In the northwest of Slovenia is the Vršič Pass, a mountain pass with majestic views. If it’s not on your list of places to visit and hike while travelling to Slovenia, you’ll read our post and be drawn to add it. The highest alpine pass is waiting for you and we’re here to help you get there! So keep reading backpackers.
What is the Vršič Pass?
Counting over 50 hairpin turns and sitting at 1.611 m above sea level, Vršič Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, and arguably the country’s most beautiful. It’s located in the eastern Julian Alps and it connects Upper Carniola – the mountainous part of the larger Carniola region – with the Trenta Valley in Littoral. The nearest town in Upper Carniola is Kranjska Gora on the northern side, while Trenta is the nearest one located in Littoral.
Located in the Triglav National Park, the Vršič Pass is the ideal destination 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 too good not to be explored.
Vršič Pass is also a great place to visit for driving enthusiasts, as the winding road leading up the pass is simply stunning, offering the best views over the mountain range of the Eastern Julian Alps.
– Learn about the “Russian Road”
The road winding to the Vršič Pass is now known as the “Russian Road” since large sections of the road were built by Russian prisoners during WWI. The construction works were followed by a tragic accident in 1916 when an avalanche killed over 300 Russian soldiers.
Today, the road to Vršič Pass is only open during summertime. Driving up the mountain in winter is too dangerous, as the risk of avalanches is still very high.
Where is the Vršič Pass?
Vršič Pass is located in north-western Slovenia, near the border with Italy and Austria. It’s about 50 minutes (34km) from Bovec and 25 minutes (13km) from Kranjska Gora. The popular Lake Bled, on the other hand, is about 1 hour away (50km), while Slovenia’s capital city Ljubjlana is 1.30h or 95km away.
The pass can be reached either by car, by bus, by campervan or by bike. Check the chapters below to know more about the different options.
Driving the Vršič Pass
Before driving to Vršič Pass, make sure the road is open. As we just mentioned, Vršič Pass is only open during the summer months (April – October), while it’s closed during winter. If you’re travelling around Slovenia during early spring or late autumn, check out the official website Promet.si to see if the pass is open.
The road is entirely paved and it’s not particularly narrow, but the over 50 hairpin turns are quite a challenge. 24 of them are located on the Kranjska Gora side, while the other 26 are on the Trenta side. The hairpins are numbered along the way and you can count them as you drive by.
There are several viewpoints where you can park along the way, so make sure to take your time while driving up the road. Talking directions, the north to south (from Kranjska Gora to Trenta) is the most popular route, and it’s also how the hairpins are numbered (from 1 to 50). The opposite direction (from Trenta to Kranjska Gora) is also great, but the views are slightly less impressive. Anyways, each travel direction is good as there are no major differences between the two options.
🅿️ – Parking at Vršič Pass
At Vršič Pass you can leave your car either in one of the few spots available or on the side of the road, to go hiking or have something to eat at one of the mountain huts. The photo below refers to high season (mid August) at 12PM, so it’s obviously incredibly packed.
Road cycling the Vršič Pass
Are you a bike enthusiast? From Kranjska Gora, the section leading to the Vršič Pass is 10 km long, with a 711m elevation gain and an average slope of 6.9%, with some parts considerably steeper. On this side of the pass, you will have 24 cobbled hairpins, while on the Trenta side there are no cobbles on the hairpins. This is important to mention as it’s preferable to climb the cobbles rather than descend them.
At the top of Vršič Pass, you will find two mountain huts, perfect for a drink and some well-deserved rest. If you’re looking for something more adventurous than the sole Vršič Pass, a great cycling route would be the loop trail from – and to – Kranjska Gora. You’d be looking at a 106km bike ride with about 3000m total elevation gain, and it’s possibly the best cycling route in Slovenia.
The route starts in Kranjska Gora, goes all the way up to the Vršič Pass, descends then down to Trenta, and goes back to Kranjska Gora passing via Trenta and Tarvisio (in Italy). On the way, we highly recommend heading to the Mangart Mountain Road, which is the highest asphalted road in Slovenia (2.072m of altitude). You can get there cycling through 13 hairpins and 5 tunnels.
Below you can find a map of this majestic itinerary:
🗺️ HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the top left icon to get more info about this map. Use the star icon next to the title to save it in your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, then go to “your places“, tap on “maps” and you will see this map on your list.
Get to the Vršič Pass by bus (Bovec – Vršič – Kranjska Gora)
Kranjska Gora and the Soca Valley are connected by public transport via a bus that goes all the way up and down to the Vršič Pass. The whole bus drive from Bovec to Kranjska Gora takes 1h 40minutes. You can take a look at its timetable here to check the exact times and days of the bus schedule.
- From Bovec, the bus ride to the Vršič Pass takes 1h 10 minutes.
- From Kranjska Gora, the ride up the Vršič Pass takes 35 minutes.
Keep in mind that this is a seasonal bus line and in 2022 only operated from 01/06 to 30/09.
Best things to do at Vršič Pass
There are several interesting places you should check out when visiting Vršič Pass and its surrounding areas, including viewpoints, hiking routes, war memorials, rock formations, and stunning gorges. In the map below you can find the main landmarks to see at Vršič Pass and nearby:
The Russian Chapel at Vršič Pass
This wooden Orthodox chapel sits at about 1100 m above sea level, on the northern side of the pass, in the direction of Kranjska Gora.
It was built by the Russian prisoners in 1917, in memory of the 300 victims who perished in an avalanche in March 1916 during the construction of the Vršič Pass road.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint Vladimir, and it served both as a war memorial as well as a symbolic bond between Russia and Slovenia.
The Pagan Girl
There is a curious rock formation on the sides of one of the mountains surrounding the Vršič Pass.
At first sight, you may think this rudimental Mount Rushmore-like face is man-made, but actually, it’s the result of nature.
To appreciate this view, walk on the road that connects Tičar Lodge with Postman’s Lodge. At some point along the way, you will find an info board with info about The Pagan Girl of Vršič Pass.
Check out our map for the exact location of the viewpoint.
Go Hiking
There are so many hiking routes near the Vršič Pass, so get your boots ready!
Advanced hikers might be looking at the path to Prisojnik window or at the Via Ferrata on Mala Mojstrovka, while easier routes like Slemenova Spica are perfect for occasional mountaineers.
You can even hike all the way down from the Vršič Pass to Kranjska Gora for a great full-day hike and an unforgettable experience.
The Great Soča Gorge
On the southern side between the Vršič Pass and Bovec you will find the Great Soča Gorge, one of Slovenia’s most beautiful natural landmarks.
The river Soča originates near the Vršič Pass and makes its way along the stunning Soča Valley, creating a spectacular view.
Also, the water is crystal clear and visitors are allowed to swim in it. Make sure not to miss it!
You may also consider a visit to the Source of River Soca, located up the mountains near the pass. You can find the exact location on the map below.
Lake Jasna
On the northern side, near Kranjska Gora, you will find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy water activities: Lake Jasna.
There is wide parking (paid) next to the lake and plenty of room all around it to sunbathe and chill.
Lake Jasna is just 10km away from the Vršič Pass, so it makes a perfect destination to include in your itinerary.
Nearby, check out the town of Kranjska Gora and enjoy the mountain vibes of this tourist resort.
Viewpoint Supca
A stunning viewpoint overlooking the Soča Valley, located on the side of the road near hairpin n°29.
While driving up the road you will find a small parking area with an info board indicating Supca Viewpoint.
The parking only fits a few cars, so drive slowly as it’s easy to be missed. From the info board, you only have to walk a few meters past the trees before reaching the actual viewpoint.
Slap Virje near Bovec
If you like chasing waterfalls, make sure to visit Slap Virje near the mountain resort of Bovec and enjoy this untouched scenery.
This waterfall is located at the end of a short walk and the emerald lake created by the stream is highly worth a visit. Slap Virje is also very easy to reach both by car or by public transport, and it’s just 36km from the Vrsic Pass.
Check out our full guide for more details and don’t forget to add it to your bucket list.
Pericnik Waterfall
Amongst Slovenia’s greatest falls, Pericnik Waterfall is an outstanding 2 drops waterfall, and you can even walk behind them.
It can be visited in a few hours as the trek up the falls is very short, and it’s only 30km from the Vrsic Pass on the way to Bled.
This is a must-visit place when in Slovenia and you can read more on our detailed guide.
Check the map below for the exact locations of the places mentioned above and more.
🗺️ HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the top left icon to get more info about this map. Use the star icon next to the title to save it in your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, then go to “your places“, tap on “maps” and you will see this map on your list.
Best hike at Vršič Pass
While there are several hiking options near Vršič Pass, the most famous and beautiful hike is probably the one to Slemenova Špica. This is a 5.0km hike with a 340m elevation difference and it takes about 3h to complete. It can be done backtracking the same path (easier) or as a loop (more challenging).
The hike offers stunning views along its entire way and a bonus one once you reach the viewpoint of Slemenova Špica.
Sleeping on the Vršič Pass
Can you sleep at Vršič Pass? Yes! You can sleep on top of the Vršič Pass! There are no fancy hotels up here, but there are a few mountain huts available.
These mountain lodges are very basic and rustic, but you’ll find warm hospitality, great food, fair prices, and stunning views. We highly recommend staying up here for an even better Slovenia experience.
🛏️ – Tičar Lodge on the Vršič Pass
Tičar Lodge is the first mountain hut located at the summit of the Vršič Pass. This lodge has a restaurant and rooms, and it’s perfect for a meal after a long hike or to spend a night watching the stars.
The rooms are both private and shared, and they range from €32/night for a single bed in a shared dorm to €76/night for a private double room that sleeps 2 people.
USEFUL INFO: Tičar Lodge is only open from June to September and it gets fully booked during high season (August). Make sure to check availability and book in advance if you’re planning to go. Check it out here.
🛏️ – Postman’s Lodge on the Vršič Pass
Postman’s Lodge is a lovely hut on the Vršič Pass that – just like Tičar Lodge – also has rooms and a restaurant. It’s a short 20-minute walk from Vršič Pass, the food is great and it’s reasonably priced. Main dishes go from €5 to €10 each.
From here, the views of the valley and nearby hilltops are unmatched, and we highly recommend coming up here even if you don’t plan on eating or sleeping here.
Eating at the Mountain Huts
So, what does a traditional Slovenian meal cooked in a mountain lodge look – and tastes – like?
Traditional Slovenian food is based on dumplings, pork, soups, and vegetables. Meals are usually quite simple yet very rich in taste and flavour. They are also generally very high in calories, as plenty of pork fat is used. Due to its proximity to the Soca River, trout is also very popular in this area.
Vegetarians won’t find a lot of options, but will certainly find some as vegetables are also a big part of the local culture and cuisine.
Discover the WWI Bunkers
On the way to the Postman’s Lodge are the rests of two bunkers from WWI. Vršič Pass was of utmost strategic importance during the first world war, and several concrete bunkers and trenches were built here.
Today, the remains of these old structures lay on the hills of the Vršič Pass and testify to the history of this place.
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