Vipava at Uhanje (Dulanov mlin)
Where the upper Vipava leaves the flat Ajdovščina plain at Uhanje, the river narrows and the weir of Dulanov mill (also called Klemšetov mill) deepens it enough for diving. Upstream of the weir the river undercuts the left bank into a pool up to 3.5 m deep where a big Soča (marble) trout lurks, and after about half an hour the bed becomes too shallow to continue. Below the weir there is only a small 2.5 m plunge pool circled by a shoal of large, shy fish. The bed is weedy gravel with good visibility at low water.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Vipava valley & Karst (Škocjan)
- Depth: 0–3.5 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: drift, channel, night
- Coordinates: 45.86411, 13.87207
- Highlights: weir of Dulanov (Klemšetov) mill, 3.5 m pool on the outer bend, marble trout (large 'Soča trout' in the pool), shy large fish below the weir, small fish in the shallows, weedy riverbed, fossil sites and a cave nearby
- Tips: From Ustje drive to Uhanje, cross the river and follow a narrow gravel track ~1 km along the left bank to the mill; park there. Cross the footbridge over the mill race to the island and enter above the weir or in the pool below it. Swim upstream and drift back – the whole dive is about an hour; the pool below the weir takes five minutes. Snorkel is handy for the shallows, compass for navigation. Dive at low water; summer water about 15 °C, winter about 5 °C. Night diving is possible. The SPZ sheet dates from 2012; river gravel, banks and access roads may have changed since.