When hearing the word Alps, most people think of the high mountain peaks, climbing or at least trekking. But there is so much more to do and to see in the region. Julian Alps are no exception. The Western Julian Alps lie on the border between Slovenia and Italy and are a popular weekend goal for many visitors. But there are places that don’t see many tourists. Even in Italy, if you believe.
For one there is the Valley of Rezija (Val Resia). Only lately it is becoming popular to visitors due to canyoning, trekking and a renewed mountian dairy in Kot (Malga Coot, N46° 19.779′ E13° 25.665′). The mountain massif of Kanin overlooks the valley that can be reached whether by nice winding road from the valley of Učja (Uccea) near Bovec or from the highway in Kanalska Valley (Val Canale). The forests and the rivers are extremely beautiful and there are still some places where you can enjoy the solitude. Even on a summer weekend.
Don’t be too shocked – the inhabitants of Rezija speak a unique dialect, known as the Resian. According to most linguists, Resian is a transitory dialect between the Carinthian and Littoral dialects of Slovene. Even as a Slovene I can barely understand their language in written form, but I do remember an ancient TV series called “The Little Beasts of Rezija“.
There are many similar valleys in the area – Reklanica (Val Raccolana), Dunja (Val Dogna), Valley of Mrzla voda (Val Riofreddo – literraly valley of the cold water), all worth visiting. From Rezija you can pass the valey of Reklanica and over Sella Nevea to Rabeljska Valley (Val Rio del Lago). Most people just visit Rabeljsko Lake (Lago di Predil, nice place to swim at N46° 24.999′ E13° 33.501′) where you can swim and rent boats or Belopeška Lakes (Laghi di Fusine, enrance at N46° 28.936′ E13° 40.498′). Keep in mind those are fairly popular spots on weekends and instead of the nice hike around the lakes you can spend an hour struggling along the path fighting your way through a mass of overperfumed italian pensioners, bored teens staring at their cellphones and overenthusiastic cyclists dragging their precious bikes over deeply rutted paths. Not to mention the automotive chaos of cars looking for a parking place. But the views are still very nice.
From Belopeška Lakes on you can complete the circle trip by climbing the Vršič pass to the Valley of Trenta and on to Bovec. The Virje Waterfall (N46° 20.092′ E13° 30.838′) on Gljun brook is a nice place to visit even during crowded summer days. Swim at your own rish though, the water rarely reaches 10°C. To end the weekend with swimming in beatiful gorges of Nadiža river (N46° 14.922′ E13° 29.954′) is just a bonus or, as they say, a cherry on a cake.
Activities to pursue: hiking, trekking and ferrata climbing various mountain paths from mount Montaž (Montasio) to peaks aroud Vršič pass, cycling & downhill, swimming, bathing, canyoning, rafting, paragliding,… the list goes on and on. Mountain huts offer traditional foods. Bending routes are popular with motobike riders. During winter season skiing is great too, but some lifts operate during summer too.
Keep in mind that the area is partly protected as national park Parco Naturale Regionale delle Prealpi Giulie and most of the dirt roads, especially in more popular areas, are blocked by rail barriers and often under camera surveillance to. If you decide to partake in forbidden pleasure of wildcamping don’t forget that forest guards patrol the area and are equiped wit 4x4s.
For those who have time there is a video available:
Dodaj odgovor