An invitation to explore the entire Soča River.
Kayaking is about exploration. Whether you are exploring the limits of your body while blazing a path through a first descent in Columbia or simply discovering your backyard creek, a whitewater kayak and a paddle open an aquatic world of learning, feeding one of the most basic human compulsions: to explore.
Paddling a river from source to sea is a profoundly different experience from simply paddling the best-known whitewater sections. The focus shifts from (but does not exclude!) finding the best rapids to getting to know the river – understanding its more subtle moods, varied landscape and with it, different types of moving water.
The Soča may be a kind of supermodel in the world of whitewater kayaking – her aquamarine, gin-clear water and sexy rapids, with something for every ability. But if you take the time – about six days – you discover that there is more to her. From her humble beginnings as a trickle high in the Julian Alps to the expansive embrace of the Adriatic Sea, the Soča invites you to get to know her. And Balkan River Defence’s new paddling guidebook can help.
Soča From Source to Sea – Paddling Guidebook was officially launched in December at the Bovec Mountain Film Festival (BOFF) in Slovenia.
Paddlers and non-paddlers alike have already cracked the cover of copies in English, Italian, and Slovenian. A sneak peek of the guidebook can be seen here, and it can be purchased at the following links:
UK Customers (English version) – £32.95 plus shipping.
EU/ROW Customers (Slovenski, Italiano, and English versions) – €35 plus shipping.
The guidebook doesn’t ignore the recent controversy on the ticket prices for the use of the Soča. It addresses the history and current situation of the issue and is already generating discussion amongst decision-makers. While working to find a solution, the team behind the book is encouraging paddlers to use this situation as a chance to explore different sections of the river – free to use and free from controversy, which provides the peace and enjoyment we seek while paddling, and also sends a loud message to decision makers that kayakers disagree with the decree and ticket prices and that the Soča Valley is still a place for paddlers.
This guidebook was written for all paddlers: whitewater kayakers, canoeists, packrafters, stand-up paddleboarders, rafters and minirafters. Whether you’re new to paddling or a seasoned expert, the guidebook provides the knowledge needed to explore the Soča safely and respectfully and provides insights into some of the Soča’s secrets while leaving you the space to discover some yourself.
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About the Guidebook
Written by BRD founder Rok Rozman and featuring photos by Rožle Bregar, this is the first paddling guidebook to cover the Soča River’s entire course. Published by the Leeway Collective Institute, the 216-page book combines paddling logistics with a deep dive into the river’s natural and cultural history.
The guide includes maps for each of the 14 paddling stages and one hiking stage, details on accommodation and dining, and non-paddling activities. Its compact format (25 cm x 15 cm) makes it easy to bring along on the river, yet big enough to sit on your coffee table.
It also features a stunning 100 cm folding map of the Katarakt, the river’s most challenging whitewater section, tucked neatly into the back cover.
The first half of the guidebook is a monograph exploring the Soča’s flora, fauna, geology, and history, while the second half provides practical paddling information in an easily digestible format of: double page photo introduction; paddling details and stats page (length of stage, class, water level info, time needed etc.; a reference map including non-paddling points of interest, campsites, restaurants, rapid names, hazards etc.; and a short write up on the section that reads like a story. This is the kind of book you could hand to your grandma to read cover to cover, even if she’s not a paddler.
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Motivations Behind the Guidebook
Creating a guidebook for an iconic river like the Soča brings great responsibility. The team behind it aimed to avoid contributing to over-tourism or environmental harm by focusing on four main goals:
Dispersing Paddling Traffic
The Soča’s popularity often results in overcrowding, particularly between the towns of Bovec and Tolmin, which puts pressure on the river’s ecosystem. By encouraging exploration of the entire river, from its Slovenian alpine source to its Italian Adriatic mouth, the guidebook highlights lesser-known sections and relieves pressure on overused areas.
Understanding Healthy River Systems
Paddling the Soča from source to sea offers a chance to learn through experience about the ecological importance and function of rivers. The Soča provides fresh water, wildlife habitats, and recreation opportunities. It moves material, filters water and, yes, generates electricity. The journey also divulges the impact of dams, hydropeaking, and irrigation, allowing the paddler to come to their own conclusions based on what they have seen and experienced, and not based on words in a book (although the words in the guidebook do provide some background information on how the water of the Soča is used today).
Promoting Responsible River Use
The guidebook includes tips for minimizing environmental impact, such as respecting fish spawning seasons and avoiding bird nesting areas. By understanding the patterns of the river’s natural inhabitants, the guidebook aims to inspire paddlers to minimize their impacts while not hindering the level of enjoyment.
Maximizing Enjoyment on the Water
After all, that is the reason we climb into small plastic tubs and use sticks with spoons at the end to navigate rivers, right?
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Guidebook Highlights
Introductory Chapters
The guidebook begins with an author’s note and a poem, setting a reflective tone. It then delves into Soča’s geology, hydrology, cultural history, and threats from hydroelectric projects and commercial agriculture. It provides paddling info like transportation options (including train shuttle), safety tips, and a glossary of river-running terms. Another section explores Soča’s flora and fauna, introducing over 70 species of birds, fish, mammals, and plants. Readers learn how to minimize their impact, such as identifying bird nesting areas and understanding fish spawning seasons. There’s even a chapter on fishing, with advice on respectful practices and obtaining licenses.
Paddling Stages
The second half of the guidebook outlines 14 paddling stages and one hiking stage. Each stage includes put-in and take-out locations (with QR codes for Google Maps), distance, difficulty level, approximate paddling time, and suitable vessels. Details on minimum, maximum, and optimal water levels are provided, along with maps highlighting campgrounds, restaurants, rapids, portage routes, and danger zones. The stages range from beginner-friendly sections to intermediate and advanced whitewater runs, ensuring options for paddlers of all skill levels.
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The Soča Paddling Guidebook invites paddlers to explore the river’s 138 km journey in sections or as a single, “epic” source-to-sea adventure. Stages are designed for half-day trips, allowing time to enjoy the surrounding attractions. (Or sit beside the river with a beverage and relax.)
The guidebook is about more than whitewater. It connects paddlers with the Soča’s hidden gems, local communities, and natural beauty. It encourages paddlers to discover not just the river’s iconic stretches but also its lesser-known charms. The Soča is more than a river; she’s a storyteller, carrying the marks of history and nature’s power. This guidebook celebrates her entirety, inspiring paddlers to explore but also to cherish and protect rivers everywhere.