Driving the Vrsic Pass, Slovenia's Most Beautiful Mountain Road
A must on any Slovenian road trip itinerary, the Vrsic pass is Slovenia’s highest and most wonderful mountain pass. With over 50 hairpins, the road does come with a few unique challenges.
Here’s our complete guide to the Vrsic pass, including when to visit, what to see, and how to drive it safely.
As road trip lovers and mountain fanatics, a high alpine pass is guaranteed to get us giddy with excitement every single time.
There’s just nothing better than slowly winding your way along an edge-of-your-seat mountain road, encased by large trees and ever larger mountains, overlooking the slowly shrinking valleys below.
The Vršič Pass, located in north-west of Slovenia, is one of those wonderful alpine roads.
Starting in Kranjska Gora, the road passes thick larch forests, green mountain meadows, and quaint alpine huts under ever-present pointed peaks, before ending in the lush Soča valley.
The Vršič Pass is Slovenia’s highest and most popular mountain pass, and it’s no surprise; at each hairpin (there are 50 of them!), the views change and evolve to showcase another angle of this pretty-as-pie slice of the country.
That’s why we think no road-trip to Slovenia is complete without a drive over this 1,611m high pass. We’ve put together a guide to the Vršič Pass, including all the information you need to make the most of your drive.
A GUIDE TO THE VRSIC PASS, SLOVENIA
WHERE IS THE VRSIC PASS?
To drive this majestic road, you probably need to know where it is, right?
The Vršič Pass is located in northwest Slovenia amongst the Julian Alps and is the highest mountain pass in the country at 1,611m.
The road connects the region of Upper Carniola with the Trenta Valley and has become a must-see attraction in Slovenia due to its incredible views and detailed history.
Visitors to Slovenia can access the road from the Soča Valley, or from Kranjska Gora. We drove over the pass as part of our 7-day Slovenian road trip.
The road is only open for ~7 months a year and shuts down during the winter months due to the threat of avalanche.
To check if the Vršič Pass is open, click here.
slovenia roadie | our complete 7-day slovenia road trip guide
THE HISTORY OF THE VRSIC PASS
Before driving over it, we didn’t know much of the Vršič pass, beyond the obvious. However as we made our way up and over, it became clear this was more than just any old road.
Formally a path connecting the valleys of the Soca and the Save, the road was improved during WW1 to supply the Austro-Hungarian troops battling the Isonzo Front, one of the bloodiest fronts in the Great War.
Over 10,000 Russian prisoners of war were drafted to widen and maintain the Vršič pass during the war, of which many died due to the harsh conditions and disease. Further tragedy occurred in 1916 when an avalanche wiped out the prisoner’s lodging, leaving over 300 dead and today, the road (Ruska Cesta) serves as a memorial to the lost soldiers. This threat of avalanche continues to close the road during the harsh winter months.
The 24km Vršič pass now safely connects Kranjska Gora in the Save Valley to Trenta in the Soča Valley, via 50 precarious yet adrenalin-inducing hairpin bends; 24 on the Kranjska Gora side, and 24 on the Trenta side.
At its highest, the pass reaches 1,600m - the highest mountain pass in all of Slovenia, and it provides some incredible views over the surrounding mountains and valleys.
OUR EXPERIENCE DRIVING OVER THE VRSIC PASS
HAIRPINS AND MOUNTAIN PEAKS
Our own experience driving over the Vršič pass was one of excitement, fear and a little trepidation.
As it so happened, our first attempt driving over the pass coincided with a Slovenian national holiday, and as we jostled our way from Kranjska Gora with what felt like hundreds of other motorists, it became clear that our planned day exploring the Soča Valley was going to be a slow one. That being said, it still was a wonderful day - albeit slow and a little tiresome in parts.
Our second trip, though, was the complete opposite. While the weather wasn’t perfect, the roads were basically empty, providing the most enjoyable experience possible.
We slowly made our way through the autumnal larches of the valley, before the steep incline and narrow hairpins began to drain the power from our little hire car.
At hairpin eight, we arrived at the Russian Chapel, built to commemorate the lives of Russian soldiers who died building the road. The pretty, wooden chapel, surrounded by towering larches, is a must-stop on the drive up.
Next stop was Hairpin 16 and the Prisank viewpoint, which has striking vistas back towards Lake Jasna and Kranjska Gora, as well as a pretty alpine meadow in which to take photos.
The road begins to straighten out from here until the highest point of the pass, where we stop off and take a walk to the wonderful alpine lodge called Poštarski dom na Vršiču. From here you can sit and enjoy some mountain sun while enjoying local herbal tea (or a beer, like we did).
The 26 hairpins down into the Soča Valley are pretty tight - we actually found the drive down a little unnerving at times, mostly due to the driver who thought it best to spend the whole trip down on our backside. Alas, the views are incredible and it’s possible to see parts of the former tunnels, built in 1916.
Once down in the Soča valley, a whole new adventure begins. We stopped at least five times on our way to Bovec, admiring the emerald waters of the Soča at every opportunity.
This part of the world is achingly beautiful, and we can’t emphasise enough how wonderful a road trip through here is.
WHERE TO STOP ON THE VRSIC PASS
THE RUSSIAN CHAPEL
An essential stop on the Vršič pass is the wooden Russian Chapel, built in memory of hundreds of soldiers who died here during World War 1.
The beautiful Russian Orthodox Chapel is dedicated to Saint Vladimir and was built in 1917, serving as a war memorial to those who died while constructing the Vršič Pass, as well as a symbolic link between Russia and Slovenia.
We suggest spending no longer than 10 minutes here - beyond the church there isn’t much to see or read, but the church itself is photogenic and worthy of an insta-snap or two.
It is located on the Kranjska Gora side of the pass just past hairpin turn #8 (each hairpin turn is labeled with a bright blue sign). There is a small parking lot near the chapel.
PRISANK VIEWPOINT
Prisank viewpoint is a perfect stop off point to enjoy the unique natural surrounds of the Triglav National Park.
It’s from here that the mountains feel as if they’re on top of you - a stark reminder of how small we actually are, while the view across the towering larches to the Save valley below are just stunning.
If you’ve packed a lunch and are looking for somewhere comfortable to enjoy it, Prisank is the perfect place for a picnic.
The the left of the carpark is a small mountain meadow complete with wooden hut which makes for a wonderful photography location.
Located just after hairpin #16, there’s a carpark on either side of the road for a quick stop.
THE POSTMAN’S LODGE (POŠTARSKI DOM NA VRŠIČU)
The panoramic views from the peak of the Vršič pass are some of the best in Slovenia. From this point, you can gaze directly out over the jagged peaks of the Triglav ranges, and into the blue-hued masterpiece of the Soča valley below.
A short walk from the main pass carpark is Poštarski dom na Vršiču, a charming mountain chalet that serves delicious food, beer and local herbal tea. We recommend you set yourself down and admire the alpine views and solitude, before taking on the 26 remaining hairpins of the pass below.
If you’re like us, you might never want to leave.
THE UPPER SOČA VALLEY
As the Vršič pass slowly descends into the picturesque Soča valley, the road flattens out and becomes a lovely leisurely drive to Bovec.
It’s here the famous Soča river commences, and becomes an ever-present accompaniment to your drive. It’s drop dead gorgeous, and we implore you to stop as many times as possible.
One of the key sights to stop at is the gorge of the Soča, which is the perfect place to admire the beauty and unique colours of the Soča River.
It’s also a great place to have a swim during the warm summer months.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE DRIVING THE VRŠIČ PASS
Most experienced drivers will find the Vršič pass an easy drive, save for a few narrow bends and the odd cyclist.
That being said, our first drive on the pass was a little nerve-wracking, due to the aforementioned National holiday which made the journey a little overwhelming.
It’s for that reason we’re letting you know a few tips and tricks before tackling the pass; basically we don’t want you having to pay out a large insurance premium.
Go early | We can’t emphasise enough how busy the Vršič pass gets in summer, so we recommend attempting the road during the early hours (7 am - 10 am). Not only will you have the road to yourself, but the light and views will provide a magnificent backdrop to your journey
Only drive the pass if you’re an experienced driver | If you’re new to driving, maybe leave this one out (unless you’re driving an auto). Balancing the clutch and gears on this steep and windy road can be a struggle
The roads are narrow, so take each bend slowly | Unless you’re a drifting champion shooting a commercial for Red Bull, there’s no need to take the Vršič pass quickly. The bends are extremely narrow, so go slowly (10km/ph) to avoid unwanted incidents
Keep your eyes on the road, not the view (take it from us!) | I (Mark) have a knack for staring at the scenery and not the roads, but take it from me - keep your eyes on the road. From cyclists to rocks, there’s a potential danger around each corner
Watch out for cyclists, especially in summer | Cyclists love the Vršič pass and its elevation challenge. That’s awesome, but as a driver, you need to be very careful of cyclists, especially when passing on narrow sections
There is parking | At various points throughout the journey, parking is allocated. In the summer, this is often not enough, so many people park along the roadside. If you’re planning to hike at various points, arrive early (pre 9 am) to secure a parking spot
SLOVENIA TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS & FAQS
CAR HIRE IN SLOVENIA
If you’re planning your own roadie to Slovenia, we’d recommend hiring a small all-wheel drive / SUV in Ljubljana, the gateway to your Slovenia road trip.
We use Rentalcars.com to book our rental cars, which is an aggregator of all the major car hire companies. It’s easy, and has the best deals we’ve found.
BOOK | Search for car rental options in Ljubljana here
WHERE TO STAY IN KRANJSKA GORA
We stayed in this comfortable apartment which included a kitchen near the centre of Kranjska Gora. Perfect for those on a budget, it’s a short walk into town, and had all the amenities you need.
COST | €
BOOK | Check prices or book here
Alternatively, if you’re after a little more comfort, the Best Western Kranjska Gora is an upmarket alternative close to town.
COST | €€
BOOK | Check prices or book here
Or, find the best deals on Slovenia accommodation here
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN SLOVENIA
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
Here are our recommendations, based on 8+ years of full-time travel:
FOR TRAVELLERS | HeyMondo - Comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees.
*The Common Wanderer readers get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
FOR DIGITAL NOMADS | SafetyWing - Comprehensive travel & medical, and policies for digital nomads, and can be purchased while already abroad.
CAR INSURANCE | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
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PLAN YOUR SLOVENIAN ADVENTURES WITH OUR GUIDES
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