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 built in the 1930s, and it runs through five tunnels, seventeen hairpins and a series of galleries with the drop opening below; the summit of Mangart itself rises to 2,679 metres. 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'll find

• The road itself - the highest in Slovenia, built 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.

Practical notes

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.

Key facts