Krčnik Gorge with natural bridge (Kožbanjšček, Goriška Brda)
The Kožbanjšček brook in Goriška Brda has cut a 40 m run of limestone troughs at Krčnik, protected as a natural monument. It opens with a huge 6 m deep round pothole spanned by a smooth natural bridge, then continues as a chute in places only half a metre wide, broken by pools up to 5 m, before opening into a steep-walled gorge. The PAS sheet suggests a half-hour dive working upstream through the three bigger pools; fish of up to 30 cm have nowhere to go and soon pose for cameras. In the dark upper pool local winemakers keep wire crates of sparkling wine maturing on the bottom.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Soča Valley (Bovec – Kobarid – Solkan)
- Depth: 0–6 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: channel
- Coordinates: 46.03909, 13.5294
- Highlights: natural stone bridge over a pool, 6 m deep round pothole, narrow chute down to half a metre wide, pools up to 5–6 m, fish up to 30 cm in the deep pools, wire crates of maturing sparkling wine in the upper pool, limestone troughs
- Unverified: Unverified legal status: Krčnik is a natural monument under a 1985 municipal decree (probably the Nova Gorica decree in Uradno glasilo Nova Gorica 8/85), but its text is not online, so it is unclear whether it restricts entering or diving in the pools. The sheet (2012) lists no ban, and the nearby Kotline are a popular bathing spot. Ask the Municipality of Brda / ZVKDS or the local club before diving.
- Tips: Park at the signed car park by the natural-monument board on the Neblo–Kožbana road. The fenced walkway is not suitable for entering the water: find the path down to the lowest pool and go upstream in the bed, taking fins off to climb between pools. Bring light gear (max. 10 l cylinder) and a torch for the deep, dark pools. The pools are tiny – one buddy pair at most, and the leader will silt up the view. Go when the flow is cold and sufficient (around 13 °C); in warmer water algae ruin the visibility. Do not touch the wine crates. The sheet dates from 2012; conditions may have changed.