www.canoekayak.co.uk | August 2014
A PADDLERS’ GUIDE
to the River Soca Slovenia’s Emerald River Nestled in the Julian Alps the Soca River, in Slovenia, is an absolute gem and is growing in popularity with UK paddlers every year. ARTICLE AND IMAGES BY ROSS MONTANDON
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HE SOCA a has been a firm favourite with travelling UK paddlers for years now. It’s reliable feed of water allows for us Brits to access stress-free grade 3 whitewater. Nestled in the northwest corner of Slovenia, the Soca sits at the base of the Julian Alps. With emerald water, rolling mountains and easy access most grade 2/3 paddlers will find they return to the Soca time and time again.
Logistics One of the main attractions of the Soča as a location for a whitewater paddling trip destination is that once you’ve made the long journey it has everything you could possibly need for a relaxed boating holiday. Your first stop, once you’ve gotten over the long drive, should be the tourist information centre in the town of
Bovec. Here you can purchase your river permit. This permit is essential for keeping the access and egress points, toilets and river facilities maintained. They will also give you up to date information on water levels and even have photographs of some of the hazards. All put ins and take outs are marked from the road too! It really is easy and the info you need to go paddling is handed to you on a plate.
The Boating The Soča Valley is home to by no means the most challenging whitewater. If you are looking for steep grade 4/5 whitewater then you are probably best hitting places like Val Sesia and Ticino or maybe head to Austria for some early season high volume. The rapids of the Soča offer fun paddling with a few more serious challenges thrown in to keep you on
your toes and this makes it an ideal play and training ground. You can fit all the sections of the Soča and Kortnica in seven days easily. The Soča lends itself well for a first paddling trip abroad. And these ideal conditions mean that it is rapidly over taking destinations like the French Alps trip as the annual destination for many canoe clubs spring/summer trips. Each section of river is clearly signposted and the name and grade of section marked. All you have to do is decide what cag to wear. There are so many combinations to the sections of the Soča that you can enjoy any permutation you choose as you drive up and down the valley. We’ve included some of the main sections, to wet your appetite! Some sections do get a bit low as the season progresses so do use your own judgment once you’re there.
[Above] Crystal clear waters on the Soca
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DESTINATION GUIDE
Krosvec – Kamp Toni Grade 2/3 Bring your Camera! In classic summer levels this run starts with meandering gravel beds that are fairly typical in the Soča Valley. After a short stretch to warm you up you’ll come round a corner to spot the river disappearing into a gorge. You can inspect on either side, it is also possible to walk down from the road, to inspect, on the drive up. This gorge is stunning with a great little lead in that wants some thinking about. A grade three rapid narrows in to a brilliant section of bedrock and emerald water. It makes for an interesting lead with a group, so if you are unsure make sure you all have a good look. In higher water this slot drop becomes more continuous. From here down to the confluence of the Kortnica, which flows in to the Soča on the right. You can enjoy some mellow read and run grade two. Here you can either take out at Kamp Toni, and go again, or enjoy the grade 2 run down to the bridge at Cezsoča. The section below is no stress giving time for the paddler to enjoy the views the valley offers as it opens up.
Slovenia
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www.canoekayak.co.uk | August 2014
“This short read and run boulder garden is perfect for a blast in the evenings, or something a bit quicker to hone more advanced skills on.�
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DESTINATION GUIDE
Boka – Srpencia 2 Grade 2/3 Put in under the bridge by the hotel on the corner. This section is a mellow warm up for a first day shake down. It begins on open gravel beds, giving paddlers the opportunity to surf a few waves and break in and out. The most interesting section begins as the river bends right and gorges in slightly with an almost jungle-like mish-mash of trees distancing you from the road above. Here the river picks up with some fun surf waves and boily eddy lines. It’s ideal for paddlers getting used to the nature of the river. All the rapids on the section are read and run and it finishes as the river pools out by a beach, on the right hand side. This is a great spot for practicing rolling, having a swim or enjoying a civilized lunch. A short but steep walk leads you to your car.
Srpencia 2- Slalom Course, Trnovo Grade 2/3 This section is ideal for paddlers who want to hone their skills whilst on the move. The whitewater is more compact keeping you busy. As you snick around boulders and peer over horizon lines, staying on your game and hitting some sweet moves. There is nothing of real hazard on this section and it’s all perfect read and run, with fun grade 2 plus to grade 3 rapids. There are lots of eddies and some stunning, deep pools that really give you a real sense of the Soča’s beauty. You may even spot a Soča trout looking back up at you in one of the crystal clear pools! You can
take out river right on a gravel beach. This is the start of the slalom course section.
Slalom Course Grade 3 (4) The slalom course begins where a footbridge crosses the river. This short read and run boulder garden is perfect for the paddler who wants a blast in the evenings, or something a bit quicker to hone more advanced skills on. A grade 4 paddler will have no problem route finding as they boof and flair their way down. There are small eddies and pools to catch or pick up kit, if need be, if you are quick. A cobbled path river right leads you back to the top to do it all again. The only hazard you need to be aware of is the start of Syphon Canyon, a gorge that begins directly below the slalom course. So it’s advisable to scout the take out before you get on. Another note of caution, due to its proximity to the more serious, and hazardous, Syphon Canyon it’s probably best to avoid running the slalom course if any members of your group do not have a reliable roll.
[Left] Sandy beaches
Way to go Flying in
The nearest airports for the area are Venice and Lijbunaja. From these it is a few hours drive to the town of Bovec.
Hiring Boats
Visit Alpine Action in Trnovo, these guys have a full fleet of whitewater boats, which makes for a stress free trip to the valley.
Not Just Boating
There’s plenty to do if you have managed to bring a non-paddling partner. With great walking, horse riding and mountain biking in the area.
Accommodation
The valley is full of holiday apartments, Bed and Breakfasts and well-equipped campsites, which are located right next to the river. Kamp Toni has everything you need for a stress free camping experience, with fire pits, wi-fi, clean showers and laundry facilities, all right next to the Kortinica Soca confluence.
Syphon Canyon The Syphon Canyon, whilst runnable, is by far the most serious and dangerous section of the Soča with horrendous sumps, siphons and undercuts lying all over the place to catch the unwary. Much of the tragedy, and in turn its reputation, on this section has been earned by rafting groups but it should always be approached with caution and respect.
Local Amenities
The small town of Bovec has everything you should need for a holiday. The small supermarket will stock your needs while the local pizzerias; ice cream parlours and restaurants make for affordable and enjoyable eating.
Ferries
Depending on your route, you can book very cheap ferries across to Dunkeque even in peak season.
Seasonality
The Soca has one of the longest seasons in Europe. From slightly pushier grade 3/4 in May down to mellow grade 2/3 all the way to September before things start cooling off.
Other Rivers
Once in the Soca Valley you have got pretty much everything you need for the grade 3 paddler. If you are driving down through Austria then you can pop in to Imst or Landeck for a blast down the Inn or Sanna.
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www.canoekayak.co.uk | August 2014
Otona- Napoleonov Grade 3 This section is one of the best on the river when it comes to quality of whitewater for the grade 3 paddler. The road is a long way up from the river and one thing to remember as you climb down to get to the get in is to take the smaller steeper track down. This will save you a lot of hassle and is the quickest way to the river. You will arrive after a hot walk down at a stunningly beautiful pool. The first rapid you will see does have a small siphon river left, at low water this can be sneaked easily, or portaged river right. In higher water it can be a bit pushier. Take it as you please. Next up lies a fun read and run boulder garden, where a few moves are needed to get a clean line. A quick glance river right can tell you all you need to know if unsure. The river opens up with some more read and run grade 2 until you come to a distinct drop in the river. Here the SoÄ?a funnels in and makes a quick turn left. You can easily inspect river left in need be. The river continues with clean read and run, keeping you busy. Any rapids can be scouted, just keep your wits about you and use your own judgment. The gorge continues but never feels intimidating or pressing. Everything is scoutable and stress free. The river flattens right out as the walls gorge in and the high bridge of Napoleonov marks the get out. You can scramble up a steep, short bank or paddle a further 400-meters down to a gravel beach on river left. Here a clear walk to a big car park can be found.
Koritnica – Kamp Toni Grade 2 This section is a must for any paddler visiting the area. The lines are clean and clear, with stunning micro gorges breaking up the journey down. The marked steep path down leads you to a messy grade 2, you can walk round this or just bimble on down. There is a big eddy river left where you can have a look at the next 300-meter gorge. This gorge is no more than grade 2 maybe 3 in early season flows. But it is worth having a look for any logjams. The line is straightforward and stunning, so take your camera! From here the fun continues with smooth read and run grade 2 action. There are loads of small jets, round boulders and a feeling of an almost jungle nature. Before you know it you will find yourself at a boulder garden rapid leading down to Kamp Toni. Be warned, this will usually be marked by swimmers and men in Speedos! This is a nice little rapid for walking back up for multiple runs and can provide a variety of challenges depending on the levels.
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[Above] The Soca Valley
[ABOUT THE AUTHOR] ROSS MONTANDON Ross is our resident coaching expert and is a British Canoeing Level 5 Whitewater Coach who has clocked up the river miles all over the globe. From Californian creeks to high water in the Himalayas. Ross also runs whitewater holidays to Scotland Slovenia and Nepal. Through his coaching company New Wave Coaching.
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