Biking through the Julian Prealps

For over 15 years, the Julian Alps, especially the mountains surrounding the turquoise shimmering Soca, have magically captivated us: Biking over the trails of the Slovenian mountains, hiking through the Triglav National Park and to Slovenia's highest peak of the same name, or jumping into one of the numerous pools of the Soca gorges with just our swimwear... and not least, this is where we found our dog Rika! We are, by the way, none other than myself, Rene Sendlhofer-Schag, as well as my two buddies Role and Maxl, all passionate mountain enthusiasts on two wheels, who – one more, the others less – are connected with the travel agency Bikefex from Graz.
It was high time to introduce this area to other MTB enthusiasts and to develop a mountain bike trip in the secluded side valleys of the Canal Valley.

We continue our journey into Val Resia, a side valley a little south of the border ridge. The rain clouds from the first day have moved on to the Adriatic, and brilliant sunshine accompanies us on our way south through the Canal Valley.
In the Resia Valley, we quickly find a pitch by the river. As a change from the flowy, forest-floor-rich trail of the first day, today's terrain becomes rockier. We've enlisted the company of our off-roader friend Roli and his Defender – so with the heat, we can conquer a few vertical meters by shuttle service. And where the Defender can go, the Crosscamp has long since been able to get around.

We decide on a tour north of the valley. Due to the forest fires last year, we have to take a small detour. Yet the light forest, the resinous smell, and the chirping of the cicadas make us quickly forget the effort.
Towards the end of the ascent, views of the peak open up time and again, and we notice a small bivouac along the ridge. The route does not lead directly there, but we do not miss the opportunity for a short detour. We are already familiar with detours here.
The extra meters turn out to be a real stroke of luck. A small spring not far from the Ricovero empties the air from our empty water bottles and fills us with new energy. In the bivouac, surprisingly, there is a Bialetti, Illy coffee, and a gas stove. We respond appropriately with a hut donation and enjoy the moment. Who needs water when you have coffee...

But somehow Slovenia without the Soča Valley just doesn't work – even if we only dare to make a quick dip into the turquoise waters!
Before we head back north, the small bike park Robidišče is on the trail menu. At a mountain pass, in a border town to Italy with only 16 houses, motivated bikers have come together to create a hotel, apartments, six different trails, a restaurant, and a shuttle service. And all this at the end of the world - or the beginning? It's all a matter of perspective.
The journey there, however, really doesn't suggest that you will encounter any people, especially a trail center. But appearances can be deceiving, and after several hours of shuttle action on the really perfectly designed trails and calories in the form of Slovenian specialties, we plunge into the floods of the adjacent Nadiza River.
To conclude, we learn that for the upcoming 2023 season the trails on the Italian side will also be accessible. So, there are even more meters of enduro fun to come. By then it's clear: we will be back.

After a day in the dense deciduous forest, we long for a view again. Therefore, through the Soča Valley, we continue to our next elevated sleeping place. We overlook the deep cuts that the river has left in the Julian Alps and fall asleep contentedly under the stars after another glass of rum.

The next day starts early - we want to catch the first gondola up to Monte Kanin near Bovec. The old gondola makes us freeze in awe. Or is it the sheer terror without any honor, that makes me hesitate just before boarding?
There's no bike carrier system available, but quickly a makeshift rack is inserted into the ski holders and the bike is hung up by both tires. "Will that hold?", I wonder to myself and squeeze into the creaking gondola. The wind is blowing fiercely today, and at one or another lift support, only a few centimeters are missing. I'm greatly relieved when I finally arrive at the top.

From the Slovenian side, up into the Kanin Mountains, a short carrying passage to the saddle, crossing the border into Italy, 1,000 meters of descent on a technically demanding trail, espresso and panini at the snack station – what else?! Then up again with the Sella Nevea gondola from the other side, a somewhat longer and very strenuous carrying passage, and back to Bovec: Challenging in the upper part, almost like a marble run in the forest down below.
You can almost see the wide grins on the bikers' faces; but before the trail spits us out into the hustle and bustle of Bovec's main square, the locals have added a few jumps and other obstacles. A splendid conclusion to a successful round trip.