Vršič (el. 1611 m) is a high mountain pass across the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia.
Its name derives from the diminutive form of the word “vrh,” Slovene for “peak;” its German name was Mojstrovka. The pass is the highest in Slovenia, as well as the highest in the Eastern Julian Alps. It connects Upper Carniola with the Trenta Valley, rising from Kranjska Gora in a series of 48 hairpin bends and traversing the high mountains on the Slovenian-Italian-Austrian border before descending into the Soča (Isonzo) valley.
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, or “Russian Road”, so renamed in July 2006 to honor the Russian prisoners of war who had been forced to build it. The upper elevations of the road are rendered impassable by heavy snowfall during much of winter.
Vršič is considered an excellent starting point for excursions to surrounding peaks, including Mala Mojstrovka (2332m), Velika Mojstrovka (2366m), Planja (2453m), Prisojnik (Prisank) (2547 m), Razor (2601 m), Šitna glava (2087 m), Slemenova Špica (1911 mnm), Sovna glava (1750 mnm), Suhi vrh (2109 mnm), or shorter hikes in the immediate area.
Several mountain lodges are located near the pass: Erjavčeva koča (Erjavec’s Hut; 1515 m), Tičarjev dom (Birders’ Home; 1620 m), Mihov dom (Mike’s Home), Koča na Gozdu (Hut in the Forest; 1226 m), and Poštarska koča (Mailmen’ Hut; 1725 m).
Just off the main road at an altitude of around 1200 m, there is a remote Russian Orthodox chapel, built by the Russian POWs to commemorate their dead.
