The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea – a story about war and peace

An unforgettable hiking experience along the trails of the Isonzo Front between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, emphasising the values of peace, understanding and intercultural dialogue.

A story about war and peace

It sounds like the monumental novel by Tolstoy, but in reality it is a very picturesque long-distance hiking trail, which connects the monuments and memorials of the Isonzo Front, one of the fiercest fronts of World War I. The trail that takes you into a world of caverns, trenches, military cemeteries, ossuaries and open-air museums, while at the same time you can enjoy the captivating beauty of the Julian Alps, Goriška Brda Hills and Karst all the way to the Adriatic Sea. This is a trail that makes you think. And also forget (everyday worries). This is the Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea, which you can walk in its entirety or in parts. Cover some of the sections by bicycle. Or take advantage of some parts for an educational and at the same time wonderful family outdoor trip.

Embark on the Walk of Peace

In addition to the heritage of World War I on the territory of Slovenia, the Walk of Peace is placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Collective wisdom for a brighter future

The Walk of Peace in numbers

While you plan your journey along the Walk of Peace, the following information about the route will come in handy. Most of the route runs through Slovenian territory, but also partly through Italy. Of course, you can decide just to hike individual stages.

Discover more about the Walk of Peace

Length

more than 500 km

Number of sections

Difficulty

difficult hiking trail

Start of trail

Log pod Mangartom (SIovenia)

End of trail

Trieste (Italy)

Number of monuments

approx. 300

Nad tabo jasen bo obok,
krog tebe pa svinčena toča
in dež krvav in solz potok
in blisk in grom – oh, bitva vroča!

Simon Gregorčič, a Slovenian poet, in his poem To Soča, which many interpret as a premonition of World War I and the battles of the Isonzo Front.

The Walk of Peace has received the international Connecting Cultures Award, which is presented by the Corps Touristique association in cooperation with the German magazine fvw/TravelTalk and the CMT Stuttgart fair, one of the largest tourism fairs in Central Europe.

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Photos: Jure Batagelj, Jošt Gantar, Schirra Giraldi, Žiga Koren, Simon Kovačič and STB

Where does the Walk of Peace take you?

The Isonzo Front is considered one of the fiercest fronts of World War I. It saw 12 battles over 888 days between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies, claiming more than a million casualties on both sides. It stretched from the two-thousander Mount Rombon to the Gulf of Trieste, a total length of over 90 km. The area and places that divided people more than 100 years ago now connect and inspire. Get to know the destinations in Slovenia through which the Walk of Peace takes you.

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Soča Valley

Escape on an active break in the picturesque world of the Julian Alps, the Triglav National Park and the emerald River Soča.

Brda

Sun-Kissed Wine Country between the Alps and the Mediterranean

Karst

The world of underground wonders, stunning natural phenomena and unique tastes.

Visitor centres in Slovenia

You can enter the Walk of Peace at any point, but the best place to start or take some time out is at one of the Walk of Peace visitor centres. There you can get all the information about the trail, see interactive content and arrange a guided tour in the company of local guides. The following are the centres you can find in Slovenia.

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Kobarid

The visitor centre in Kobarid is located just a few steps away from the Kobarid Museum. In addition to information and material about the trail, you can also get more information there about the Soča...

Sabotin – Park of Peace

Mount Sabotin above Nova Gorica is probably one of the most sinister witnesses of the Isonzo Front, as it is riddled with a system of caverns and trenches. There, you will also find an innovative multimedia...

Monument of Peace in Cerje

The Monument of Peace in Cerje stands at an extraordinary scenic viewpoint from which you can look at both the Alps and the sea. There is one of the Walk of Peace visitor centres there, enabling you to...

Photo: Žiga Koren, Jošt Gantar

Monuments and museums with a view

Make the most of the sunny days and climb the peaks above the Soča River and the Karst, which tell stories from the times of the Isonzo Front and impress with their beautiful views from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea.

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Kolovrat Outdoor Museum

Climb to the Kolovrat Ridge (1,115 m), which during the World War I was the defence line of the Italian Army. Today, you will find here an outdoor museum. The ascent to this ridge will reward you with...

Church of the Holy Spirit on Javorca Plateau

Visit the wooden memorial Church of the Holy Spirit on Javorca Plateau, the most beautiful World War I memorial in the the Republic of Slovenia, which even received the European Heritage Label. Hike to...

Sabotin – Peace Park

Head to the top of the Sabotin Hill on foot or by bike. During World War I, the hill was an important strategic point above Gorica, whereas today it is promoted as a "peace park". Explore the world of...

Cerje Monument of Peace

The monument to the defenders of the Slovenian homeland, which stands on the panoramic summit of Cerje on the western edge of the Karst Plateau, is one of the points of interest along the Walk of Peace....

»Ultra cineres ira non superest. - Hatred should not be pursued over the ashes of the dead.«

Inscription in the memorial Church of the Holy Spirit on Javorca Hill, which bears the European Heritage Label

Best experiences on the Walk of Peace

Alone, as a couple, with friends or family – it’s up to you who you hike the Walk of Peace with. But we can give you a hint on how to experience the journey differently. Here are some interesting guided experiences that will bring you closer to historical moments and remind you of how important peace and understanding between nations is.

A soldier’s story from the Soča (Isonzo) Front

Become a guest of one of the most-visited museums in Slovenia. Explore an authentic maze of caverns and entrenchments, and feel the raw beauty of this war-time landscape, where livestock now graze and mountain cheese is made. This is an area with exceptional nature and the emerald beauty, the River Soča.

A soldier’s story from the Soča (Isonzo) Front

In the boots of an Isonzo Front soldier

Take a hike with a guide dressed as a soldier from the Isonzo Front and listen to the stories of the battles that forever marked the Karst during World War I. Go together from the Monument of Peace in Cerje to the stone throne dedicated to the famous Austro-Hungarian commander Svetozar Borojević, and to the Pečinka Cave, and end your hike with a military lunch from a cauldron.

Kobarid battered by centuries

Kobarid and its surroundings were the location of some of the fiercest battles of the Isonzo Front. In addition to the heritage of World War I, along the five-kilometre trail you will discover other interesting remains of the past – from the Tonovcov Grad archaeological site and the Napoleon Bridge to the Italian ossuary and the Italian defensive line from World War I. And nature does not skimp on its wonders, either. One of these is the stunning Kozjak Waterfall.

To the cradle of pasturing below the mighty Krn

The mighty Krn Mountains was the scene of several fierce battles during the Isonzo Front and a desired strategic point for both sides. When the storm of the war was over, the area below the Krn was taken over by shepherds and even today people can taste the rich cheese-making tradition there. Below the Krn, the stories of Isonzo Front soldiers intertwine with the stories of shepherds, and the mountain pastures intertwine with the remains of World War I.

Photos: Katarina and Andrej Photography, Tadej Koren, Jošt Gantar

Treasure from the hinterland

When following the line of the Isonzo Front on Slovenian soil, take a trip to some other sights, both on the front line and in the hinterland, that are worth visiting. You will go there via well-maintained paths you can travel on foot, and in some places even by bicycle.

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The beauty of nature, the richness of culture – this is Slovenia

The best way to experience the beauty of the Slovenian landscapes is to take one of the long-distance trails. Take a look of the precious treasure troves of natural and cultural heritage, including some that made it to the UNESCO lists.

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Long-distance trails

Long-distance trails run across mountain peaks, through valleys, all the way to the sea.

Soča Valley

Escape on an active break in the picturesque world of the Julian Alps, the Triglav National Park and the emerald River Soča.

UNESCO World Heritage

Slovenian treasure troves of world heritage

Nature parks

Discover a wealth of various plant and tree species.

Alpine Slovenia

Alpine Slovenia, at the heart of the mountains, along lakes and rivers. Visit Triglav National Park, Bled, Bohinj, Kranjska Gora and the Soča Valley.

The Julian Alps

Julian Alps - a paradise for active adventures and relaxation in nature.

The most beautiful train journeys in Slovenia

Picturesque railway routes and eventful trips experienced while travelling by train.

The most beautiful hiking trails

Discover some of the most interesting trails with beautiful views.

Stories from Slovenia

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The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea – a story about war and peace