Blackwater Valley Canoe Club

General Information

This summer BVCC will be running a two week paddling holiday to the Soča Valley in Slovenia and the Briançon area in the French Alps. You are welcome to join us for just one of the weeks, or both!

We are still in the planning phase of this trip so have not opened bookings until we have a better idea of cost. If you are interested though we encourage you to register your interest join the WhatsApp group chat so that you can discuss the trip, decide whether it is for you, and be part of the planning process (this will also help inform the size of accommodation we need to book). The anticipated schedule for the trip is as follows:

• Sunday 14th June: Arrive in Bovec, Slovenia
• Monday 15th – Friday 19th June: Full days in Slovenia
• Saturday 20th June: Depart Slovenia / Arrive in Briançon area, France
• Sunday 21st – Thursday 25th June: Full Days in France
• Friday 26th June: Depart France

We currently anticipate that those attending will drive / lift share to the trip destinations, though we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements if they prove feasible. Driving from the UK to / from Bovec takes two days; driving from Bovec to Briançon takes one day; and driving from the UK to / from Briançon can be done in one day, but we would recommend allowing for two. Therefore if driving the minimum practical trip duration would be as follows, though you are welcome to extend these dates and make your own arrangements on the way out / back:

• Slovenia Only: Saturday 13th June – Sunday 21st June
• France Only: Friday 19th June – Saturday 27th June
• Slovenia & France: Saturday 13th June – Saturday 27th June

What does Slovenia offer?

For the Slovenia leg of this trip we will be heading to the beautiful Soča Valley! As kayakers the main attraction for many of use will be paddling the Soča river; however the Soča Valley, and Slovenia as a whole, has much more to offer. There’s no obligation to paddle every day, you are welcome to make your own plans to enjoy your holiday. The Soča Valley has many outdoor activities to offer (more information here) and some of Slovenia’s top tourist destination are within drivable distance, alternatively you can just spend a day relaxing and taking in the mountain scenery. Here are just some of the things our members have enjoyed off the river in previous years:

• Hiking to the source of the Soča river
• Visiting the incredible Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
• Visiting the picturesque Lake Bled

Paddling the Soča river is an incredible experience; it weaves it’s way through the Julian Alps providing breath-taking scenery on both sides, while the water ranges from emerald green to nearly crystal clear (there are parts where you can see every pebble on the river bed, a couple of metres below you). The different sections of the Soča provide the full range of whitewater from grade 1 to 5 (though we won’t be going above grade 3), so the sections we paddle will depend on the capability of those paddling each day. You should have some moving water experience if you plan on paddling the Soča with us, but there will be plenty of club moving water sessions between now and then to get some practice in.

Details

We will be staying in the town of Bovec with an arrival date of Sunday 14th June and a departure date of Saturday 20th June (6 nights). You are welcome to make your own arrangements either side of these dates if you wish to explore more of the country.

Videos from our previous Slovenia trips