Soča Valley and Vršič Pass

The road over the Vršič links Kranjska Gora with the upper Soča Valley near Bovec. It is the highest road pass in Slovenia and is closed in winter.

Region: Upper Carniola and Soča Valley, Slovenia
Top elevation: 1,611 m (Vršič)
Start / end: Kranjska Gora / Bovec
Best season: Summer to early autumn, closed in winter
Open: Seasonal, check traffic info

What should you know before visiting Soča Valley and Vršič Pass?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €16 (Slovenia, Vignette).

The pass is closed in winter because of snow and avalanche risk. Check the current status with the Slovenian traffic information service before you drive.
The road has about 50 hairpin bends and is narrow and somewhat steep in its higher sections. It is busy in summer, so drive slowly and allow for oncoming traffic.
In Triglav National Park, camping and parking motorhomes in the natural environment is not allowed; only campsites are permitted. Elsewhere in Slovenia, overnight stays outside campsites are generally allowed only where signs permit.

The drive

From Kranjska Gora the road climbs to the Vršič (1,611 m) and then drops into the Trenta Valley, with about 24 hairpins on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side. On the north side stands the Russian Chapel, a memorial to the Russian prisoners of war who built the road in the First World War. Along the road are the mountain hut Poštarski dom and a panoramic viewpoint. On the south side the source of the Soča and the Soča Valley lead on to Bovec. The drive works equally well in the other direction.

Planning

The pass lies in Triglav National Park and may be closed for part of the year because of winter conditions and snow. Dates change every year, and the Slovenian traffic information service (promet.si) shows the current status. Roadworks with partial closures near the top have been reported in recent seasons, so check before you go. None of the sources consulted gave length or weight limits for the pass, so ask the road administration (DRSI) if you plan to go up in a long or heavy motorhome.

Camping

Slovenia.info states that in Triglav National Park tents may not be pitched and motorhomes may not be parked in the natural environment. Camping is possible only in organised campsites, and fires are banned outside designated spots. Elsewhere, overnight stays outside campsites are generally allowed only where a sign permits, and municipalities set their own conditions. Realistic options are campsites in the Soča Valley and stopovers that allow motorhomes. Ask the site or the municipality beforehand, as rules can change.

FAQs

When is the Vršič Pass open?

It may be closed for part of the year because of winter conditions and snow, and the dates change every year. When it is closed, cars can usually only reach Koča na Gozdu from Kranjska Gora. The Slovenian traffic information service (promet.si) gives the current status.

How many hairpin bends does the pass road have?

The Kranjska Gora tourist board gives 50 in total: 24 on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side. The road is narrow, so allow for oncoming traffic.

Can I camp wild in Slovenia?

Not in Triglav National Park, where camping is possible only in campsites. Elsewhere, overnight stays outside campsites are generally allowed only where a sign permits, and municipalities set their own rules. Campsites and motorhome stopovers are the safe choice; if in doubt, ask the municipality or tourist office.

How much are the tolls on Soča Valley and Vršič Pass?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €16 (Slovenia, Vignette). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.