The Mangart road is the highest road in Slovenia: it climbs to the Mangart Saddle (Mangartsko sedlo, 2,055 m), at the foot of the country's third-highest peak (2,679 m). In 2026, it has been open since mid-June, for a €10 eco-toll — but a rockslide restricts traffic to kilometre 9: the final stretch is on foot. I've been driving up here regularly for years, and I'll say it plainly: this is the finest balcony in the Julian Alps. Go early in the morning.
The short answer
- 2026 status: road open since mid-June, but only up to km 9 (car park) — the final section to the saddle is closed to vehicles because of a rockslide.
- The saddle is still reachable on foot via the trail that passes near the mountain hut (allow about 40 minutes from the car park).
- Eco-toll: €10 per vehicle (cars, motorbikes, buses up to 35 seats; trailers are prohibited).
- Season: June to November depending on snow — the road is closed all winter.
- ~12 km, 980 m of elevation gain, 5 tunnels carved into the rock from the Predil pass road, with a succession of tight hairpins.
- 90 vehicles maximum at any one time: an automatic barrier counts entries and closes when the car park is full.
- Mangart summit (2,679 m): reachable from the saddle via a very demanding cable-protected trail (~2 h up).
- Hut closed in 2026: the Koča na Mangrtskem sedlu is being renovated this summer — bring your own water and food.
A legendary road
In the far north-west of Slovenia, against the Italian border, Mount Mangart tops out at 2,679 m — barely 200 m lower than Triglav. The road up to its saddle was built in 1938 by the Italian army, at a time when the whole area was militarised. It branches off the Predil pass road above Log pod Mangartom and swallows 980 m of elevation gain in about twelve kilometres, through five tunnels carved straight into the rock, in the heart of Triglav National Park.
What impresses is not just the altitude. It's the setting: dizzying drops, raw tunnels where the bare rock shows through, the Fusine lakes glittering on the Italian side and the wild Koritnica valley on the Slovenian side. The Vršič road has its cobbled hairpins and its crowds; the Mangart has the void, the light and the silence. From Tolmin, where I live, it's my favourite climb when I want to gain some altitude in half a day.
Practical information for 2026
Here is the situation as verified for summer 2026. A rockslide still rules out the last section: vehicles stop at the km 9 car park, 400 m past the turn-off for the hut. Beyond that, the roadway is closed to everyone — cars, bikes and pedestrians alike — but the waymarked trail lets you reach the saddle and carry on towards the summit.
| Info | 2026 details |
|---|---|
| Access | From the Predil pass road, above Log pod Mangartom (15 min from Bovec) |
| Status | Open up to km 9 (car park); final section closed due to a rockslide |
| Toll | €10 eco-toll per vehicle, collected at the barrier |
| Season | June to November depending on snow; closed in winter. 2026 opening: mid-June |
| Length | ~12 km, 980 m of elevation gain, 5 unlit tunnels |
| Driving difficulty | Narrow, exposed road, tricky passing places; uphill traffic has priority; trailers prohibited |
| Shuttle | Public bus from Bovec and Log pod Mangartom in July–August |
My resident's tip: drive up before 9 am. The morning light on the rock faces is superb, you get through the tunnels without any stressful oncoming traffic, and you'll have the car park to yourself — the automatic barrier blocks access as soon as the 90 spaces are taken. In summer, head back down before mid-afternoon: storms build quickly on this side of the mountain. Before setting off, check the road's live status on promet.si, Slovenia's official traffic website.
The drive: what to expect
Let's be honest: this is not a road for everyone. The five tunnels are unlit, narrow, with an uneven road surface — switch your lights on and give a honk before entering when visibility is zero. Between the tunnels, the road is often too tight for two cars to pass: it's the descending driver who reverses, as uphill traffic has priority. Forget large motorhomes: beyond a compact van, you won't enjoy a metre of it, and trailers are prohibited in any case.
Going down is even more impressive — make sure you have VERY good brakes and use engine braking. And you're bound to meet a few lunatics doing the road by bike (they too stop at km 9 this season: the closed section is closed to everyone, cyclists included)! I wave to them every time: 980 m of climbing at that gradient, hats off. On a motorbike, on the other hand, it's pure joy: the ideal size for this road.
From the car park to the Mangart summit (2,679 m)
In 2026, the ascent comes in two stages. First, from the km 9 car park to the saddle: about 40 minutes of easy walking along the trail that passes near the hut (closed this summer for renovation — no food or drink available, bring water). The saddle, at 2,055 m, already offers an exceptional panorama: many visitors stop there, and it's a magnificent outing in itself.
Then, for seasoned hikers, the Slovenian route climbs from the saddle to the summit: 624 m of elevation gain, about 2 hours up, rated “very demanding” by Slovenian trail guides. Steep sections are equipped with cables and pitons, the exposure increases with altitude and a helmet is essential (rockfall is frequent). Proper mountain boots are non-negotiable — I've seen too many people attempt this in trainers. For the descent, the Italian route, slightly easier, lets you close the loop. Detailed route descriptions are on hribi.net, Slovenia's reference hiking site.
Up there, the 360° panorama takes in Triglav, the Jôf di Montasio on the Italian side, the Fusine lakes below and the entire border ridge of the Julian Alps. A snack at the top is mandatory — the climb works up an appetite! To plan your outing and pick the right level for you, have a look at our hiking guide to Slovenia.
Fitting the Mangart into your itinerary
The Mangart road pairs naturally with the Predil pass, since it branches off it: if you arrive from Italy via Tarvisio, you drive right past the junction. Coming back down, you're a quarter of an hour from Bovec and the Soča Valley — rafting in the morning, 2,000 m of altitude in the afternoon, that's the charm of this corner of Slovenia.
And if you're torn between the Mangart and the Vršič: since summer 2026, the Vršič pass has a new traffic scheme (no more parking at the top, shuttle buses). The Mangart — higher, wilder and far less busy — is my standard answer to travellers who want THE panoramic road without the crowds. Both earn their place on a one-week Slovenia itinerary, of which the Soča Valley is the most spectacular stop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest road in Slovenia?
The Mangart road is the highest road in Slovenia: it climbs to the Mangart Saddle (Mangartsko sedlo) at 2,055 m. In 2026, vehicles stop at the km 9 car park because of a rockslide; the saddle is reached on foot in about 40 minutes.
How much is the Mangart road toll in 2026?
Access to the Mangart road costs €10 per vehicle in 2026. This eco-toll, collected at the entrance barrier, funds the road's maintenance and the protection of the site, which lies within Triglav National Park. Cars, motorbikes and buses up to 35 seats are admitted; trailers are prohibited.
When is the Mangart road open?
The Mangart road is open from roughly June to November, depending on snow; it is closed all winter. In 2026 it opened in mid-June, but only up to km 9 (rockslide on the final section). Check the current status on promet.si before setting off.
Can you reach the Mangart summit without being a mountaineer?
Yes, provided you are sure-footed: the Slovenian route from the saddle (624 m of elevation gain, ~2 h) is a waymarked but very demanding trail with cable-protected sections, and a helmet is essential. Without mountain experience, stop at the saddle (2,055 m): the panorama there is already exceptional.
Is the Mangart road dangerous?
It calls for caution more than courage: narrow unlit tunnels, tricky passing places, sheer drops without guardrails in places. Uphill traffic has priority. With a normal-sized car, good brakes and calm driving, it's perfectly doable — just avoid large motorhomes.
Road status verified in early July 2026 (sources: promet.si, Slovenia's traffic information centre, and the Soča Valley tourist board). We will update this article if the final section reopens. All photos are my own, taken over the course of my climbs up the Mangart.
Patrick Faust
French expat in Slovenia since 2004. Founder of e-Slovénie, a Slovenia travel guide. Learn more →