Branica pools at Zavivalca gorge
The Branica, the largest left tributary of the Vipava, separates the Karst from the Vipava valley; below Štanjel it enters a narrow gorge called Zavivalca. Next to a weir above the hamlet of Čipnje the river has carved a couple of attractive natural rock pools up to about 3 m deep, with a weedy bottom and lush banks. Both deeper pools can be explored in half an hour and the long shallow pool up to the weir is good for snorkelling. The pools are small – room for one pair of divers at most.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Vipava valley & Karst (Škocjan)
- Depth: 0–3 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: channel
- Coordinates: 45.83468, 13.84095
- Highlights: natural rock pools in a narrow gorge, weir above Čipnje, weedy bottom, long shallow pool for snorkelling
- Tips: From the Vipava exit go back towards Podnanos, turn west for Manče/Štanjel, and in the Branica valley turn north on a narrow road for about 5 km into the gorge (or ~5 km upstream from Branik past Čipnje, over a bridge with wooden beams). A track right after the bridge leads to a small car park and picnic area; enter anywhere from that peninsula. Swim upstream so the weak current carries your silt away. Dive at medium water – the Branica dries up in summer; about 15 °C in spring. The deeper pool below the weir needs climbing to reach. The SPZ sheet dates from 2014; river gravel, banks and access roads may have changed since.