This ultimate guide is based on +30 tours from more than 15 activity agencies near Bovec, Soca Valley. Every detail about the tours, the locations, the canyons, the difficulties, the dates, and the prices...
I've been to Slovenia three times, so I know how hard it is to choose the right canyoning tour. I made this post to help you find the best canyoning tour near Bovec to ensure that your vacation will be amazing.
Bovec
The most common destination is Bovec, where you can find numerous options to try out canyoning. As there are various canyons, Bovec is suitable for families with children, beginners, and adventure-hungry enthusiasts keen on trying out challenging canyons.
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If you are near Bovec (Soca Valley, Triglav National Park, Slovenia), canyoning is a must-have! Hence, you can find Slovenia's most beautiful and playful canyons; the opportunities to try canyoning are endless.
But because of the vast selection and various options, choosing the right canyoning is hard. Surely, you will consider the following:
- Difficulty + Fun part + Starting time & duration + Price
Video
Canyons near Bovec
- Sušec Canyon - 15 mins drive
- Fratarica Canyon - 20 mins drive
- Kozjak Canyon - 30 mins drive
- Predelica Canyon - 40 mins drive
Where is Bovec located?
The vivid mountain town is located in the Soca Valley, Triglav National Park, Slovenia. The valley's three main cities are Bovec, Tolmin, and Kobarid.
However, from all the main cities, you can easily access the canyons; 99% of the tour operators are located in Bovec. So when you are looking for canyoning in the Soca Valley, basically, you are most likely going to do canyoning from Bovec.
Soca Valley offers the most prominent and beautiful canyons not just in Slovenia but in Europe as well.
Difficulties of the canyons
| Bovec canyons | Difficulties |
|---|---|
| Susec | Family-friendly, beginner |
| Fratarica | Intermediate |
| Kozjak | Intermediate |
| Upper Predelica | Intermediate |
| Full Predelica? | Advanced |
Visiting rules
You can only visit the canyons by a group tour led by certified, professional guides who have the necessary certificate! Whichever canyon you pick, your starting point will be the provider's office around Bovec. From here, the guide will take you to the gorge by car or a minivan.
Can't do canyoning:
- non-swimmers
- under the influence of any drugs or alcohol
- pregnant women
- have physical or mental disabilities
- usually, children under 10 years of age
What is canyoning?
Canyoning here in Bovec is an outdoor activity in which you travel through the untouched canyons of rivers like Soca's streams using different techniques. These techniques include walking, sliding down natural water slides, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and swimming.
Canyoning offers an exciting and safe gorge experience from a new perspective. The fun is guaranteed for all!
In the canyons of Bovec, you will beat many emerald waterfalls and natural slides.
#1 Susec canyon
Sušec is a gorge that offers great fun for those who encounter a canyon for the first time, containing exciting water slides, waterfalls, and pools.
The first few waterfalls are only 1-2 meters high, so you can focus on skill-learning with the first jumps or slides. While progressing through the canyon, the waterfalls are rising (up to 8 meters high).
In Susec canyon, the highest waterfall is only 8m high, and it's possible to slide down most of the falls instead of jumping or abseiling!
Group tours
- Starting city: Bovec
- Price: €50 - €70
- Tours start at: 9 am, 11am, 1,30pm, 2pm, 3pm
- Season: April - October
- Duration: 1,5 -2 hours net canyoning
- Tour's duration: 3 -4 hours in total
- Level: Easy - beginner canyon with jumps and slides and a little rope technic
- Minimum age: 10 yrs old
- Highest waterfall: 8m
- Length of the canyoning tour: 2 km
- Distance from Bovec: ~ 15 mins drive
- Parking lot -> canyon entrance: about 30 mins walk
- Group size: ~ 10 people
- Advantage: easiest canyon, ideal for families, and novice adventurers, best price
- Disadvantage: quite popular in high season, less challenging
Where is Susec canyon?
The Sušec canyon is within a 15-minute scenic drive from Bovec (7 km) towards Kobarid.
It is well hidden in the wood of the Stol mountain range, just by the main road from Bovec to the Mediterranean sea. Susec is the closest canyon to Bovec.
#2 Fratarica canyon
In the heart of the Triglav National Park, Fratarica is one of the most unique and picturesque gorges near Bovec. Here, you'll find yourself in harmony with the spectacular environment.
Canyoning Fratarica is suitable for adventurous amateurs and experienced adults as well. Fratarica is about canyoning through beautiful and amazing (also high) waterfalls and discovering hidden corners of the beautiful Triglav National Park.
You will enjoy Fratarica if you like waterfalls and have no fear of heights.
It covers some rope techniques (3 waterfalls) on descending waterfalls between 15 - 45 m high. It includes the famous 47m heigh Parabola waterfall.
Group tours
- Starting city: Bovec&Bled
- Price: ~ €100
- Tours start: 9 am, 10 am, 2 pm
- Season: April - October
- Duration: 2-3 hours net canyoning
- Tour's duration: 4-5 hours in total
- Level: Medium canyon with jumps and slides and one high waterfall with rope technic
- Minimum age: 16 yrs old
- Highest waterfall: 47m
- Distance from Bovec: ~ 20 mins drive
- Parking lot -> canyon entrance: about 35 mins walk
- Group size: ~ 10 people
- Advantage: Fratarica is beautiful and contains an impressive 47m high waterfall. Not a technical canyon.
- Disadvantage: It contains a higher waterfall with 47 height, which is unsuitable if you fear height.
Difficulty of Fratarica
Fratarica canyon has a difficulty level of medium, and it is more advanced compared to Susec. No previous experience is required, as it's not a technical canyon.
This canyon is ideal for people with an average fitness level and who like an adventure. Ropes are mandatory on three waterfalls. You can jump and slide forward into the pools on the rest of the route. Fratarica is not suitable for kids under 16 years old.
If you are wondering how hard it can be – Fratarica is more relaxed than the advanced Predelica but more adventurous than Susec canyon.
Where is Fratarica located?
The canyon is 12 km out of Bovec, with a 20-minutes drive. It is located in the neighbourhood of Log pod Mangartom, at the foot of the majestic Loška Stena.
Susec vs. Fratarica
The main difference between Sušec and Fratarica canyons is that Sušec is less demanding, while Fratarica is more technical. Some would say Susec is more fun, but those who already tried out canyoning or loves the right amount of adrenaline and challenge - might enjoy Fratarica more.
Waterfalls are also much higher, up to 45-50 meters high. That means you will be using rope and harness most of the time. However, both canyons have emerald green water pools; Fratarica is wilder than Susec - so somewhat say it's more beautiful. They both contain many options to jump or to slide; Fratarica contains more rope techniques.
Sušec is more about the fun part, while Fratarica is more about being proud of what you achieved. So, the real question is:
Do you want to abseil a 47m high waterfall, or not?
- Yes => Fratarica
- No => Susec
#3 Kozjak canyon
Kozjak is a jaw-dropping, mysterious canyon waiting for you to discover. The narrow and aquatic canyon contains a scenic, beautiful pool with the famous 25m Kozjak waterfall. In the Soca Valley, when it comes to canyoning, Kozjak is a must! The thrilling adventure includes a cave, numerous jumps into narrow pools, swimming, and rappels.
Thousands of tourists visit Kozjak waterfall on foot, but if you seek more fun, let's do canyoning instead of just walking! Here, the stream has created narrow crevasses and deep caverns.
The picturesque walls, river beds, waterfalls, and crystal-clear green water pools represent the main feature of the canyon. Wild and unspoiled nature formations will lead you through four waterfalls in the upper part of the canyon.
Group tours
- Starting city: Bovec (the closest city is Kobarid)
- Price: ~ €100
- Tours start: 8:30 am, 9 am, 2 pm
- Season: April - October
- Duration: 3-4 hours net canyoning
- Tour's duration: 5-6 hours in total
- Level: Medium canyon - with jumps and slides and more rope technic
- Minimum age: 14 yrs old
- Highest waterfall: 17m
- Distance from Bovec: ~ 30 mins drive
- Parking lot -> canyon entrance: about 35 mins walk
- Group size: ~ 8 people
- Advantage: The most unique and scenic canyon of all gorges in Slovenia.
- Disadvantage: The best suit for those who have previous canyoning or climbing experience.
Why choose Kozjak?
Among all the canyoning trips from Bovec, Kozjak offers the most swimming opportunities. You can enjoy swimming in tight tunnels between the enormous walls. Here, you will feel like you were dropped into a fairytale book. A unique adventure awaits you here!
Difficulty of Kozjak
Kozjak is a challenging route, and previous canyoning experience is an advantage. It has six waterfalls; the highest one is the Great Kozjak (17m high), which ends in a wide turquoise-coloured pool.
Where is Kozjak located?
The trip is about a 30-minute drive from Bovec toward Kobarid.
#4 Predelica canyon
Situated in the Triglav National Park, this canyon will leave you speechless. Without ropes or technical stuff, it is impossible to discover this stunning canyon's hidden waterfalls.
You can only spot the gorge from the outside, at three points in the upper, middle, and lower sections. At some point, the canyon turns into layered cliffs like the shape of a fan. The entire surrounding is wild, so it's a great place to treat yourself to some real canyoning.
Difficulty
Predelica canyon is divided into two sections. The upper part is suitable for beginners, as it is less challenging with a medium difficulty level. The lower part of the Predelica canyon is considered hard. However, the whole canyoning route would take 7-8 hours to finish; the upper part only needs 3-4 hours.
Upper Predelica
Upper Predelica is a magnificent whole day trip, inside the most beautiful but tricky level canyon, with lots of high rappels and jumps. One of the most famous abseils is Zaročenca, whose 32 m in height.
Group tours
- Starting city: Bovec, Bled
- Price: ~ €100
- Tours start: 9 am, 2 pm
- Season: April - October
- Duration: 2-3 hours net canyoning
- Tour's duration: 4-5 hours in total
- Level: Medium canyon - with jumps and slides and more rope technic
- Minimum age: 16 yrs old
- Highest waterfall: 32m
- Distance from Bovec: ~ 30 mins drive
- Parking lot -> canyon entrance: about 35 mins walk
- Group size: ~ 8 people
- Advantage: A wild, challenging experience with some fun parts.
- Disadvantage: There are some high waterfalls, and they can be more technical than Kozjak or Fratarica.
Full Predelica
Challenge your fears, confront your limits, and let your inner child free. Taste the natural waters of the Predelica gorge and extend your journey for full-day fun. Narrow canyons, tumbling waterfalls, and crystal clear emerald pools await you!
Group tours
- Starting city: Bovec, Bled
- Price: ~ €140
- Tours start: 8:30 am, 9 am
- Season: May - October
- Duration: 2-3 hours net canyoning
- Tour's duration: ~5 hours in total
- Level: Hard - this is a technical and challenging canyon
- Minimum age: 18 yrs old
- Highest waterfall: 45m
- Distance from Bovec: ~ 30 mins drive
- Parking lot -> canyon entrance: about 35 mins walk
- Group size: ~ 2 people
- Advantage: The most challenging canyon is Slovenia. The adrenalin rush is guaranteed. No tourists here, just you and nature.
- Disadvantage: This is a challenging canyon. You have to be fit to participate in this tour, and you also have to have previous canyoning experience.
Where is Predelica?
Predelica stream flows from Predel pass towards Log pod Mangartom, gathering the melted snow from Mangart Mt and the surrounding mountains. It is located in the Koritnica valley near Bovec.
Weather conditions
While you are making your decision on where to go canyoning, the temperature is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if it's a colder day; the temperature is almost the same inside the canyons. However, if it's raining, the guides may cancel all canyoning activities without exception.
In case of heavy rain throughout a couple of days, the water level can increase drastically. In this case, some canyons might be closed to tourists.
Inside the canyon, it is a bit cooler than the external temperature, so expect 5 degrees less while canyoning. Otherwise, you won't feel cold, as you'll be wearing a neoprene suit.
I consider canyoning my favourite summer activity, so I hope this summary was helpful for you, and now you will make a great choice. Contact me if you still can't decide which canyoning you should choose. I'm happy to help.
Try out canyoning; maybe that's the missing ingredient to your next Slovenian adventure around Bovec!