Mountain ranges / Karawanks / Soteska Ziljice / Orrido dello Slizza

Soteska Ziljice / Orrido dello Slizza

Country: Italy

Mountain range: Karawanks

Elevation: 675 m / 2215 ft

Lat/Lon: 46.50878°N 13.60353°E

Type:

Weather forecast:

Views: 7,150

Popularity: 43% (2137th place)

Number of pictures: 24

Number of paths: 1

Number of GPS tracks: 0

Description of mountain:
Soteska Ziljice (Orrido dello Slizza) is an approximately 700-meter-long scenic gorge (the river's altitude at its lowest point near the northern end is about 675 meters), carved by the Ziljica River (Italian: Slizza, German: Gailitz) on its path past Trbiž (Italian: Tarvisio), specifically between the area of the former Trbiž central railway station “Tarvisio Centrale” above the left bank and the Trbiž hamlet of Zeleni gozd (Italian: Boscoverde) above the right bank. The gorge, where fishing is possible in some spots and swimming in summer months, impresses with its spectacular vertical walls and the emerald hue of the Ziljica.

Regarding the Slovenian name, several variants exist. Instead of “soteska,” the terms “kanjon” or “globel” are sometimes used. In some cases, the river is called Mala Ziljica; the adjective “ziljski/-a” is also found, e.g., “Ziljska globel” on a trilingual sign at the starting parking lot, though this can mistakenly evoke the Zilja River (German: Gail) in Austrian Carinthia, into which the Ziljica flows at Podklošter.

The gorge would be very difficult to access on its own, but a highly scenic trail was built along the right riverbank as early as 1874, partly carved into the rock and elsewhere on wooden footbridges (similar to Blejski Vintgar). The initiator was Count Carl von Arco-Zinneberg, whose monument stands along the trail in the gorge, though he did not live to see its completion, having died of cholera the previous year. Today, the trail is maintained by the Carabinieri biodiversity unit, “Raggruppamento Carabinieri Biodiversità.”

Above the southern part of the gorge arches a former railway bridge, part of the now-disused line from Trbiž toward Jesenice; today, the popular “Ciclovia Alpe Adria” cycling path follows this route and crosses the bridge. It is well worth walking onto the bridge for a “bird’s-eye view” of the gorge, although the high fencing on both sides is somewhat obstructive. From the bridge, a picturesque waterfall is visible where the Rio Molino stream (German: Mühlbach, possible Slovenian: Mlinščica) joins the Ziljica at the gorge’s southern edge. The waterfall cannot be seen from the gorge trail itself—only its top is reachable at one rest area.

The gorge can be visited on an about 1,600-meter circular trail starting and ending at a small parking lot on Via Bamberga near the current “Tarvisio Boscoverde” railway station. As no direction is prescribed, it can be hiked either way; most descriptions recommend counterclockwise, passing a viewpoint with a monument to Austrian soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars, descending to the northern gorge end, and exiting via an ascent ending beside the aforementioned bridge. The northern approach is particularly steep, zigzagging on near-vertical slopes with added steps, but the entire trail is fenced for safety. The southern approach is somewhat easier. Despite all safeguards, caution is advised: sturdy non-slip footwear is essential, a helmet recommended despite rockfall nets, and visits discouraged in slippery conditions such as snow, ice, or even after rain.

In 2024, both parking and gorge entry remained free.