Day 41 – Thursday 18 June

We had a relaxed start, did some organising and admin and then drove 30 minutes to the small hamlet of Kobarid to commence a short easy walk (so they said) to see the lovely Great Kozjak waterfall.

There is a parking lot near the camp ground and a limestone chip path that takes you through lovely forested nature alongside the river, through a little bit of a gorge, narrowing finally to a spectacular rocky amphitheatre where the water falls to a turquoise pool. 

The walk was not as easy as I expected, not that it was that long – only about 2 km each way, however, I was not prepared given it was meant to be easy.  I had my teva sandals on which are great – but not suitable for limestone paths, including slopes and damp rocky stair climbing. 

I had packed my hiking boots in NZ for walks like this, but did not think they were necessary today due to the purported ease of the walk. Secondly my hiking sticks would have been good for my knee, as there were gentle and one not so gentle slopes.  The ground was uneven in places – roots and rocks – all making unsuitable for sandals and sweaty feet.

Despite my equipment failings I managed well, albeit slow and needing a bit of assistance from Vern on the rocky stair climbing to ensure I did not fall!  The whole walk was lovely, like a seduction for the main reveal of the waterfall when you completed the steps along the gorge wall, coming around the corner to see her in her glory. 

As with the scenery yesterday, it is hard to describe fully what it is like – and best have the nature speak to you and your personal experience.  Suffice to say for us it was super enjoyable – and a memory that will stand out.

I would say it is not super easy and small children, the elderly or unfit may find it difficult.  There are no board walks and the gorge part with rocky steps, bridges and traversing the walls could be dangerous, painful or inaccessible.

For us it was well worth the effort, the entrance fee and parking.  The nice man gave us a senior discount, and there is a donation box for vendor hot coffee and cold drinks near the entry-exit.  The coffee was really good! The drive to Kobarid and back from Bovec is also very scenic, even in the light shower that teased our steamy bodies.

When we got home there were no parks at the hotel and we had trouble working out the parking lot location on our app.  We picked a random one, so that it would record our license plate and then on further research found we only had to pay until 11pm – or thats what we think. Otherwise it would have cost us $100 nzd for the night!!!! 

It was getting a bit late by the time we got this sorted, so we sprayed some scent on and headed back to the restaurant we ate at last night.  Fortunately they fit us in and we enjoyed another very enjoyable meal, ambiance and service.  I had a special mixed calamari platter that for the first time in my life I left some calamari on my plate, as I simply could not eat it all! 

Vern had a roast pork and our bevies were beer and a glass of house wine, the latter being a carafe of 250 ml that looked more like 350.  I am not complaining.  

We called into reception to check that our hotel booking and payment and come through ok, which it had thankfully. Back to the city tomorrow and then onwards to Venice.  We both would have been happy to stay in this magic valley longer…. Maybe another trip?