Slovenia by International Mountain Leader Martin McGowan
The southern end of the Triglav National Park around Tolmin offers clients an opportunity to explore an area which offers a diverse range of climates from mediterranean to alpine and continental. This range of climates leads to a diverse range of flora within the area. The south-eastern area of the Julian Alps tends to be less busy than the 7 Lakes and the Triglav area of the park so one can get a sense of tranquillity and is also likely to see fauna, such as Chamois.
How easy is it to get to?
It is very easy to get to Tolmin by either flying into Slovenia or Italy. From Italy you can either use the train from Trieste and Venice as there is now a cross border bus service from Gorica train station to Nova Gorica’s bus station and then on to Tolmin. If you prefer to fly-drive, to give yourself flexibility, the only problem I have encountered is getting snow chains for the hire car at Venice airport in winter as they are compulsory in Slovenia.
From Ljubjana’s airport at Brnik you can get public transport to Tolmin, although for a group a pre-ordered taxi works best. If you decide to fly drive then one option is to use the train from Bohinjska Bistrica to Most na Soci about 5km from Tolmin see http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/…/passenger-…/timetable/motorail , to avoid driving through the mountains. Just remember in winter to have your duvet jacket and hat in the car rather than the boot as it is an hour sitting inside a car in very cold conditions.
Can you tell us about the most memorable moment of a recent trip?
My most memorable trip to this area was a winter one to the Dom na Kammi hut where I proposed to my wife. Whilst with a client group of young adults, I enjoyed watching them discover a country that was virtually unknown to them. The limestone scenery gave them a chance to see a very dramatic landscape with high cliffs and Alpine plateaus.
What are your top tips for anyone travelling to this area?
This is a karst area so in the summer there will be a lot of reflected sunlight off the rock so ensure you have got sun protection.
The area around the Koca na Planni Razor is very quiet and there is an excellent one day circular ridge walk from the hut around the Migovec plateau with an excellent views from Tolminski Kuk.
In winter always ensure your hire car has snow chains and winter tyres as the southern end of the park receives the highest snowfall because in winter the wind predominately carries moisture off the Adriatic and dumps it in the Tolmin and Bovec area.
December and January is when the area has the highest snowfall and avalanche risk is most likely to be at its highest.
What else is there to do, other than mountaineering, in this area?
Tolmin is in the Soca valley so there are plenty of operators who will offer white water rafting, canyoning and other adventure activities.
The area was the site of several battles during World War 1 so Tolmin has 3 war cemeteries, including Javorca a WW1 wooden chapel! Just up the valley in Kobarid there is an Italian chapel and museum.
Tolmin has a programme of cultural festivals in the summer from reggae to metal and in winter Bovec and Cernko both offer skiing.
Are there any dangers or annoyances here?
The main annoyance in winter is the pre dawn temperatures as I have encountered down to -20. So, you need to ensure you have brought your camera down to the boot room at least an hour before you go out so that the temperature can equalise and you do not have a foggy lens. Spare batteries for the camera must be carried and kept warm as the cold makes them less effective.
What one piece of kit could you not manage without on a trip like this?
Alpine flower books as within this small area you can cross several different zones and therefore encounter different flower species on either side of the ridge separating the Migovec Plateau from the Kamno Plateau. In winter you can easily photograph sunrise as it is later, but you need to be prepared for very cold temperatures, so a large duvet jacket is required. I use a Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Parka. Always have a pair of thin of glove underneath your mittens so when you take off the gloves to handle the camera you are protected from the cold.
