Quick question. Heading to Hungary/Austria/Slovenia at the end of March. Around April 1-3 we want to travel to Slovenia and the Julian Alps. However, is this a bad idea? I've read a lot that the Vrsic pass is closed until May and is only open infrequently in April (weather permitting). At first I was thinking of taking the Grossglockner Apline Road (in Austria) down to Slovenia because it's views are supposed to be amazing, but I read that this road is always closed in April. Any opinions/personal experiences?
Posted by
Chicago/Rural WI
811 posts
It's all weather permitting, of course, but when we were based in Bled in March 2008 the weather was gorgeous (but the Vrsic Pass was still closed) so we drove from Bled, up through Velden (Austria), east past a big lake (Wörthersee? Or is that German for 'lake'?), and ended in Klagenfurt, Austria. The drive from Slovenia into Austria was spectacular, with mountain views and steep roads with switchbacks. I'd like to go back one day and drive the Pass, but this seemed to be a great alternative, as long as it wasn't snowing.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
543 posts
When we visited several years ago, the road through the Julian Alps (and Vrsic Pass) was closed in April because of snow, and then because of weather-related road repairs. By the time we arrived in Slovenia, the road had just opened. I remember checking with the Slovenian tourist agency to get the latest updates.