The upper part of the Soča Trail starts at the Koča pri Izviru Soče (Hut by the Source of the Soča) and ends at Na Logu in Trenta with a visit to the TNP Information Centre.
From the hut, there is only a short walk to the source of the Soča. The Soča Trail, however, starts just below the hut at the first information board which presents the course of the trail and marks the locations of other information points. This part of the trail contains seven information points informing the visitor about the history, cultural and technical heritage of the valley, natural attractions with their typical animal and plant species and geologic features and forestry.
The trail runs from the source of the Soča just above the river and then turns onto the Vršič – Trenta road. At the first curve, there is the monument to Dr Julius Kugy. It is located at a highly picturesque site offering splendid views towards Zadnja Trenta and Jalovec, the Trenta valley and the mountain ridges which surround it. The farm below the monument, called the Turer farm, is an outstanding example of the valley's architectural heritage. The trail descends towards the Mlinarica Gorge, then continues along the road to the first bridge, suddenly moving to the right bank of the Soča and proceeding until the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. Cross the footbridge to get to the church, or go 200 metres back along the main road to visit Alpinum Juliana, the only Slovenian Alpine botanical garden, arranged in 1926.
Walk along the right bank of the river above the camping site, where the path rises slightly until you reach the next footbridge. On the other bank of the river, you can see a reconstructed timber chute (riža) and a Venetian saw, both important elements of the technical heritage of the Trenta valley. In only 5 minutes, you come to the centre of the Trenta village, called Na Logu. »Dom Trenta«, the TNP Information Centre, houses an attractive presentation of the Triglav National Park and the Trenta Museum displaying the cultural heritage of the valley and a reconstruction of life on pastures and diary farming in the area.
Access: by car to the car park at the Hut by the Source of the Soča, by bus to the turn-off for the Source of the Soča. As the Soča Trail is not a circular route, use of bus is recommended, but note that in that case, visit to the source of the river takes additional 30 minutes of walking. Cars can be left at the car park in front of the TNP Information Centre, 50 metres away from the bus station.
Estimated time: 2.30h for this part of the Soča Trail (visit to the TNP Information Centre and Alpinum Juliana not included).
Guided tours: In July and August, the Soča Trail Tour starts at 9.00am every Thursday. Meeting point: Hut by the Source of the Soča. Free-of-charge transport to the starting point is organised. Price: SIT 2.460,00 for adults, discounts for children and students. The price includes entrance to the TNP Information Centre.