We are considering driving from Bled to Kobarid via the southern route, as shown in this article, in late September. https://www.kimkim.com/ab/lake-bled-to-kobarid#map I have concerns that it's a very twisty route through higher elevations, which I'm uncomfortable with. Just wondering if others have taken this route and if so, what your experience was. Thanks for any feedback!
Posted by
Southeast US
4093 posts
Another option is the Motorail, which is what I did when traveling in the opposite direction on a 2019 trip. Drive you car up onto a flatbed railway car and sit in your car as the train takes you through the mountains (tunnels) instead of over the mountains.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
The Motorail sounds delightful, however, their website says it stops operating as of September 4. Otherwise this would be a fantastic alternative!
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
I drove it a different way than either: via the Vrsic Pass, which takes you up many twists and turns - 50 hairpin turns (detailed in the Rick Steves Croatia/Slovenia book). Driving this road is definitely a highlight of any trip to this region. Some of the scenery is breathtaking, and if you aren't too early for fall colors in late September, it may be even nicer.
https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/blog/driving-the-vrsic-pass-slovenia
The roads are good. I don't recall anything that seemed dangerous to drive - you aren't driving along cliffs with no guardrails or anything. Some of the roads are narrow - just take it easy, take your time.
Posted by
Southeast US
4093 posts
The Motorail runs year round. From the website:
Timetables
The timetables are valid from 12th December 2021.
The only thing I see regarding Sept 4 is...
Motorail trains no. 860 and 861 run between 2 April and 4 September.
So... the late train in each direction only runs 2 April through 4 September. The other trains run year round.
Posted by
540 posts
The roads may be twisty, but they are very good and plenty wide. I never felt exposed to any drops. It was a great drive and I’d say the museum in Kobarid is one of my all time favorites
Posted by
89 posts
We just came back from Slovenia. We stayed in Bled and drove to lake Bohinj a couple of times. That part of the drive is absolutely fine. We didn’t go to Kobarid so can’t tell you about that part of the drive. We did however take early motorrail train from Bohinjska Bistrica to Most na Soci. That to us, was a great experience 😊. We also drove the Vrsic pas from Kransjka Gora to Bovec and drove back from Bovec via Tarvisio to Kransjka Gora. Absolutely beautiful. It is a road with a lot of twist and turns but we never felt unsafe.
Posted by
Southeast US
4093 posts
Yay! Someone else took the Motorail. Glad it was a great experience... I thought it was great, too.