of the whole trip will be waiting for you when you get from the mountain to the Tolminka riverbed and ride through it with a manual cable car, something like this I tried for the first time, a great experience! 😀
Javorca
When you get to the car, you will probably have something to drink, especially if the day is hot. Then, through a small grove, head towards the picturesque church of Javorca. The church is about 20-minute walk from the parking lot on a concrete road. On hot summer days, the climb can be quite hot, but when you get to church, all the effort pays off.
The Church of the Holy Spirit is located high above the steep banks of the Tolminka River, on a beautiful lookout plateau, where views open on all sides. The landslide on the neighboring bank of the Tolminka, which was triggered by a strong earthquake in 2004 in the Posočje region, is especially beautiful.
Javorca is a church built during the First World War in memory of fallen soldiers who fought in the Austro-Hungarian army. The initiative for the construction of the Church of the Holy Spirit was given by the soldiers themselves, and also the funds for this, today the most beautiful monument and at the same time a reminder of this pointless refutation, which took place more than 100 years ago, were collected within the troops.
On the oak planks inside the church are written the names of just over 2,500 soldiers, all nationalities who lost their lives on one of the greatest fronts in human history.
To see the interior of Javorca, you will have to deduct a few ever coins, but you can also buy a combined ticket, which will allow you to see the Tolmin Gorge as well.
| Price list | |
|---|---|
| Adults | 4,00 € |
| Children (6-15 years) | 2,00 € |
| Students and seniors | 3,20 € |
| Family 2+2 | 10,00 € |
| Every next child | 1,00 € |
| Group adults (10+ persons) | 3,20 € |
| Group children (10+ persons) | 1,60 € |
| children (0-5 years), disabled * | free |
Tolmin Gorge and Dante’s Cave
Just like visiting Jovorca and the Tolminka spring, I advise you to leave your vehicle in the free parking lot on the edge of Tolmin (below the castle) and from there take a free transport to the starting point to visit the Tolmin Gorge and Dante’s Cave.
Tolmin Gorge is probably the biggest attraction you can see in the vicinity of Tolmin. And the number of tourists in the troughs also confirms this. The troughs are really exceptional, although I expected a little more from them, I especially expected them to be a bit longer (officially 90 minutes). You can easily see the entire trough in 35 minutes, but if you are a little slower and take a lot of photos, you will need about 45 minutes to view it.
The confluence of the Tolminka and Zadlaščica rivers is the lowest point of the Triglav National Park, and it is also the only confluence within the troughs in Slovenia. When crossing the Tolminka, first turn left, between the steep walls of the Tolminka, and then you will return back to the confluence and walk into the Zadlaščica gorge, which is also extremely deep and beautiful. Then take the circular path to the road above the Devil’s Bridge.
It is very nice and cold in the gorge and visiting the beautiful gorges will be very pleasant even in the hottest weather. At the confluence, you can descend to the water and refresh yourself with it.
When exiting the gorge above the Devil’s Bridge, don’t forget to walk to Dante’s Cave, which is about a 5-minute walk from the exit from the gorge. The cave is best known for the fact that when it was visited, the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri was inspired by hell in the poem Divine Comedy.
To visit the cave, you must officially have a cave guide with you, and cave equipment is also required. If you enter the cave only a few meters, a lamp on the phone will be enough, but if you want to see more cave, which is more than a kilometer long, you will need serious equipment, with a helmet, headlamp (another for reserve), suitable footwear…
As you descend along the road towards the entry point into the gorge, you will also walk across the Devil’s Bridge, which is an exceptional point above the gorge. It is located about 60 meters above Tolminka and offers us a beautiful view of the troughs and confluences of Tolminka and Zadlaščica.
| Price list of the Tolmin Gorge | March, April, October, November | May, June, September | July, August until 4 p.m. | July, August after 4 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adults | 6,00 EUR | 8,00 EUR | 10,00 EUR | 8,00 EUR |
| children (from 6 to 15 years of age) | 3.00 EUR | 4,00 EUR | 5,00 EUR | 4,00 EUR |
| children (0-5 years), disabled * | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR |
| students * (up to 26 years), seniors ** (over 65 years) | 5,00 EUR | 6,00 EUR | 8,00 EUR | 6,00 EUR |
| family 2 + 2 | 15,00 EUR | 20,00 EUR | 25,00 EUR | 20,00 EUR |
| every next child | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR | 1,00 EUR |
| group adults (minimum 10 people) | 5,00 EUR | 6,00 EUR | 8,00 EUR | 6,00 EUR |
| group children (minimum 10 people) | 2,50 EUR | 3,00 EUR | 4,00 EUR | 3,00 EUR |
| cardholders of the Julian Alps: Soča Valley | free | free | free | free |
Tolmin castle
- Ascent time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty of the route: easy route
- Height: 426 meters
- Altitude difference: 200 meters
- Starting point: free parking lot P2 in Tolmin (46.1903, 13.7308)
- Recommended footwear, and equipment: sports hiking shoes and poles
Tolmin Castle is another beautiful point of Tolmin, which offers us exceptional views of Tolmin and the Soča Valley. However, it is true that with all the beauties that Tolmin offers, the castle is a bit lost … you can climb the castle from several directions, I started from the free parking lot under the castle, which is otherwise intended for viewing the gorge, but I descended along with another, friendlier path.
The ascent from this site is carried out by tractor road and I do not like such routes the most. I was descending along a very pleasant promenade, which descends towards Tolmin in long serpentines.
Apart from a beautiful view of the entire Tolmin, the Soča Valley and the surrounding mountains, the castle offers you nothing else. Well, at the top there is also a board with the described history of this building and a few benches where you can relax after a rather strenuous ascent.
However, the castle hill is a very popular recreational walking point for locals, as there is a trim trail around the hill with various props on which you can relax your body.
German ossuary from the First World War
The German ossuary from the First World War is not as “spectacular” as the Javorca, or the one in Kobarid. But given that we will be in the immediate vicinity of the last resting place of German soldiers who fell in the 12th Offensive of the Isonzo Front, it is worth walking to it and seeing it. The ossuary was built in 1938 and was built by the Germans.
The ossuary is located in the immediate vicinity of the bathing area at the confluence of the Soča and Tolminka rivers. Upon arrival at the swimming pool parking lot, the sign will direct you to the right, where the mentioned building is located about 200 meters away.
Swimming pool at the confluence of the Tolminka and Soča rivers
It will probably not be difficult to find the swimming pool, but still … At the main crossroads near the museum, where we turned right for the source of Tolminka, Javorca and the gorge (if you came to Tolmin from the direction of Most na Soči), now turn left. if we return from the troughs, we simply continue straight ahead. After about 500 meters, the road will lead us to the parking lot next to the former Yugoslav Army building. The building is abandoned today, but the parking lot, which is hidden under dense tree canopies, is extremely friendly to the temperature in your vehicle.
Only 100 meters of pleasant walk separates us from the confluence. The beach is very lively in nice weather. There were surprisingly many on my last visit to foreigners, especially Italians.
Of course, the beautiful Soča and especially Tolminka, which in my opinion is a degree or two colder than her bigger sister, will make sure that you are not too hot on the beach. In the background, a nice place takes care of the cold, where you are served a chilled drink with a friendly smile.
For all those of you who haven’t been to the confluence yet. The Soča is already very calm here and you can really swim, and have fun in and on it in one way or another. It is a bit different with Tolminka, it calms down only when it flows into the Soča, as its flow is still very lively just before the outflow. Because of this, anything more than soaking in it will not come into play. And this irrigation will be for those most heated, or the bravest. At the time of my last cooling in it, it was only a few tenths more than 6°C. At least that’s what they said in the bar on the beach and based on the experience with ice water, I would just agree with them.
In any case, I highly recommend that after a busy day, refreshment in one or both rivers. The drive home will be much more pleasant, and the regeneration of the body is much better after a few minutes of soaking in ice water … Proven. 😀
Conclusion
Tolmin is an extremely interesting place. I am especially impressed by the natural beauty in its surroundings, but the city also has an exceptional cultural heritage, which can also be seen in the museum there, which I did not visit this time, but according to locals, the museum is worth a visit. Maybe I confirm this or. reject on next visit.
Tolmin is also an exceptional starting point for an attack on our Julian Alps. We don’t need much time and we are already in the heart of our largest mountain range, but go to the mountains in the early hours, as temperatures on this side of the mountains are even higher than in Gorenjska and most slopes are very exposed to the sun …
If you need some more ideas for trips in these parts, I suggest you read the article entitled Where in Bovec, how to Krn Lake and Idrija – a place that will impress you.
I wish you a wonderful trip around Tolmin and go to Nature as often as possible!
