Waddling the Vršič Pass ~ A Journey through Slovenia's Alpine Beauty ⋆ Lifeguin

Exploring Kranjska Gora And Waddling Up The Highest Mountain Pass in Slovenia

The Vršič Pass is one of Slovenia’s most scenic and historic hikes in the Julian Alps. It is at an elevation of 1,611 meters, making it the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, and the adventure begins even before you start the hike—on the famous road up to the pass, a winding marvel with 50 sharp hairpin bends that offer a thrilling ascent. Read on to learn about our adventure and prepare for yours.

After exploring Peričnik Waterfall early in the morning, we headed to Vršič Pass. We planned to do both in one day as they are relatively close by. And the adventure already starts on the way up 😅. The road leading up to Vršič Pass is as famous as the hike itself, which draws adventurers and road enthusiasts worldwide. Known as the Ruska cesta or “Russian Road,” it was constructed during World War I by Russian prisoners of war under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. What makes this road stand out is its 50 sharp hairpin bends, which zigzag dramatically up the side of the mountain, offering an exhilarating drive and unparalleled views at every turn.

Each curve is numbered, with the lower half (the first 24 curves) starting from Kranjska Gora and the upper half descending into the Soca Valley. Drivers and cyclists come to this road for its stunning alpine scenery and the challenge it presents—particularly for cyclists, as it’s considered one of Slovenia’s most challenging and scenic road climbs.

The road is steeped in history and a bit of mystery. The Russian Chapel, located between bends 8 and 9, is a solemn monument to the hundreds of Russian POWs who lost their lives during an avalanche while constructing the road.

It’s often compared to other famous European mountain passes, like Stelvio Pass in Italy.

By reaching the top, we already had a sense of accomplishment. The road isn’t just a route to the Vršič Pass hike—it’s an integral part of the adventure, not if you have a weak stomach.

Where to Park at Vršič Pass

As you reach the summit of the pass, after navigating the famous 50 hairpin bends, you’ll find a large parking area at the top, near the pass itself. This is the best spot to leave your car before starting your Waddle.

The parking lot is at the highest point of the Vršič Pass Road. It’s well-marked and offers plentiful vehicle space, even during the busy summer months. From here, the trailheads for various hikes, including those leading to nearby peaks like Prisank or Mala Mojstrovka, are easily accessible.

The parking is free of charge.

For those wanting to explore the Russian Chapel along the way, there’s a small parking area by the side of the road near bends 8 and 9, but the main parking at the pass summit is the best option for hikers ready to explore the area.

Make sure to arrive early, especially during peak season, as the parking lot can fill up quickly due to the popularity of the pass.

The Epic Viewpoint

You can find an epic viewpoint close to the parking lot, where many people simply come up via car, take pictures here, and go back down without doing any specific waddle. We saw many influencers here in lavish dresses, which you simply do not bring to a hike 😅. But the view is truly worth it. It offers a majestic overview of the Julian Alps and takes your breath away. It’s a great spot to have a cut of coffee or tea to get warm, especially in colder weather. You can also find a small souvenir shop here, and the spot also has an emergency landing for helicopters.

We had a cup of coffee and discussed whether we should go for a waddle as the weather worsened—lots of clouds and drizzle. But, as the weather never stopped us, we decided to go at least for a small one.

Our Waddle:

- Waddle duration: 23 minutes
- Distance: ~3 km (~1.8 miles)
- Route: red
- Map: link
- Things to see: Russian Road, old war bunkers, lots of sheep, view of Julian Alps

Our Waddle to the top of Vršič

With the weather changing any second, we decided to waddle up only to the top of Vršič. The waddle is a unique blend of natural beauty and history, and the cloudy weather made it mysterious and eerie.

The stone bunkers and shelters

As you waddle up toward the summit, we notice history unfolding about. We encountered a few stone bunkers and shelters scattered along the way, haunting reminders of the region’s wartime past, particularly during World War I. These stone structures were built as part of the Isonzo Front, a major theater of war where Austro-Hungarian and Italian forces fought numerous bloody battles from 1915 to 1917.

As you waddle along the trail, these stone bunkers blend into the rugged landscape, but their historical significance is impossible to ignore. Many of them were used to protect troops from harsh weather and artillery fire. Their thick stone walls are still visible today, though worn by time, with some partially hidden by the encroaching alpine vegetation. These bunkers provided shelter for soldiers during the brutal conditions of high-altitude warfare, where freezing temperatures, snowstorms, and avalanches were just as dangerous as the enemy. Today the shepherds use them to hide before the weather, and they are full of sheep poop.

Poštarski Dom na Vršiču

Perched near the summit of Vršič Pass, the Poštarski dom na Vršiču is a charming mountain hut that provides a welcoming rest stop for hikers and travelers. Located at an elevation of 1,688 meters, just a short distance from the main parking area, this hut is the perfect spot to relax, grab a bite to eat, and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Julian Alps.

The hut offers traditional Slovenian mountain fare, such as jota (a hearty bean and sauerkraut stew) and other local delicacies, making it a great place to refuel. It’s also a fantastic place to plan further hikes, as it serves as a starting point for several trails in the area, including those leading to the higher peaks and surrounding mountain passes. Also, do not forget to get your stamp here.

The Summit of Vršič

The trail offers a steady but moderate climb, with each step revealing a little more of the grandeur of the Julian Alps. Jagged peaks rise dramatically into the sky while the valley unfolds in lush greens below us, interspersed with flowing rivers and small villages that seem to belong in a fairytale. At the top, we stopped to take in the panoramic view, though the cloudy weather didn’t allow us to see much. Nevertheless, it made our summit more mystical.

If it is sunny, you can see the entire landscape stretching out—majestic peaks in all directions, with Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain, standing proudly in the distance.

What makes this hike truly special isn’t just the views, though they’re unforgettable. It’s the combination of natural beauty, history, and legend.

Locals tell the story of Ajdovska Deklica, a stone face carved by nature into the cliffs, who watches over the pass. She’s said to have once been a giantess who was turned to stone, cursed for her betrayal of a shepherd boy. If you squint and look up at the cliffs above, you can make out her features, frozen in time.