Vršič pass - Slemenova špica - Vršič pass (06/2022)

Physical difficulty: 2/5
Technical difficulty: 2/5

Note #1: The start of this trail is at the Vršič pass in the Julian Alps. The drive up from the valley to Vršič is through a long and winding mountain road. It takes about 30 mins to reach Vršič. It's asphalted, but it's narrow, and traffic goes both ways. It's also full of bikers and cyclists. Drive slowly and carefully, and prepare mentally for the many bends ahead.

Note #2: Vršič is the starting point of many trails in the area, and usually quite crowded by cars, vans and bikers. However, the available parking area is quite large, it's free, and you should be able to find a spot somewhere.

Note #3: The ascent from Vršič to Intersection #2 is steep, and also there isn't much shade. In the summer months it can be taxing, so make sure to bring water. There aren't any streams for drinking water on the trail itself.

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From Vršič pass, depending where you've parked, there are a few possible starting points. They all connect to Intersection #2. We don't recommend to take this trail in reverse, because then after the descent from Slemenova špica, you will arrive at a steep incline over scree (an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope), which may also have leftover snowfall from the winter months. Hiking poles help immensely.

From Intersection #2, we followed the signs towards Mala Mojstrovka first over amazing alpine terrain. This part of the trail is a bit more technically demanding than the return path, so it's also visibly less crowded.

The trail is well-marked throughout, and offers plenty of viewpoints along the way. The larger base of Slemenova špica is wooded, so the ascent is not that difficult. The immediate base is a meadow (sort of) and a great place to rest.

The view from the peak offers a complete 360° panorama of peaks in Slovenia and Austria.

The return trail is not technically demanding, and it's also semi-wooded throughout. It's more accessible for families, so many take this same path to and from the peak.

If you finish this hike fast, you can connect it with other trails on the opposite sides of Vršič. There's quite a lot of choice for the adventurous hikers.