$300-600/night
Soca Valley Lodge is a boutique fishing lodge tucked into the Julian Alps of western Slovenia, overlooking the emerald waters of the Soca River, one of the most visually stunning trout streams in all of Europe. The Soca is famous for its extraordinary clarity and its population of marble trout, a genetically distinct species found only in the Adriatic drainage of Slovenia and northeastern Italy. These striking fish, with their marbled olive and cream flanks, are considered among the rarest and most beautiful salmonids in the world, and the opportunity to pursue them with a fly rod in their native habitat draws dedicated anglers from across the globe.
The lodge occupies a renovated Alpine farmhouse with thick stone walls, exposed timber beams, and a terrace that overlooks a stretch of the Soca's turquoise pools. Accommodations are warm and intimate, with eight rooms decorated in a blend of traditional Slovenian folk art and contemporary mountain style. The kitchen serves locally sourced Slovenian cuisine, including freshwater trout, wild mushrooms, mountain cheeses, and hearty stews, accompanied by wines from the nearby Goriska Brda wine region.
Guided fishing on the Soca and its tributaries requires special permits that the lodge arranges in advance. Guides are licensed by the Slovenian fishing authority and bring deep knowledge of the river's hydrology, insect hatches, and the behavior patterns of marble trout, which differ markedly from the rainbow and brown trout that most visiting anglers have previously pursued. Sight-fishing to individual marble trout in gin-clear alpine water, with the Julian Alps soaring above, represents one of fly fishing's most unforgettable experiences.
Book directly with Soca Valley Lodge for the best rates and availability.
April through October
16 guest capacity
$300-600/night
