How to visit Kozjak Waterfall in Slovenia
Considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Slovenia, Kozjak is definitely one of the most magical places in the Soča Valley.
This spot has become very popular in the past couple of years, especially with the power of social media. The organizers had to renovate the access and change some of the rules around it because of the increased popularity, so I am doing this guide to share updated information on how to visit Kozjak Waterfall.
We have lived and traveled through Slovenia for over 5 years now, so we want to help you explore our country in the best way possible. Let’s jump on it!
About Kozjak Waterfall: What makes it so special
I dare to say that Kozjak Waterfall is one of the most special places in Slovenia.
What makes this place so special is that the waterfall is located inside a cave, hidden at the end of a beautiful path along the river. The fall is 15 meters high and creates a beautiful crystal-clear pool underneath.
Another great thing about Kozjak is that the access is super easy. You need to do a short hike to get to it, but the entire path is flat and very accessible. Honestly, I wouldn’t even call it a hike, it’s more of a walking trail.
Where is Kozjak located and how to get to it
Kozjak Waterfall is located next to Kobarid, one of the main towns within the Soča Valley. You can find its exact location here.
Since the waterfall is located outside of town, the best way to reach it is by car. But, if you will not be driving during your trip to Slovenia, you can also walk there from Kobarid – it will take you a bit more than 1h.
If you will be coming with a car, there are two possible parking lots you can use with different starting points.
Option 1: Parking outside of Kamp Lazar (location here) – this is in our opinion the best option because the path to the waterfall is shorter and you get to cross one of the most scenic bridges over the Soča River. This makes the whole day even more special!
⚠️ Attention: The bridge from Kamp Lazar to Kozjak Waterfall is temporarily closed at the moment, so the best option is to take the path described below. ⚠️
Option 2: Parking Kozjak (location here) – this is where most travel guides will recommend you to park. From here, you just need to follow down the road, the path is well-marked.
Read also: What to do in the Soča Valley
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Short hike to Kozjak Waterfall
Regardless of where you decide to start the hike to Kozjak Waterfall, both paths will join and lead you in the same direction.
The trail to Kozjak is easy and well-marked. It is a dirt path but it is mostly flat, so it is suitable for anyone including kids and people without any hiking experience.
The walk will take you around 20 min from Kamp Lazar to Kozjak Waterfall, and around 30 minutes if you park at the Kozjak Parking instead.
Opening times and tickets
Since Kozjak Waterfall gained so much popularity in the past couple of years, one of the things that changed is that now the access is paid during the high season.
The entrance point is a small hut you will have to pass about halfway through on your trail to the waterfall. The entrance costs € 5.00 per person and is chargeable from the 2nd of April until the 31st of October.
Opening times are usually between 8h and 20h, but they vary depending on the month – check here their official page for the latest timetable.
Can you visit Kozjak Waterfall during the winter?
Yes, it is possible to visit Kozjak Waterfall all year round. The entrance point works only during the busiest months of the year, but that doesn’t mean that access is closed during the winter season.
If you visit between the months of November and March, access is free.
The reason why they do this is because the waterfall was getting too crowded and the access had to be controlled during the high season. In the winter, there is almost no one there.
Please bear in mind that if you go during the winter, you visit at your own risk.
Things you need to know before visiting Kozjak
- Kozjak Waterfall can be visited all year round but the best time to visit is during the spring because it is when the water flow is at its highest. The water flow also increases after any rainfall.
- I recommend wearing proper walking shoes. The trail is easy but it is a dirt path and it can get very slippery when wet.
- Make sure you check out this wooden bridge on the way (pictured above) and also Napoleon Bridge, located right next to the Kozjak Parking lot.
- The observation deck was recently renovated and they built a small fence around it. Please respect it and do not go down on the rocks.
Can I swim at Kozjak Waterfall?
No, it is not allowed to swim at Kozjak Waterfall.
If you want to swim, we recommend going to the Soča River instead.
Other waterfalls worth visiting in Slovenia
Want to go waterfall hunting in Slovenia? Here are a few ideas of waterfalls that you can include on your itinerary:
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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