DESCENDING TO SOČA VALLEY
VIA ALPINA DAY 09 – TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2026
MOUNTAIN HUT NA DOLIĆU – TRENTA
DISTANCE HIKED: 13.4 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 110 m
TOTAL DISTANCE HIKED: 215.1 km
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 10,584 m
The wind was howling outside when we woke this morning. We were warm and snug in the hut. It feels like this area has its own climate.
The wind sounded so strong, I was a bit nervous to step outside fearing a snow storm outside. The hut is located at 2,100m elevation and is not far from the summit of Mt Triglav. The staff at the hut were all so nice and accommodating, especially as were were out of season and they were busy getting the hut setup for their opening in a few days.
We waited till 7am to have breakfast before leaving. While waiting we chatted to two Danish guys who climbed Mt Triglav yesterday. Both are historians, working for the Danish government. They assured us that the Slovenian Alps are by far the hardest to hike. Gives us a bit more confidence going forward. The hot weather has certainly added to the challenge and a memorable experience.
I stepped outside the hut to test the wind and found that it was really not that bad. We started the descent to Trenta, down in the valley, just on 8am. The path down follows an old military route used by the Italian army when they had a base at the foothills on Mt Triglav, just above the hut we stayed in. A remnant of an old Italian border patrol.
One of the hut staff told us that Italian soldiers would ride their motorbikes on the trail we were to follow. Incredible history of shifting borders and wars fought over them. I’m inspired to read more about the history of this region.
Water is a precious resource in this landscape. Being limestone most of the rainfall soaks into the crevices producing little runoff. We bought 1.5L of water ( for 7 euro) before leaving. Hoping this will do us before we reach Trenta, about 14km down in the valley.
The descent from the hut was some of the most spectecular hiking we’ve done so far. Bare limestone walls with nicely formed trail zig-zagging down the mountain, wildflowers in almost every crevice and Ibex feeding on the slopes.
Time seemed to fly. Halfway down we could hear water rushing. Over to our left was a long vertical waterfall – the headwaters of the Zadnjica River. We had run out of water but the stream was just a little too far from us. The temperature was rising as we descended further. While we had shelter under the trees it wasn’t so bad. But once were in the open, it felt like hiking in a furnace.
Just as we were leaving the woods about 8.5km from the hut we had or first Via Alpina trail magic – a tub of drinks with spring water flowing into it. It was truly magical. Feeling refreshed we tanked the trail angel, where ever they were. Feeling refreshed we continued on.
We stopped in the small town of Trenta to get lunch. The towns supermarket was a tiny store but we got something to eat and a cold drink. We sat outside in the oppresive heat willing ourselves to go on another couple of kilometres towards a commercial campground, where we planned to stop for the day.
While walking into town we noticed that most of the cars on the road where not local, suggesting that this side of the mountains was a popular European holiday destination.
We did manage to get to the campground and were given a spot a little away from the campervans. We put up the tent, legally – had a shower and washed our clothes. With a cold beer in hand we admired the looming mountain landscape around us. Hoping this early and very much needed stop recharges us for our last day in Slovenia tomorrow.
By late afternoon skies darkened and thunder rolled around. It didn’t produce any rain but it did reduce the temperature a little. The campground was filling fast. By late afternoon we had another three tents near us.
