Are you looking for breathtaking views, a hike worth the effort, and some good old-fashioned outdoor fun? Then you should hike Slemenova Špica. Keep reading to learn about Slovenia’s best trail on Vršič Pass and start planning your trip.
What is Slemenova Špica?
If you’re planning your trip to Slovenia you may have considered visiting the Vršič Pass in the Julian Alps. This is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and one of the best places you can visit if you like hiking and mountaineering.
Slemenova Špica is the name of a viewpoint at the end of the beautiful hike that you can do from the Vršič Pass. It’s not a difficult hike by any means, but it’s also not a short one, as it takes about 4 hours to complete.
There are two different options to hike Slemenova Špica: the easiest one includes going to and fro on the same path, while the other one – a more difficult option – is a loop trail and it passes through some steep and narrow sections.
The starting point of the hike is at the Vršič Pass which is also where the Kranjska Gora – Bovec bus stops and where the parking lot is. All you need to do is get to the Vršič Pass and start walking.
How to get there
The starting point of the hike is located exactly on Vršič Pass, check the map below for the exact location:
You can reach the Vršič Pass by bike, car, or public transport. The easiest and probably best way is by car, as it gives the opportunity to stop along the way, and it also gives you extra freedom on the time of visit.
Another great way is by public transport, taking the bus that runs from Kranjska Gora to Bovec.
If you’re travelling by bike, you can cycle your way up and down the 50 hairpin turns that characterize the road leading to the Vršič Pass.
For more details about how to reach the starting point of the hike, check out our detailed guide to the Vršič Pass.
Parking info
There are a few parking areas located on both sides of the road, where visitors can park their cars free of charge. Expect these parking areas to fill up quickly during peak season, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning.
Best time to visit
You can only hike to Slemenova Špica when the Vršič Pass is open. In fact, Vršič Pass is closed during winter months for safety reasons and it’s only possible to get up there from April to October.
Among these months, the ideal time for hiking is late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and early October).
During these periods, the weather is generally mild and the trails are less crowded compared to the peak summer months of July and August. Additionally, the scenery is particularly stunning in late spring, with blooming alpine flowers, and in early autumn, with vibrant fall foliage.
If you choose to hike in the summer, be prepared for more visitors and plan to start your hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and ensure you find parking at the trailhead. Regardless of when you go, always check the weather forecast and trail conditions before setting out.
Hike details: route map
There are two different paths you can follow to hike to Slemenova Špica: the easy way is the one following the blue and the orange trail, then retrace your steps on the way back. The slightly more challenging path is marked in yellow, and you can take it either on your way to Slemenova Špica or on your way back to make a loop trail.
From A to B: This is the initial part of the trail, and it stretches from Vršič Pass to Vratca Prelaz. It’s a steep section of the hike yet not a difficult one, the path is relatively wide and easy to follow. This section is 760m long with an elevation gain of almost 200m. You’ll be hiking up for the entire section.
From B to C: From Vratca Prelaz to the base of Slemenova Špica. This section is about 1.4km long and it goes down then up again. The total elevation gain is almost negligible, but it’s not flat as the trail goes up and down.
From C to Slemenova Špica: The final hike towards Slemenova Špica is just 330m long but very very steep. After your visit, from Slemenova Špica you have to hike back down towards point C.
From C to B: If you’re not interested in backtracking, follow the yellow path to go back to Vratca Prelaz walking below the majestic Mojstrovka mountains. This part is more challenging but it’s also spectacular.
From B to A: Regardless of the hike you choose, go back to the Vršič Pass following the same path you’ve started your hike on.
Easy Way: Hike Details
Distance: 5km (total)
Elevation difference: +- 300m
Difficulty: easy
Loop Trail: Hike Details
Distance: 5.2km (total)
Elevation difference: +- 370m
Difficulty: moderate
Slemenova Špica – Detailed Guide
From Vršič Pass to Vratca Prelaz (A to B)
Set off for an early start and enjoy hiking with the morning lights.
The hike starts in Vršič Pass, and it starts with a very steep section that sneaks up the eastern side of the Mojstrovka mountains. The terrain is mostly gravel, with a few sections where stairs or big rocks are present. 200 of the 300 meters of elevation gain are located here.
The path is very easy to follow, as there are no crossroads or unmarked sections. On this part of the hike, you will have views over the pass and the valley descending to Kranjska Gora.
Don’t forget to turn around and take a look at the view along the way.
This section of the hike is quite exhausting, but the view at Vratca Prelaz is so rewarding and well worth the effort. Below you can see the iconic landscape of Vratca Prelaz, 1799m above sea level. In front of you, the path we marked as yellow on our map. On the left are the Vršič Pass and the trail you came from. Behind the camera, the path continues towards Slemenova Špica and is the one marked as blue on our map.
From Vratca Prelaz to the base of Slemenova Špica (B to C)
The section of the trail from Vratca Prelaz to the base of Slemenova Špica can be done either following the blue or the yellow path, making it a clockwise or an anti-clockwise loop trip. We’ve chosen to follow the blue path on our way to Slemenova Špica, leaving the yellow section of the path for our way back.
The first part of the path goes slightly downhill, and it opens soon offering views over the Nature reserve of Mala Pišnica, Sleme nad Tamarje and Slemenova Špica.
One short section requires more attention as the path winds among huge rocks, near the cliff. It didn’t feel particularly dangerous to us, but it is something to keep in mind if you suffer from vertigo.
The path here is less clear, but it’s marked with a red line or with red & white signs. Make sure to follow them at any time.
Hike from C to Slemenova Špica (and back)
The orange path leads all the way up to Slemenova Špica, the majestic views that give the name to this hike. Slemenova Špica sits at 1909m above sea level, and 300m above the Vršič Pass.
Unlike other mountains around Europe, there is no cross on the top of Slemenova Špica. However, make sure to look for the small rock indicating its name and its altitude.
From C to Vratca Prelaz (C to B on the yellow path)
From Slemenova Špica we hiked back down to point C and decided to proceed on the yellow path on our way back. While the first bit is relatively easy and you’ll be pleasantly walking on flat terrain, the second part is definitely more challenging. This, in fact, won’t be your regular trekking path as the trail climbs very steeply among loose gravel on the side of the huge Mojstrovka mountains.
Above you can see the steepest section of the trail. It is short but challenging as the surface is very slippery, and you’ll need to zig-zag up the slope. After this challenging passage, the trail continues on an almost flat yet very narrow trail before starting to descend towards Vratca Prelaz.
The entire yellow section of the path is about 1.5km long with an elevation gain of +- 160m.
From Vratca Prelaz to the Vršič Pass (B to A)
Regardless of the option that you’ll choose, the last bit of the hike will involve retracing your initial steps to head back to the Vršič Pass. There isn’t much to worry about here, as the trail is very easy to follow and you will go downhill for the entire time.
Our tips for hiking Slemenova Špica
The hike to Slemenova Špica takes around four hours, and there are no water sources along the way, so make sure to carry enough water with you.
Hiking boots are strongly recommended, as well as trekking gear and a jacket, since the weather in the Julian Alps can change rapidly.
Alternative routes
There are two possible alternative routes when hiking Slemenova Špica. The first one involves climbing the summit of Mala Mojstrovska without even visiting Slemenova Špica. While this is a gorgeous trail, we must mention it is only suitable for pro hikers and climbers, as it includes an iron path, also known as a via ferrata, and some climbing, as well as some very exposed and dangerous sections.
The other one is an alternative loop route that goes all the way back to the town of Kranjska Gora, and is a huge one! After visiting Slemenova Špica, make your way to Kranjska Gora via Grlo and Izvir Nadize. This is a full-day hike and it requires a lot of effort, so be prepared.
To do this hike, stay at Kranjska Gora and take the bus early in the morning all the way up to the Vršič Pass, then start the hike from there. Follow directions to Slemenova Špica, and after that head all the way down to Kranjska Gora following the orange path.
[…] for mountain lovers as it features some of Slovenia’s best hiking trails, like the one of Slemenova Špica. You could just drive up to admire the view, but having the mountain range surrounding the pass is […]