Mangart Saddle

The Mangart road leaves the Predel valley and climbs the southern flank of Mangart to a saddle at just over two thousand metres, which makes it the highest road in the country. It was cut by the Italian army in the 1930s, when this was the frontier, and it runs through five tunnels and a series of galleries with the drop opening below. From the parking at the top the ridge routes onto Mangart itself begin, and the view runs across the Julian Alps into Italy.

What you actually see

• The road itself - the highest in Slovenia, cut by the Italian army in the 1930s.
• The tunnels and galleries - five tunnels and open galleries on the climb.
• The saddle - the parking at just over two thousand metres with the ridge routes above.
• The Julian panorama - Jalovec, Razor and the Italian side of the range.

When to go

July to September is the reliable window; the road is gated shut by snow for most of the year and can be closed by rockfall at any time. Cloud sits on the saddle often. Early morning gives the clearest views.

Honest expectations

The road is single track in places with unlit tunnels and no barrier over long drops, and it is not for nervous drivers or large vehicles. It is closed most of the year and closures happen at short notice. A toll is charged in season.

Nearby

Bovec is south, and Log pod Mangartom is below.