Tribute to Peace

Programme “Tribute to peace – in the footsteps of the Battles of the Isonzo” offers two Cheese Trails, on which understanding of cheese-making tradition goes hand in hand with learning about region’s turbulent past and realization of the importance of peace that we all should cherish.

1) Treasures of the Tolminka Valley 

Cheese Trail leads visitors deep into the valley of pristine alpine Tolminka river. This glacier valley that was subsequently transformed by river erosion offers a visitor pristine experience of unspoiled alpine landscape. In the valley there lies mountain pasture of planina Polog (altitude 460 m), one of the pastures with easiest access, lying practically at Tolmin doorstep. Here cattle graze amidst the fairy-tale mountains and the excellent cheese is still made according to traditional recipe. The pastureland lies in the southern part of Triglav National Park, and is a starting point for numerous mountain hiking excursions or simply for a pleasant walk to the enchanting springs of the Tolminka, which rise a few kilometres higher up. The valley has quite a colourful history. During the First World War it was dotted with huts, workshops and storehouses, since – safe from artillery fire – it was the rear of the Austro-Hungarian forces. In the period between the wars, along a ridge of the Tolmin-Bohinj mountains ran the border between the kingdoms of Italy and Yugoslavia – the Rapal border. To defend this border, in the 1930s the Italian army built three large concrete bunkers in the area around today’s Polog pasture.

Itinerary includes:

• Geographic, historic (with the emphasis on the WWI) and ethnologic presentation of the area.
• Visit of a mountain pasture dairy, presentation of cheese-making with degustation (shepherds’ meal)
• visit of the Memorial Church of the Holy Spirit in Javorca and military bukers from the times of the Rapal border.

Duration: 5 h

Equipment: hiking equipment and footwear

Price: group of 8 = 24 €/person, group of 18 = 19 €/person . Included: guide, visit of a mountain pasture planina Polog dairy, degustation, entrance to the church, bus ride Tolmin-Polog-Tolmin. 

2) In the cradle of pasturing under the mighty Krn Mountain (circular trail) 

The pastureland under Mt. Krn is a popular hiking destination as well as an important starting point for trekking/climbing to surrounding mountain tops. The area is full of natural, cultural and historic sites and many marked paths and trails pass through. In addition to hiking trails that lead to the surrounding peaks, these are the Path of Peace, European footpath E7 and Alpe-Adria-Trail.

This Cheese Trail connects 4 mountain pastures in a circular route: Planina Pretovč (1142 m), Planina Lapoč (1150 m), Planina Kašina (1050 m) and Planina Kuhinja (1020 m). All pastures lie within the borders of Triglav National Park.

Itinerary includes:

• Geographic, historic (with the emphasis on the WWI) and ethnologic presentation of the area.
• Visit of a mountain pasture dairy, presentation of cheese-making with degustation (shepherds’ meal).
• Mrzli vrh – outdoor museum of First World War. The top of the mountain offers a beautiful view over the former battlefield of the Isonzo Front. The ridge is crisscrossed with numerous trenches and caves. In a small area, the remains of both the Austro-Hungarian and the Italian first line of defence can be seen. In one of the caves along the way from the Planina Pretovč to Mt. Mrzli vrh an altar is set up.

Duration: 8,5 h

Equipment: hiking equipment and footwear

Price: group of 4 = 45 €/person; group of 17 = 15 €/person. Included: guide, visit of the mountain pasture dairy, degustation (shepherd’s meal).

Extra: hop on-hop off bus ride.