Welcome back, my fellow adventurers! Today we will head to the Vršič Pass, Slovenia’s most beautiful mountain pass. With its winding roads and soaring peaks, it is a hiker’s paradise, promising an unforgettable blend of adventure and tranquility. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a novice explorer, each stride through this enchanting pass will surprise you. Join me in discovering one of Slovenia’s hidden gems in the Julian Alps. Are you ready? Let’s put on our hiking shoes and get started.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS tHE VRSIC PASS ?
The Vršič Pass, with an elevation of 1611 metres, is Slovenia’s highest mountain pass and one of the best places you can visit if you are an avid hiker. It connects Kransjka Gora with the Soca Valley.
Vršič in Slovene literally means “little peak” but the name of the pass is actually due to Mount Vršič, located about 200 m east of the Vršič Pass. It is the starting point of many hiking routes to the surrounding peaks, some more challenging and some easier ones.
What Are The Best Hikes In The Vršič Pass?
There are many amazing hikes you can complete in this pass depending on your level of expertise hiking. However, my two personal favorites are Slemenova Špica and Vršič since they are not too difficult to complete and so rewarding in views.
- Slemenova Špica is the name of a wonderful grassy viewpoint, from which you will get 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks.
- Vršič, is a very easy loop trail that will grant you fantastic views of Mount Prisojnik.
HIKING IN THE VRSIC PASS - PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before I tell you about our wonderful experience hiking in the Vršič Pass, I would like to first share some practical information with you. What to expect about this part of Triglav National Park? What should you know before visiting? All you will have to worry about is having an amazing time!
How To Get There?
The trailhead for this hike is at the Vršič Pass (exact location on the map at the end of this blog) so all you have to do is get there and start walking. But how to do so?
The easiest way is to get there by car. This will allow you to have all the freedom you want with regards to the time you spend there. However, you should consider this if you decide to drive there.
- The Vršič Pass, as its name says, is a mountain pass so this means you will have to drive through a steep and with lots of 180-degree turns in the road. If you are not comfortable driving these kinds of roads, then please skip driving through here.
- There are two parking lots at the Vršič Pass but they do fill up quite fast during high season and weekends. So make sure you get up here early. I am not exaggerating, we arrived there at 8 am on a Saturday in August and the parking was full. We had to park at another parking almost 1km away down the road.
When Is The Best Time To Go?
You can only do this hike when the Vršič Pass is open. For safety reasons, the pass is closed during the winter months so it is only possible to get up there between April and October.
Equipment Needed
This hike is not very demanding and there were even some families with kids there when I visited. Nevertheless, if you want to make it a nice day activity, I recommend bringing the following:
- Proper hiking shoes. The trail goes through the mountains and at some point, you even have to scramble a little bit so shoes with a good grip are highly recommended. During the summer months, I always use my Altra Lone Peak 6 as they are super light and comfortable.
- A hat to protect you from the sun. The trail is mostly exposed all the time without much shadow. Make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. I always use my Buff Pink Cap.
- A reusable water bottle with plenty of water and snacks. Hydration while hiking is key and during the summer months even more. We always use this Klean Kanteen Water bottle.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SLOVENIA
- Book your flights with WayAway.com
- Book your car with Rentalcars.com
- Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
- Get reliable travel insurance.
- Find the best activities to do like with Get Your Guide.
- Don’t forget to pack your Airtag to always help you locate your checked-in baggage.
- Remember to bring with you your portable battery and Insta360 Flow to capture the best photos and videos.
HIKING TO SLEMENOVA SPICA
Hike Summary
- Trail Start/End: Vršič Pass
- Distance: 5 km
- Elevation Gain: 393 m
- Route Type: Linear Route (it can be done as a loop too)
- Estimated Time Needed: 3 hours (This includes plenty of time to rest and have a picnic at Slemenova Špica).
First Part Of The Hike: From Vršič PassTto Vratca Prelaz
The first part of the hike (pink line on the map at the end of this blog) is the most challenging part of the hike and, in my opinion, also the least interesting part. This section is quite steep and constantly going up on the eastern part of the Mojstrovka mountains.
It took us approximately 45 minutes to complete this ascent stopping every once in a while to catch our breath. The terrain was mostly gravel with some big rocks acting as stairs here and there. While going up, remember to turn around and enjoy the views a couple of times.
At the top, you will get the most scenic views of the Mojstrovka Mountains and Vratca Prelaz.
Second Part Of The Hike: From Vratca Prelaz To The Base Of Slemenova Špica
This second part of the hike (green line on the map) was my favorite part. The trail went slightly downhill for a little while and soon enough, we reached a fantastic viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see Italy and Austria. From this point onwards, the trail bordered the side of the mountain, offering constant views in between the trees. We were alone on the trail and it was so peaceful and relaxing.
Some parts of the trail were a bit more technical since we had to scramble over some huge rocks. It didn’t feel too complicated to us but you should keep this in mind if you suffer from fear of heights. We just took it slow, ensuring we had a good grip at all times.
Third Part Of The Hike: Summiting Slemenova Špica
At the end of this trail, you will start hiking uphill again to reach Slemenova Špica. Near the summit, there is a small meadow where you can have a picnic and regain your energy.
When we arrived, we saw that there was nobody at the summit, so we decided to reach it first to enjoy the views and take some nice photos before someone else arrived. The views up there were just fantastic! You can get 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks.
Once we had enjoyed Slemenova Špica, we found a nice spot in the shade to have some sandwiches before heading back. It was amazing there, with great views and a peaceful atmosphere.
Returning To Vršič Pass
To return to Vrsic Pass you can either undo your steps or make it a circular trail by hiking on the side of the Mojstrovka mountains (yellow trail on the map).
Since we had a long drive back after these hikes, we decided to not risk it and return through the same trail. However, after doing some research on the internet, it turns out the yellow trail is not too challenging either, it just adds some additional elevation gain and distance to your hike.
HIKING AROUND VRSIC MOUNTAIN
Hike Summary
- Trail Start/End: Vršič Pass
- Distance: 2.74 km
- Elevation Gain: 102 m
- Route Type: Circular Route
- Estimated Time Needed: 1.5 hours (This includes plenty of time to rest and have a picnic at Slemenova Špica).
Reaching The Pagan Girl Viewpoint
Back at the Vršič Pass, since it was still quite early, we decided to complete our hiking day with a second but shorter hike around Mount Vršič. The trail was well-paved and not very steep. Soon enough, we reached the first viewpoint of this hike. From here, with some imagination, you can see the face of the Pagan Girl in the rocks on the side of Prisank Mountain.
The Pagan Girl is Ajdovska Deklica. According to folklore, she was a warm-hearted giantess who lived in the mountains and would help mountaineers and people transporting goods find their way through snow blizzards over Vršič Pass to Trenta Valley.
She was also a fate deity and would visit mothers and foretell the destiny of their babies. One night, she had a prophecy of a baby being born that would grow to be a hunter and would kill Zlatorog, a god in the shape of a golden horned chamois, sell horns for money, and become incredibly rich.
Angry by her prophecy, the other maidens cursed her. When she returned to her home in the mountains, she turned into stone, where she remains gazing over the Trenta Valley.
Summitting Vršič
Once we were done admiring the view, we kept following the trail until we reached a mountain hut. Next to it, there was the trail that led to the summit of Vršič. This part of the trail was quite steep and slippery because of the gravel. It was so slippery that on the way down, I slipped and fell but thankfully only my pride was hurt…
The views from the top of Vršič were worth it though. We got to see the valley that leads to Kranjska Gora and all the Julian Alp peaks in front of you. It was just extraordinary!
Returning To The Parking Lot
After admiring the view it was time to return to the parking lot. We went back down to the mountain hut and kept following the trail until we reached the Vršič Pass again.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
And that’s it for my blog about the Vršič Pass. I hope you liked it and it encouraged you to visit this part of Slovenia. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy hiking!
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OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT SLOVENIA
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- EXPLORING MOSTNICA GORGE AND VOJE VALLEY
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- HIKING MOUNT VOGEL
- EXPLORING VINTGAR GORGE
- ONE WEEK ROAD TRIP ITINERARY IN SLOVENIA
- HIKING IN THE VRSIC PASS
- PLAN A ROAD TRIP IN SLOVENIA
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