The Vršič Pass, the highest point on Slovenia’s road network at 1,611 m, owes its reputation to its 24 numbered hairpins carved into the Julian Alps and to a history marked by World War I, when Russian prisoners built the road under extreme conditions.
A climb with 24 numbered hairpins
From Kranjska Gora, the road climbs 12 km for 800 m of elevation gain, averaging around 6.7%, punctuated by 24 tight hairpins, each marked with a numbered stone that lets you track your progress. The scenery gradually rises toward spectacular limestone walls, including Mount Prisank and its famous natural window pierced through the rock, visible from several points on the climb.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset is still useful on the tightest hairpins. A small Russian Orthodox chapel, at the foot of the pass, is worth a stop: built in 1916 by Russian prisoners of war who were building the road, it commemorates roughly 300 of them who died in an avalanche during construction.
When to go
June to September, as the road stays closed by snow until late spring some years at this altitude. July and August offer the best conditions, with the option to descend toward Trenta and Bovec to reach the Soča Valley.
Good to know
Kranjska Gora, a well-equipped tourist resort, offers a wide choice of accommodation, with convenient access to the Soča Valley on the Bovec side for extending the stay to other Julian Alps classics.
