Idrija river pools at Zarog
The Idrija (not to be confused with the Idrijca) forms the Slovenia–Italy border in its upper course. Below the hamlet of Pušno (Kambreško), near the abandoned village of Zarog, it has three remote pools that hardly any locals visit: an upper pool with a waterfall about 3.9 m deep beside old mill walls, a small middle pool of 2.7 m, and a lower waterfall pool of 3.6 m beside a well-preserved mill ruin. Each large pool is ruled by one big, well-fed trout, smaller trout live in all of them and crayfish hide under the rocks. The dives are short and shallow; the challenge is getting there.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Soča Valley (Bovec – Kobarid – Solkan)
- Depth: 0–4 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: channel
- Coordinates: 46.15158, 13.65515
- Highlights: three waterfall pools 2.7–3.9 m deep, ruins of old mills, one big brown trout in each large pool, stone crayfish
- Tips: From Kambreško take the gravel road towards Rog/Podravno and the narrow turn-off to Rog; park at the junction below the last inhabited farm. From there walk about 45 minutes and 150 m down via Zarog to the upper pool, then 15 minutes each along the old border-guard path to the middle and lower pools. Carry light gear: a 5 l cylinder without a BCD is enough; room for one buddy pair. Best at low water. The sheet dates from 2012.