Slovenia’s Julian Alps

Route description

From Ljubljana, the A2 motorway takes you north to Blejsko jezero, Lake Bled, with a church on a tiny island below a cliff-top castle. Row across or take a traditional pletna boat. A lakeside campsite in Bled lets you walk the lakeshore path in the early morning.

Continue up the Sava valley to Kranjska Gora, then take road 206 over the Vršič pass, Slovenia’s highest road pass, with 50 numbered hairpins, many of them cobbled. It was built during the First World War, and a small wooden Russian chapel on the north side recalls the prisoners of war who built it.

The south side of the pass descends into the Trenta valley along the Soča, an emerald river for rafting and kayaking, and for swimming if you can take the cold. Bovec, at the heart of the upper valley, is the main base for outdoor activities.

From Bovec, follow the Soča down via Kobarid and Tolmin, then cross to the Adriatic coast at Piran, a Venetian-style town on a narrow peninsula. The old town is car-free, so use the car park at the edge of town and the shuttle bus. Vršič is closed in winter and the tight bends are awkward for long motorhomes, and an e-vignette is required on Slovenian motorways for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.