Ita l ian os s uary and the church o f S t. Anthony – the res ting p lace o f over 7000 Ita l ian s o ld iers from WWI.

Hiking the Kobarid Historical Trail in Sloveniamonkeysandmountains.com /kobarid

Be honest, have you ever heard of the Kobarid Historical Trail in Slovenia?

If you have, I’m guessing that you’re either 1) a history buff or 2) interested in military affairs. Am I right? For those of youwho are into neither, like myself, Kobarid became famous in 1917 for the Battle of Kobarid or the Battle of Caporetto inItalian. It’s where the Italian army retreated against the Austro-Hungarian and German armies. The battle wasdocumented by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms.

A good place to start is the Kobarid Museum, which documents the 12 battles fought in the Soča front and the 300,000lives lost. I was on Hedonistic ‘s Slovenia and Friuli Tour and was fortunate enough to have the owner/guide Jackie whois a walking encyclopedia, lead us on this historical hiking trail.

A short climb leads to the The Italian Charnel House built on Gradič Hill around the already existing Church of St.Anthony. There are over 7000 Italian soldiers buried here. You can see the names on many graves. The ones withoutnames are unidentified.

Climbing a bit higher still through a gradual forest path, until you arrive at Tonocov Grad Hill, you go back further in time. Much further back. Like all the way back to the 5th century where you encounter these Roman ruins.

This

Rom an Ruins dating back to the 5th century on Tonocov Grad Hi l l

Thisalso

makes a great rest stop to enjoy the views, or to read a couple of chapters out of Ernest Hemmingway’s A Farewell toArms as Jackie did to us during our lunch break.

The

View from Tonocov Grad Hi l l

Thetimetravel

journey continues, going downhill this time and back to WWI. Here trekkers make their way down from Tonocov GradHill by going through a series of bunkers and forts used by the Italians during WWI. I was really surprised at what anextensive network it is and how long it was. It gives you a glimpse of the intensity of battles fought here.

The historical hiking trail continues over

The tra i l leads h ikers through trenches us ed by the Ita l ian Arm y in WWI.

The historical hiking trail continues overthe Soča River on a footbridge in theexact same location as the footbridgeused by the Italians during WWI.

Although I can’t imagine how gloomy anddepressing it would have been to fighthere, I can imagine that the Soča Riverwould have been a place of reflectionand contemplation. It ’s one of themost beaut iful rivers I have ever seenanywhere. Jackie explained to us thatthe river gets its awe- inspiring color fromthe light sand covered bottom whichreflects the light.

From the Soča River, a well-markedhiking path takes you to Veliki Koz jak,considered to be one of Slovenia’s mostbeautiful waterfalls. It’s a slippery path insome places. There’s even a cable tohold on to during the final few steps. Butjust go slow and you will be rewarded. The waterfall is hidden in a large openkarst cave- like area. The effect of thedark rock contrasting against the blue-green pool is truly stunning. My reactionwas WOW! The photo doesn’t do itjustice.

After hiking the 5km historical trail you willlikely have worked up an appetite. Butyou’re in luck. Not only is Kobarid richin history, it ’s also known as theFood Capital of Slovenia! These are afew of the highlights of just one of ourmeals:

Know Before You Hike theKobarid Historical Trail

The hiking trail is 5km long and takes

Footbr idge over the Soča River , cons tructed on the very s pot where a wooden footbr idge had been dur ing WWI.

The incred ib ly pr is tine Soca River .

about 3 hours.

Vel iki Koz jak Water fa l l i s acces s ib le on ly by a s l ippery h iking path , but wor th the trek.

about 3 hours.

You can do it on your own, but Ihighly recommend doing it withHedonistic Hiking as part of theSlovenia and Friuli tour. Check outmy review here.

It’s relatively easy hiking with a fewhills, but nothing too steep.

Visit the museum in Kobarid first togive yourself some background. Youwill get more out of the hike that way.

Stop by the tourist office for a routemap.

You’ll also want to spend some timein Triglav National Park. Take a lookat the link and you’ll see why.

Thank you to Hedonistic Hiking forintroducing me to historical hiking. Asalways all opinions expressed are my own.

Fall

Thes e are jus t a few of the cours es from an incred ib le m eal I had in Kobar id . Hedonis tic Hiking knows a l l the good p laces to eat.

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