Krn Lake
the iconic walk
The largest mountain lake in the Julian Alps, at 1,350 m. A hut fifteen minutes short of the lake serves food, June to September. No swimming - the water is protected.
Hikes and walks near Bovec
Everything from a half-hour stroll to a full day above 1,300 m, all within about half an hour of the door.
Whatever you pick, open maPZS before you set off. It carries the Alpine Association's notices on paths that are closed or damaged, and in these mountains that changes through the season.
Where to go
Tolmin Gorges
the lowest way into Triglav National Park
Devil's Bridge sixty metres above the Tolminka, the Bear's Head wedged in the Zadlaščica canyon, and a thermal spring at 18.8-20.8 °C. Ticketed, and entry is limited - buy ahead in summer. Free parking at P2 (15 min walk) and P3 (30 min), paid at the entrance from Easter to 30 September, with a free shuttle in high season. Proper shoes; a child carrier rather than a pushchair. Open in rain, shut in storms or high water.
Kozjak Waterfall
fifteen metres into a bowl of rock
Half an hour on an easy path of small wooden bridges, ending on a terrace facing the fall. Fine with children. No swimming in the pool beneath it - it is protected ground; get in the river instead. Free with the Julian Alps Card.
Boka Waterfall
one of the highest falls in Slovenia, and the closest thing to the house
A steep walk up to the height of the fall from the road below. Srpenica is the closest village to it. Take care near the top: the path runs along a drop and there is nothing between you and it - keep well back from the edges.
Before you set off
maPZS
every marked trail in Slovenia, and which ones are shut
The Alpine Association of Slovenia's official map of every maintained, waymarked path in the country - the one people here actually use to plan a walk. Pan to Bovec and you get the hikes near you laid out with their distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty, so you can pick something that fits the afternoon you have rather than the one you hoped for. The reason to open it before you set off rather than after: it carries the association's current notices on paths that are closed, damaged or impassable. Trails in the Julian Alps change through the season - storms take out bridges, rockfall shuts a section for a summer, and the high paths hold snow well into June - and none of that is on a printed map or in a guidebook. Free, in English, and worth loading while you still have signal.