Vrsic Pass
Slovenia, europe
26 km
1,611 m
difficult
June to October
The Vrsic Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia at 1,611 meters, connecting the town of Kranjska Gora in the upper Sava Valley with the Soca Valley and the town of Bovec. The road features 50 numbered hairpin bends, 24 on the northern approach and 26 on the southern side, many of them surfaced with original cobblestones laid by Russian prisoners of war during World War I.
Built between 1914 and 1916 by over 10,000 Russian POWs under Austro-Hungarian command, the road has deep historical significance. An avalanche in March 1916 killed over 300 of these prisoners, and the Russian Chapel near the summit stands as a memorial to the fallen. The northern approach climbs steeply through forests of spruce and larch, while the southern descent into the Soca Valley reveals views of the Julian Alps and the emerald-green Soca River, renowned as one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. The cobblestoned hairpins demand careful driving, especially when wet.
Where is it?
Vrsic Pass is located in Julian Alps, Slovenia (europe). Coordinates: 46.4378, 13.7442
Driving Tips
The cobblestoned hairpins are very slippery when wet. Drive the southern approach first for the more dramatic views. Visit the Russian Chapel near the summit. The road is open May to November.
Road Surface
Mixed cobblestone and asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Slovenia
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Julian Alps
- Length
- 26 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,611 m
- Difficulty
- difficult
- Surface
- Mixed cobblestone and asphalt
- Best Season
- June to October
- Coordinates
- 46.4378, 13.7442
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