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The Vršič Pass (Slovene: Prelaz Vršič, Italian: Passo della Moistrocca, German: Werschetzpass) (el. 1611 m)[1] is a high mountain pass across the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. The road across the pass was built for military purposes, to supply the Isonzo front of World War I. Opened in late 1915, it was originally named after Archduke Eugen of Austria-Hungary. It is currently known as Ruska cesta 'Russian Road', renamed in July 2006 to honor the Russian prisoners of war that were forced to build it. The upper elevations of the road are rendered impassable by heavy snowfall during much of winter. The Vršič Pass (Slovene: Prelaz Vršič, Italian: Passo della Moistrocca, German: Werschetzpass) (el. 1611 m)[1] is a high mountain pass across the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. The road across the pass was built for military purposes, to supply the Isonzo front of World War I. Opened in late 1915, it was originally named after Archduke Eugen of Austria-Hungary. It is currently known as Ruska cesta 'Russian Road', renamed in July 2006 to honor the Russian prisoners of war that were forced to build it. The upper elevations of the road are rendered impassable by heavy snowfall during much of winter. The Vršič Pass Kugy Monument, Vršič Pass From Bovec a road leads north over the Vršič Pass to Kranjska Gora. The first part of the route follows the Soča River to Trenta, where there is an information centre for Triglav National Park. The marked Soča Trail allows you to visit the sites of interest in this part of the valley without having to walk on the road. One of these sites is the Alpinum Julijana, a botanical garden displaying both Alpine and Mediterranean flora. I found it a little disappointing, perhaps autumn is not the best time to visit. Just upstream from the garden a short detour leads to the Mlinarica Chute, where a tributary river emerges from a narrow gorge to join the Soča. Continuing northwards you will reach the monument to Julius Kugy, a climber who helped to draw attention to the beauty of this part of the alps. Near the statue a track heads northwest to the source of the Soča (Izvir Soče), where the stream emerges from a cave and immediately hurls itself over a waterfall. The last part of the trail is quite tricky if the rocks are wet after recent rain. After Trenta the serious climbing starts; 50 hairpin bends later you arrive at the summit of the Vršič Pass (1611) where you can enjoy wonderful views. Or not, as the case may be: all I could see was thick cloud. If you have both suitable equipment and suitable weather, a number of high-level hikes start from the Tičarjev Dom mountain hut at the pass. The road continues down another 50 or so switchbacks to Kranjska Gora. Top Practicalities It is quite possible to enjoy a visit to the Soča Valley without a car, but it requires a bit more planning than other parts of Slovenia. Several daily buses run along the valley from Bovec to Kobarid (40 mins) and Tolmin (1.5 hours), from where you can continue by bus to Ljubljana or the train station at Most na Soči. At least one daily bus goes all the way from Bovec to Ljubljana (4 hours). From November to April the road over the Vršič Pass is closed to all traffic. Bus services over the pass from Bovec to Kranjska Gora via Trenta vary depending on the season. Very roughly, in July and August you should have no trouble doing the trip by bus on any day, while in May-June and September-October you may find a bus running on Saturdays and Sundays. At these times the schedules make it easier to do a day trip from Kranjska Gora to Trenta or Bovec than vice versa. Good walking/tourist maps of the area are available locally and in Ljubljana bookshops. The 1:25000 "Bovec z okolico" map is particularly useful - it shows six numbered walking trails and five bike trails around Bovec, and points of natural and historical interest are clearly marked.