The Sleme peak and the meadow below make a perfect spot for a short hike and picnic. The trail is suitable for most ages, including children, offering a good balance of ease and adventure. From the peak and meadow, you are rewarded with fantastic views of the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park in all directions.
We have hiked here several times, both with and without children. On our most recent visit, it was just Irina and me, without my children.
Sleme peak
The Sleme peak is 1,911 meters high, offering panoramic views in all directions. You can see the entire Tamar Valley stretching north to south. At the southern end of the valley stands the peak Jalovec, while to the north the view extends toward Austria. To the southeast, the massive north wall of Mojstrovka dominates the landscape, and far to the east, the peaks Škrlatica and Dolkova Špica come into view.
The meadow below Sleme Peak is an ideal spot for a picnic while taking in the wonderful views.
How to Reach Sleme Peak
The best place to start the hike to the top of Sleme is from the Vršič Pass. The easiest way to reach the pass is by car. From Ljubljana, drive to Kranjska Gora and then head up toward the pass. From Kranjska Gora, it’s about 13 km of steep, winding road to reach the top of the pass.
For some time now, the number of cars allowed to park at the top of the pass has been limited, and parking is also paid. When driving up from Kranjska Gora, signs indicate whether there are available spaces.
The Hike
It takes a little over an hour to hike from the Vršič Pass to Sleme Peak. The trail starts at an altitude of 1,611 meters and climbs to the peak at 1,911 meters, a total ascent of 300 meters. The first part of the hike is steep until you reach a pass where the trail splits—keep to the right here. The left trail leads to the top of Mojstrovka via a climbing route. After the split, the trail is relatively flat, with only a minor climb near the end.
If you are reading this blog post in our app, select Hiking Directions in the top-right menu to view a map with the trail marked.
Other Things to Do
- Hiking - From the Vršič Pass and its surroundings, there are many hikes and trails to choose from. Several peaks rise around the pass, including Mojstrovka (2,332 m), Prisojnik (2,547 m), and Razor (2,601 m). We describe these peaks in our blog post about the Julian Alps.
- Bicycling - A very popular activity is cycling up to the Vršič Pass from Kranjska Gora. I have cycled this route twice myself: once when I was young, and again a few years ago when my ego wanted to see if I could still manage it. Bikes can be rented at several sports shops in Kranjska Gora.
Nearby Places
The area around Sleme Peak offers many other places worth visiting. Below are a few of the most interesting spots.
- Russian chapel - A Russian Orthodox chapel located along the road from Kranjska Gora to the Vršič Pass. It was built in 1915 to serve the religious needs of Russian prisoners of war who were constructing the road. In March 1916, about a hundred of the prisoners died in an avalanche. The chapel has since been dedicated in their memory.
- Mihas Hut - A cozy hut located along the road between Kranjska Gora and the Vršič Pass. It’s a great spot to stop for a cup of coffee and enjoy the views of the mountains across the Krnica Valley.
Places to Stay
Below are some places to stay overnight. Around the Vršič Pass, most accommodations are mountain huts. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and book a spot in advance, as the huts can fill up quickly—especially when the weather is nice.
- Erjavčeva Hut - Located just below the Vršič Pass on the Kranjska Gora side, the hut offers fantastic views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains, including Prisojnik, Škrlatica, and Dolkova Špica.
- Tičarjev Hut - An alpine hut located on the Vršič Pass.
- Milka Boutique Hotel - Milka is a high-end hotel and restaurant located next to Lake Jasna, just below the Vršič Pass.
- Chalet Sofija - Not far from Kranjska Gora, the exceptional Chalet Sofija is located on Srednji Vrh, offering beautiful views of the Julian Alps.
Places to Eat
Here are some options for dining and enjoying drinks near the Vršič Pass.
- Tičar Hut - After returning to the Vršič Pass from your hike to Sleme Peak, it’s lovely to stop at the hut for a drink and a bite to eat. They serve traditional Slovenian alpine cuisine.
- Erjavčeva Hut - This hut also serves traditional Slovenian alpine cuisine. Check their website for more information about the menu.
- Milka - A two-star Michelin restaurant next to Lake Jasna, just below the Vršič Pass, Milka focuses on modern and classic dishes made with ingredients sourced from the surrounding alpine environment. You can reserve a table on their website.
