Sušec

Sušec is one of the canyoning routes near Bovec, in the upper Soča valley in the Julian Alps of northwestern Slovenia. Bovec is known as the adventure centre of the country, and the combination of limestone mountains, abundant rain and fast, clear streams has produced a cluster of canyons in the surrounding hills. In a canyon like Sušec, a mountain stream has cut a narrow channel through the rock, creating a series of waterfalls, plunge pools, smooth chutes and slides, and the usual way to experience it is to travel downstream with a guide, walking, sliding, jumping and abseiling through the water.

Canyoning is a physical but rewarding activity. Participants wear a wetsuit, helmet and harness, and they follow a guide who sets ropes, shows safe routes and decides when conditions allow the descent. Depending on the canyon, the day can include walking in a streambed, sliding down natural water slides, jumping into deep pools from different heights and abseiling down waterfalls, and each section brings its own mix of excitement and care. The water is cold even in midsummer, since it comes from the mountains, and the wetsuit is essential. Guides check the forecast, since a canyon can fill with water quickly after rain, and trips are cancelled when conditions are not safe. Beginners are usually welcome in the easier canyons, while others require more experience and fitness, so it is important to ask the operator about grade and what is expected.

The setting adds to the interest. The walls of the canyon are smooth, sculpted rock, often green with moss and fern, and light filters through the trees above, giving the descent an atmosphere of a hidden world. The geology is limestone, in which water has dissolved and cut channels over thousands of years, and guides often point out features such as potholes and polished surfaces. The surrounding forest is quiet and rich in wildlife. Because the canyon is a natural environment, visitors are asked to follow the guide's instructions, avoid disturbing plants and animals and take away all rubbish.

There are no fixed opening hours or entrance fees for the canyon itself, and trips are arranged through the adventure companies of Bovec, which supply equipment and guides. The area offers many other activities, including rafting and kayaking on the Soča, the Boka waterfall, the Great Soča Gorge, the Ucja canyon and the Virje waterfall, and the valley holds the remains of the First World War front, so a stay can combine adventure and history.

The activity suits fit and adventurous people, teenagers and adults. Book through a licensed operator, ask about the grade, and be ready to be flexible if the weather turns.