You will probably have seen numerous pictures of Slap Kozjak on Instagram by now, which clearly indicates that you should visit this amazing waterfall too.
Tucked away in a mysterious gorge in the Kobarid Forest, Slap Kozjak is a mesmerizing waterfall, if not the most scenic one within Slovenia, which to me, makes the hike up there an essential activity on any Slovenia itinerary (coming soon).
The main waterfall – which also goes by Kozjak Waterfall or Mali Kozjak – has gained tremendous popularity over the last couple of years, yet it still feels like a hidden gem that has been discovered by only few, thanks to its mystical ambience.
But it’s not just the waterfall at the end of the hike that is worthy of your time, no, the hike itself is absolutely stunning too and will lead you along the crystal-clear Soca River, over several picturesque stone bridges, and along heaps of little scenic creeks.
A true paradise for nature lovers and waterfall chasers alike.
In this guide, I’ve covered everything you need to know before starting the hike to Slap Kozjak, including the entrance fee, how to get there, the best time to visit, what to pack and more.
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Where is Slap Kozjak
Slap Kozjak is a 15-metre-high waterfall that wouldn’t fall out of place in the midst of the lush jungles of Bali, yet it is situated only just outside of Kobarid, a lively town in the Goriska – Tolmin region of Slovenia.
Part of the famous Triglav National Park and only about 30 minutes drive away from Kobarid, the astonishing Kozjak Waterfall is a must-see for anyone travelling to Slovenia.
The hike itself starts from the parking lot of Kamp Koren, only just off the 203 main road between Kobarid and Bovec.
Slap Kozjak hike details
Hike difficulty | Easy
Hike duration | 1 to 2 hours out and back
Hike distance | 3 kilometres
Elevation gain | 142 metres
Slap Kozjak entrance fee 2023
As of 2023, the entrance fee to Slap Kozjak is set at €5,- per person.
However, it is worth noting that the price for children under the age of 15 is reduced to €3,- per person. Additionally, students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more can enter for only €4,- per person.
For relevant prices, additional information, and opening hours, make sure you see the official Soca Valley website here.
During my visit in early January, the official ticket kiosk of Slap Kozjak was closed, which meant that I had the fortune to have free entrance to the waterfall.
How to get to Slap Kozjak
Slap Kozjak is situated in the Goriska – Tolmin region, which is pretty remote in comparison to other parts of Slovenia, meaning you’ll find very limited public transportation options here.
For the above reason, your best option is to rent your own car for the duration of your trip in Slovenia – this will also give you the flexibility to explore more of the area on a road trip through the country.
When it comes to car rental, my absolute favourite option is Rentalcars.com, as they work with the leading car rental companies, and offer incredible service and additional insurance options – plus it’s pretty easy to find exciting deals.
Once you’ve rented a car, it’s actually quite easy to get to Slap Kozjak, with manageable driving distances from some of Slovenia’s absolute highlights.
Below I’ve listed a few common driving routes:
- Lake Bled to Slap Kozjak: 2 hours
- Bohinj to Slap Kozjak: 1,5 hours
- Ljubljana to Slap Kozak: 2 hours
- Bovec to Slap Kozjak: 30 minutes
If you’re curious about how to include the Kozjak waterfall in your own itinerary, make sure you read my 10-day Slovenia itinerary (coming soon) too.
Parking at Slap Kozjak
When arriving at the starting point of the hike to Slap Kozjak, you’ll soon notice Parking Kozjak, which is located on the grounds of Kamp Koren.
The cost of parking is €1,50 per hour or €10,- for the entire day, and payments can be done with both cash and EasyPark.
The parking itself has plenty of space and is well-kept – plus there’s a toilet on the terrain too.
Although the parking gives the impression that its free during the offseason, I’ve read that the local police drives around the area to hand out parking tickets multiple times now, which will set you back about €70,-
The hike to Slap Kozjak
Start of the hike
First things first, the starting point of the hike to Slap Kozjak is rather easy to find, as it’s located right next to the parking lot of Kamp Koren.
Easy walk along the Soca River
The first part of the trail starts off completely flat, yet it takes only a few moments before you begin to wind along the emerald-blue waters of the Soca River – which in itself, is already quite the highlight.
The suspension bridge
After roughly 15 minutes, you’ll stumble upon the first real highlight; an extensive suspension bridge on the left-hand side that provides some epic views of the surrounding Triglav National Park as well as the Soca River that flows underneath.
On top of that, you also have Reka Soča Razgledna točka, a small observation point offering an even better view of the impressive Soca Valley.
Hike through the forest
After taking in the incredible views, make sure you turn right and continue to follow the trail, which will now slowly lead you into the lush and somewhat mystical Kobarid Forest.
Though it’s still relatively easy, you will now gradually start to gain some elevation and will soon pass the official ticket office of Slap Kozjak, where you can buy your ticket for €5,- per person.
However, since I was there in the offseason, the ticket office was closed, meaning I had free entrance to the waterfall.
Little Kozjak
From here, you’ll venture deeper into the Kobarid forest, and after a short while, you will stumble upon Little Koziak, an impressive 8-metre-high waterfall that flows underneath the stone bridge that you’ll have to cross to reach the main waterfall.
Though it’s named Little Koziak, it is actually quite an impressive waterfall, which could be observed from various interesting angles, so make sure you take some time to admire it before moving on to the main attraction.
Ariving at Slap Kozjak
After taking in Little Koziak, it’s time to move on to Slap Kozjak by crossing several stony bridges and a wooden walkway attached to the steep moss-covered rock walls of the gorge that leads to the waterfall and its natural pool.
Only a few moments later, you’ll arrive at the foot of the stunningly beautiful Slap Kozjak waterfall, which is slightly hidden between towering cave walls, creating a mystical ambience which makes it feel as if lifted straight out of a fairytale world somewhere far, far away.
Wrapping up the hike
Once you’re done taking in Slap Kozjak, and of course, snapping lots of photos (trust me, you will take loads as it’s truly breathtaking here), it’s time to retrace your steps back down the trail.
The trail back is exactly the same, and you shouldn’t experience any problems getting back to the parking, besides a few additional stops, to take in the amazing scenery one last time.
How long does the hike to Slap Kozjak take
From the parking lot at Kamp Koren, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes to reach Slap Kozjak.
This is obviously without the essential stops you should make to take in the amazing surroundings that you hike through. With that in mind, the hike will take at least 2 to 3 hours to complete, especially if you’re into photography too.
You could also do the Slap Kozjak hike in combination with other hikes in the area – which will add some extra time to your overall hiking itinerary.
Best time of year to visit Slap Kozjak
If you ask me, the Kozjak waterfall is best visited between early April and late October, when the weather conditions are comfortable and the days long.
This is also the time when the Slap Kozjak trail is officially open to the public, as the entrance point to the waterfall is open from the 2nd of April until the 31st of October.
Depending on the severity of winter, the waterfall is also a great option for those visiting Slovenia during the colder winter months.
I visited Slap Kozjak in early January, and was fortunate enough to have excellent weather conditions, while also enjoying free access to the hiking trail and the waterfall – winner!
Best time of day to visit Slap Kozjak
Whether you’re a photographer like me, or just looking to have a more serene experience, I’d highly suggest visiting Slap Kozjak first thing in the morning, when it’s still fairly quiet on the trail.
Starting from mid-morning, it begins to get pretty busy at Slap Kozjak and continues to get even busier as the day progresses – mostly because it’s a Slovenian road trip favourite, as well as a popular day trip from Bovec, Bohinj and Lake Bled.
If you’re not an early bird or planned other activities for the morning, the late afternoon is also a great time to do the Slap Kozjak hike.
Also, I highly recommend avoiding a visit during noon, as it’s by far the most crowded time of day. So unless you want to share your experience with a bunch of other people, I would not opt for this timeframe unless it’s your only option.
What to pack for the Slap Kozjak hike
As with most outdoor adventures, hiking Slap Kozjak comes with a unique set of needs.
To help you have a comfortable time here, I’d suggest bringing the following items:
A reusable water bottle | One travel essential that I carry with me at all times is the Grayl Geopress. This reusable water purification bottle allows me to fill up water from almost every water source, making it one of my best investments to date.
A hoodie | Given you’ll walk in the shadows of a moss-covered gorge for a fair amount of the hike, I’d highly recommend bringing an extra layer to keep you warm if needed.
A sturdy pair of sneakers | Though the hike to Slap Kozjak is relatively easy, it’s not a bad idea to wear a pair of sturdy trail runners. I’ve recently bought the New Balance Hierro V7, and I’m quite happy with the grip and comfort they provide me with when I’m on the trail.
Snacks | During my visit to Slap Kozjak in January, I noticed little to no restaurants and cafes near the trail. For that reason, I’d suggest bringing a lunchbox with some fruits, sandwiches, nuts, and a protein bar, in case you need to refuel yourself during the hike.
A camera | Slap Kozjak is truly a stunning sight to behold, so I’d advise bringing your camera, so you can click plenty of photos while you’re there. Curious about my photography gear, make sure you see what’s in my camera bag.
Stay safe in Slovenia | Travel insurance
Since Slovenia has plenty of adventurous activities on offer, I advise everyone to sort out good travel insurance before setting out on their own adventure.
While I believe that it’s unlikely to experience any troubles when following the advice in this guide, something unfortunate can happen at any time, whether it’s an injury, a stolen camera, or an accident on the road.
For travel insurance, I use Heymondo, as they offer full covid-19 coverage, as well as a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Make sure you check it out – readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy too.
