The best walks and hikes around Tolmin

🌉 Napoleon Bridge (Napoleonov most) The stone arch bridge spans the narrow gorge of the Soča on the outskirts of Kobarid and is one of the town's landmarks. The first stone arch was built in 1750; the bridge got its name because Napoleon's troops crossed it in 1797 on their way to Austria. At the beginning of World War I, in 1915, it was blown up by the retreating Austro-Hungarian army and rebuilt by the Italians. Today it is part of the Kobariška zgodovinska pot and marks the transition from the town to the hiking and kayaking world of the upper Soča. 📸 Best view from the bridge itself down into the gorge – the water glows particularly intensely here 🏊 Below the bridge there are popular swimming spots; entry via the path on the east bank 🛶 Entry point for kayak and rafting tours – correspondingly busy on warm days 🅿️ Small parking lot directly at the bridge, access via the road towards Drežnica 🥾 From here it is only a few minutes to the center of Kobarid

The Duga baba is a figure from the folk tales of Posočje: a “wild woman” with long, disheveled green hair, a crooked nose, and black claws, who according to legend lived in the Zadlaška jama above the gorge. From there, she guarded the path to the confluence – she demanded that every stranger carry her piggyback over the bridge. Those who passed were allowed to continue into the gorge; those who failed were served her infamous bread with snot. A wooden sculpture on the Klammweg trail commemorates the legend. ▪️ Sculpture directly on the circular trail, short photo stop ▪️ Information board on site, legend also known in Slovenian as “Duga baba se da nositi čez brv” ▪️ Nice story for children – the bridge at the confluence is “her” bridge

On the ascent from the Klamm to the Teufelsbrücke, the path leads through a short tunnel carved into the rock. The steps inside are steep and the passage is narrow, dark, and damp – a small adventure on the otherwise well-developed circular trail. Once at the top, the Klamm opens up and the view looks back into the gorge. ▪️ Steps slippery when wet, use the handrail ▪️ Wait briefly for oncoming traffic – the tunnel is only passable one way at a time ▪️ No problem with children, but keep one hand free

On the access path between P2 and the gorge entrance, the view opens up over Zatolmin down to Tolmin and the wide Soča Valley. The small town lies at the confluence of the Tolminka and Soča rivers, behind which the wooded ridges of Kolovrat and Šentviška planota rise. After the narrow, shady gorge, a beautiful contrast: open, wide and mostly sunny. ▪️ Best on the way back with the light at your back ▪️ In clear weather, the view extends to the slopes above Most na Soči ▪️ Not a designated viewpoint – just pause briefly at the side of the path

The Tolmin Gorges are the deepest and southernmost access point to Triglav National Park. The wild streams Tolminka and Zadlaščica have carved deeply into the limestone here and meet in a narrow, shady gorge. At the confluence, a small thermal spring emerges, and a few minutes further on, a mighty rock block, Medvedova glava, is wedged between the walls. Above it all, the Devil's Bridge spans about 60 m above the river. ▪️ Entrance fee applies, with time slot booking in high season ▪️ Well-developed circular path with steps, footbridges, and bridges – slippery when wet ▪️ Starting early is worthwhile: the gorge is almost empty in the morning ▪️ Dante's Cave (Zadlaška jama) is only accessible with a guided tour

The Tolminka Gorge is the deepest and southernmost entrance to Triglav National Park. The wild streams Tolminka and Zadlaščica have carved deeply into the limestone here and meet in a narrow, shady gorge. At the confluence, a small thermal spring emerges, and a few minutes further on, a mighty rock block called Medvedova glava is wedged between the walls. Above it all, the Devil's Bridge spans about 60 m above the river. ▪️ Entrance fee applies, with time slot booking during high season ▪️ Well-developed circular path with steps, footbridges, and bridges – slippery when wet ▪️ Starting early is worthwhile: the gorge is almost empty in the morning ▪️ Dante's Cave (Zadlaška jama) is only accessible with a guided tour

Note the opening hours. The cave will be closed in September 2026. :)

Magnificent view of the turquoise Soca