Most Scenic Roads in Slovenia
Nejc Martinčič
12/17/2024
The best way to get to know the country’s greatest jewels is most certainly traveling and exploring it with our campervan. Slovenia may be a small country, but you will be surprised by how much it has to offer. Stunning nature with a large number of breath-taking roads, beautiful views and tranquillity will make your Slovenian road trip a road trip you'll never forget.
To make your planning a bit easier, we've made a list of the four most picturesque roads in Slovenia:
Road by Soča river (Soča valley)
Vršič road
Mangart road
Solčavska panoramic road
Road by Soča River
Beware! Whenever you'll look out of your campervan window while driving alongside Soča river, an emerald river that swirls through some really scenic valleys, you will want to pull the brakes, step out and admire the views.
Pristine river in dramatic turquoise colours, lush forests and spectacular mountains literally make you feel like you are looking at a true piece of art, a painting.
Not only great for road tripping and driving, but the Soča river region is also a paradise for all outdoor and culinary lovers. You can:
cycle (there is a very nice semi-demanding biking trail that leads past the source of the Soča River to the valley of Zadnja Trenta)
raft or kayak on Soča river (you can easily book with us!)
take a short hike (our suggestion is Mt. Kolovrat, 1243m or Mt. Svinjak, 1653m)
discover the Great Soča gorge and jump into the freezing cold Soča
visit Kozjak waterfall (near Kobarid) and spectacular Boka waterfall (near Bovec)
spend some time in the Kobarid Museum (World War One)
eat a delicious meal
There’s something for everyone in Soča valley, no matter the season. Also, did you know that there was a scene for The Chronicles of Narnia (Prince Caspian edition) filmed in Soča valley? This valley really feels like a fairytale.
Vršič Road
Vršič pass is the highest road passage in Slovenia, connecting Kranjska Gora to Bovec. The mountain road from Kranjska Gora (810m) across Vršič (1611m) to Log v Trenti (620m) spans 24 kilometers and consists of 50 hairpin bends, 24 on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side of the pass.
The road is open on average seven months per year, in winter it is normally closed to all traffic (but you can still hike all the way up).
The road was built by Russian war prisoners, guarded by Austrian soldiers in World War One and there are still some remains of military hideouts alongside the road. Today the pass is a tourist spot that attracts great number of visitors from Slovenia and all over the world. Along the road (at hairpin turn #8 from Kranjska Gora side) you can see the Russian chapel that was built in memory of more than 300 Russian prisoners that died here because of an avalanche, you can also see a natural window made of rocks in the Prisank mountain and also an interesting creation made by nature - the stone face of a girl, named Ajda.
Vršič pass is also a starting point for a number of hiking trails in the area (Jalovec, Slemenova špica mountain, Mala Mojstrovka mountain ... ). Our favorite is a short 2-3h hike to Slemenova Špica, just look at 'them views'!
Besides locals and tourists, this pass is also adored by sheep (drive carefully!) and many cyclists. If you're into cycling, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to cycle this popular biking trail. Since a few years ago, the pass also hosts a Goni-Poni Red Bull competition, which is the gnarliest and most retro cycling competition in the world. It’s a great accomplishment for everyone who reaches the finish line, since Poni, the only bicycle allowed on this race, has no gears. Yes, no gears.
The views along Vršič Pass are nothing short of spectacular along the entire drive. Be sure to stop often, so the driver can also get a good look at the surrounding beauty.
Mangart Road
This beautiful mountain road, built in 1938, is located on the border between Italy and Slovenia, in the Julian Alps and is Slovenia’s highest lying road - 2055m. The drive on this steep, 12 kilometers long road with 5 tunnels to travel through in order to get to the end of the road (Mangart Saddle) is an experience you will never forget.
The road climbs up to the Mangart Saddle at a staggering 22% grade in places and is barely wide enough to be considered a one-lane road, let alone two, so take enough time, drive slowly and carefully.
At the top there is a nice mountain hut and a parking lot, you can walk through the flat part and enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery, or ascend Mt. Mangart (the third highest mountain in Slovenia, 2679m) if you're up for a more challenging hike with rewarding views (it only takes around 2h to reach the top).
In order to drive on this road, there is a fee of 5€ to be paid and this money goes toward fixing the road, as it gets destroyed by erosion and avalanches during harsh winter months.
You can visit the road from May until November (at the beginning of the road there’s a small parking lot and a sign that tells you whether the road is open or closed).
Solčavska Panoramic Road
Another Slovenian road that offers stunning views is located right in the arms of the Kamniško-Savinjske Alps. A lot of people say that driving on Solčavska panoramic road feels like falling in love for the first time, and it’s hard to disagree.
The road is 37 km long and you can walk, cycle or drive through it. No matter how you decide to explore the road, Krištov the shepherd boy takes you through 20 informative stops that reveal part of the story to you, as well as some fun tasks. If you get hungry or tired there are a lot of overnight accommodations and delicious restaurants where you'll get your strength back.
Solčava panoramic road offers four entry points: Village of Solčava, Logarska valley, Zgornje Sleme and from Pavličevo sedlo.
With so many beautiful roads it’s impossible to pick the most beautiful out of them all, but the drive-through any one of them is an experience of its own.