Feldban – Military Narrow-Gauge Railway
On this hike you will get to know the most interesting section of the feldban from Godovič to Idrija.
The story of feldban begins in WWI. In the 6th Battle of Isonzo, in August 1916, Italian army pushed the Austro-Hungarian one to the left bank of Isonzo River cutting its supply via the Bohinj Railway. As the remaining railways failed to provide sufficient supplies, they promoted the construction of new narrow-gauge railways – feldbans.
Today, there is a marked hiking trail on the Godovič-Idrija section of the Feldbahn, which you can walk on your own or with a guide.
For guided tours, send an inquiry by e-mail: tic@visit-idrija.si or phone: +386 5 37 43 916.
The story of the feldban (feld - field; bahn - railway) dates back to the First World War. After the fall of Gorizia and the retreat of the Austro-Hungarian army to the left bank of the Soča River in August 1916, this part of the Soča front needed additional supply lines through the Trnovo Forest.
Due to the congestion of the existing railway lines and cable cars, the construction of the first narrow-gauge horse-drawn railway was started in September 1916, running from Logatec to Zadlog, where the cable car system began. At the same time, a branch line to Idrija was built to supply the mining town. The steep descent into the Idrijca valley was overcome by a funicular railway at Divje jezero Lake.
Due to the limited carrying capacity of the horse-drawn carriage, the construction of an additional motorised narrow-gauge railway on the above-mentioned route had already begun before the end of 1916. The most challenging part was the descent of the railway into the Idrijca valley, where a number of technical structures had to be built to overcome the 300-metre height difference and the steep terrain.
Both narrow-gauge railways were in operation until the breakthrough of the Soča front on 24 October 1917.
Today, there is a marked hiking trail on this section of the Feldbahn, which you can walk on your own or with a guide.
For guided tours, send an inquiry by e-mail: tic@visit-idrija.si or phone: +386 5 37 43 916.
