Kozjak Waterfall: A fairy tale nature experience!
The emerald-green Kozjak waterfall, also known as Slap Kozjak, is one of Slovenia’s most impressive natural spectacles and is a real magnet for visitors. It is located near the town of Kobarid on the edge of the Triglav National Park, more precisely in the beautiful Soca Valley, an area known for its breathtaking nature. Not only is its emerald green color unique, but also the incredibly impressive landscape around the waterfall, which creates an almost fairytale-like atmosphere. Even the hike there, past the turquoise blue Soča and through the deep, mystical forest, is a real experience in itself and offers numerous photo opportunities and unforgettable impressions.
In this travel guide, we give you all the important information about the Kozjak waterfall in Slovenia. We also show you great pictures, give you tips on the hike and where to find the best accommodation nearby.
Hiking to Kozjak Waterfall
The hike from the parking lot towards the waterfall begins by crossing a meadow landscape. After a short walk, you will reach the Soca, Slovenia’s most famous river. The path runs alongside the river for quite a while until you reach a suspension bridge. If you dare, you should take a few steps onto the bridge, because from the suspension bridge you have a fantastic panorama of the Soca!
The Kozjak stream flows into the Soca River and on its way there it passes through several gorges, forming 6 waterfalls. On this hike you can see 2 of them, the first small one at stone bridge and the large Slap Kozjak at the end of the hiking trail.
Just after walking a bit further, you will reach the forest and the nearer you come to the Kozjak Waterfall, the forest becomes deeper and more mystical. You will be amazed by this magical trail!
At the end of the trail there is a small wooden viewing platform where you can get close enough to see the whole beauty of the 15 meters high waterfall. Especially in the morning when the forest is misty and tourists are still away, a visit to the Kozjak Waterfall is an unforgettable experience!
Swimming in the Kozjak Waterfall
Swimming in the emerald green pool of the Kozjak waterfall is generally possible, and especially in the warm summer months there are always visitors who venture into the refreshing water. However, you should bear in mind that swimming here is entirely at your own risk, as there are no official safety precautions or lifeguards. In addition, Slap Kozjak is part of a protected nature reserve, which is why it is not recommended in order to preserve the fragile nature and the untouched beauty of this special place.
Walking time to the waterfall:
The walking time to the Kozjak waterfall varies depending on where you start your hike. From the parking lot near the iconic Napoleon Bridge, the hike takes around 25 minutes and leads you along a well-signposted path through beautiful nature. However, if you set off directly from the town of Kobarid, you should allow around 45 minutes.
How to get to Kozjak Waterfall?
Coming from Kobarid, first drive in the direction of Napoleon Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take the road on the right to Dreznica. After about 150 meters you will come to the parking lot (near Kamp Koren). You can park your car there and start the hike to the Kozjak waterfall.
Parking: Parking is subject to a charge and costs approx. 1.50 EUR per hour.
Best time to visit:
If you want to enjoy the Kozjak waterfall in peace and quiet, we recommend hiking either early in the morning or late in the evening. At these times, you have the chance to experience the magical place almost to yourself without encountering many other visitors. The waterfall can get quite crowded, especially at lunchtime, at weekends and during the vacations, as it is a popular excursion destination. The early hours of the morning are also the best choice for photography enthusiasts, as the light often falls unfavorably into the narrow rocky gorge later in the day.
Where to Stay near Kozjak Waterfall
The best places to stay nearby are the town of Kobarid or the beautiful, sleepy mountain village of Dreznica. Both towns offer excellent and affordable accommodation. The accommodation is mostly apartments and guesthouses, but affordable hostels for backpackers have also been established here. Here are our recommendations for the best accommodation near the Kozjak waterfall… It’s worth a look!
- Guesthouse: The HISA SONCA apartment is a lovely guesthouse in Kobarid. The rooms are well furnished, the breakfast is delicious and the location is great.
- Backpacker hostel: The Hostel Kobarid is an affordable yet stylish place to stay in Kobarid. It also impresses with its excellent location and first-class cleanliness.
- Glamping: The Kamp Koren is a real insider tip as a starting point for a visit to the Kozjak waterfall. The glamping tents are also really pretty!
In our opinion, the Kozjak Waterfall is one of the top waterfalls in Slovenia, and we highly recommend a visit!
Best Places To Stay in Kobarid
Read more about Slovenia:
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Top 20 Amazing Things to Do in Slovenia
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Bovec: Outdoor Paradiese in Slovenia
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Soca Valley in Slovenia: 15 Best Places to Visit!
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20 Amazing Things to Do in Ljubljana (Slovenia)
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10 Unique Things to do in Lake Bled, Slovenia
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Tolmin Gorge, Slovenia: Info, Tips and best Photo Spots
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Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Maribor (Slovenia)
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
6 Comments
Just left Slovenia but we were there for only 3 days. Heard of the Emerald River and its waterfalls but ran out of time!
What a stunning hike. Even if there was not a beautiful waterfall at the end it would be worth the effort. That waterfall is the icing on the cake. It truly looks like something out of a fairy tale we would love to see it in person.
Thanks for sharing. Keep travel blogging. Adventure is better shared with friends!
What a beautiful beautiful place! I keep hearing and reading and seeing more and more about the beauty of Slovenia, and here’s another great example. I love that there are flat paths created to help people reach the waterfall, even though the ones over the water but without handrails look a little scary for those of us with vertigo, the flat paths themselves are so helpful! The colour of the water is glorious!
Kozjak River + seeing 2 of the 6 waterfalls along a path that features tiny stony bridges + wooden walkways attached to the high rock walls + the trail ending at the spectacular Kozjak falls? How could I NOT fall in love with this destintion. Love the photos. Absolutely magical.
The color of that water is just MESMERIZING! The journey there looks like so much fun. My kids would love that hanging bridge… more than me 😉 I’d definitely go in the early morning, thanks for the tip.
Wow! The Kozjak Waterfall is truly magical! The water is so clean and turquoise that we’d love to pack our luggage and fly to Slovenia right away for that hike! 25 minutes is really not much, and the fact that the entrance fee is for free makes this place even more interesting! Thanks a lot for sharing this! 🙂