CŠOD Kavka – Kolovrat, Soča Valley

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Our hike begins in CŠOD Kavka, which is the centre situated a little further from the hamlet Nebesa (Slovene name for Heaven) above Kobarid. The trail to Kolovrat is not hard and is suitable even for children. A lot of great views and an even more breathtaking outdoor museum at a half point of the walk is the reward enough for making some effort. The route is about 8 km long with an elevation gain of less than 300 m. Time required to complete the trail, with stops on the way, is around 3 hours.

INTERESTING SPOTS ON THE TRAIL

The Kavka Centre in Livške Ravne, where the hike starts, is a youth hostel and outdoor education centre, offering a range of programs and activities for young people. It is located in the heart of the Soča Valley and is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. The centre is another option for a school trip accommodation – the hostel has dormitory-style rooms, with shared bathrooms and a dining hall that serves traditional Slovenian cuisine, as well as vegetarian and other dietary options. The programs and activities at CŠOD Kavka focuses on outdoor education and adventure, and include activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, and mountain biking.

Outdoor Museum Kolovrat. The circular path through the outdoor museum Kolovrat, also known as the Kolovrat Peace Park, is a historical site dedicated to the events that took place in this area during World War I, specifically the battles that occurred on Mount Kolovrat and in the Isonzo Front. The museum consists of a series of outdoor exhibits, including trenches, bunkers, and other military fortifications, which have been preserved and restored to their original state.

Mount Kolovrat. Kuk with its 1243 m is the highest peak of Kolovrat, a mountain range from Livek to Kambreška. During World War I, the mountain was a strategic location in the front lines of the Italian-Austrian conflict, and was the site of several battles. Today, Mount Kolovrat is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are several hiking trails that lead to the summit of the mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trails vary in difficulty and length, so hikers of all levels can find a suitable route.

HOW TO GET THERE

The distance from Ljubljana to Nebesa is between 110 – 170 km depending on the road taken. The journey by car from the capital city would take about 2 – 3 hours.

When you get to the town of Tolmin, proceed toward Kobarid. When you come to the small village of Idrsko, turn left in the direction of Livek. From Livek to CŠOD is a 15-minute drive. You can park in front of the CŠOD Kavka.

There is no direct public transport so definitely for a school trip it is a good idea to hire a bus. The trail goes in a circle so the bus can wait for the students in the same parking place near the entrance on the trail.

WHERE TO STAY

The towns in the Soča Valley are some of the most famous tourist towns in Slovenia. Curious historians, admirers, explorers of nature, seekers of good taste, and lovers of various music genres will enjoy this location. Also school groups preferring to stay overnight in this region to extend the Kolovrat trip to some other interesting locations and activities will find plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Besides hotels and apartments, there are also less expensive offers. You can consult information on this portal dedicated to planning trips to the Soča Valley.

An example of such affordable accommodation for a school trip would be Hostel Soča Rocks in Bovec. It is a youth hostel, situated in the centre of Bovec, offering 68 beds in 6-bedded dorm rooms or double rooms. The bathrooms are shared; you can also use a fully-equipped kitchen and an outdoor barbecue. The combination of wood and lively wall colours adds to the pleasant atmosphere of the hostel.

As guests of the hostel, the students will get a discount on hiring sports equipment if you decide to organise some additional activities for which the Soča Valley is a great place: rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, canyoning, zip line, zorbing or mountain biking.