Soča Valley and Triglav National Park: The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary from Lake Bled
One of the best days I had in Slovenia was a road trip from Bled to the Soča Valley. The drive took me through some stunning scenery, including waterfalls, rivers, mountainscapes, and lakes. This blog post will go through the itinerary for this ultimate road trip from Lake Bled, including Soča Valley, Slap Peričnik, the Vršič Pass, and Zelenci Nature Reserve, plus all my best advice for making this road trip perfect.
Contents
Soča Valley Road Trip from Bled: Itinerary Overview
Stop 1: Slap Peričnik
Stop 2: Vršič Pass
Stop 3: Soča Valley and the Great Soča Gorge
Stop 4: Zelenci Nature Reserve
Preparing to Drive in Slovenia
Driving in Slovenia is actually very straightforward. The roads are in good condition, there is good signage, and other drivers are respectful of road rules.
Motorways have tolls, so if you are renting a car, make sure it has a motorway sticker included.
I would recommend downloading the map offline before you set off, as sometimes in the middle of the mountains service can be patchy and you will be glad you are connected.
Parking is generally readily available, but I recommend downloading the EasyPark app before you set off. This makes it very easy to pay for parking, including extending your parking or even finishing it early.
Stop 1: Slap Peričnik
The first stop on your road trip to Soča Valley from Bled is Slap Peričnik (Peričnik Waterfall). This is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Slovenia as you can walk behind it, which is such a cool experience. The waterfall is best visited in the morning when the sun is on it.
To get there, drive to Mojstrana and park at or near the Slovenian Alpine Museum. At the entrance to the museum parking lot, you will see a sign for the free shuttle that takes you to Slap Peričnik. In the summer, there are multiple options, including an electric van that does the route every 20 minutes or so. You are not permitted to drive through the barriers to the waterfall in a private vehicle, so taking the shuttle is the only option.
When you get to the bottom of the waterfall, you have a short but steep hike up to the first viewpoint. The hike takes about 5-10 minutes and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the waterfall. From there, you can walk behind it to the other side. You might get a little wet in the spray and water dripping off the rocks, but it adds to the very cool experience!
Stop 2: Vršič Pass
The next stop on your Soča Valley road trip from Bled is the Vršič Pass. You’ll drive past Lake Jasna on the way to the pass which is signposted and very busy, but I honestly don’t think it’s worth the stop. It is very built up, busy, and you’ll see many more beautiful places, including Zelenci Nature Reserve later on in this road trip.
Vršič Pass is a mountain pass that takes you up a winding road with some of the best scenery I’ve seen on a drive. There are lots of little parking spots on the side of the road where you can pull over and take pictures, so be prepared to stop.
The road itself has a lot of hairpin turns, so drive carefully. The pass is closed in the winter.
Stop 3: Soča Valley and the Great Soča Gorge
On the other side of the Vršič Pass, you will find yourself in Soča Valley. The valley region is a much larger area than you think. Navigate to the Great Soča Gorge, where you’ll find the most well-known area and site of the famous pictures. There is parking there, and you can then explore the area on foot, relax on the rocks, and even brave a swim in the freezing cold water! The blue of the water is incredible.
If you head higher up the valley there are many more gorgeous river spots where you can swim and it’s less busy. The parking you’ll find is on the side of the road or a little way off, so just be ready to stop if you see a space. There are no entrance fees for Soča Valley or the gorge, so you’ll just have to pay for parking if you go.
Stop 4: Zelenci Nature Reserve
On your way back to Bled, make your last stop of the road trip at Zelenci Nature Reserve. Parking here is free and there is no entrance fee either. Zelenci is the source of the Sava Dolinka River, and is a tiny lake spring with crystal clear water surrounded by trees and with mountains in the background. It was created by a natural phenomenon during the last ice age which means it is completely unique in Slovenia. Don’t overestimate the size - the lake is very small - but it’s in a beautiful setting and it’s unbelievably beautiful.
It’s an easy drive straight back to Bled from Zelenci to finish up your road trip.
Don’t skip this road trip on your trip to Slovenia, especially if you are staying in Bled. As always, take care of the places you visit and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)
All key pieces of information are correct from my own experience at the time of publication - always check details before you travel.
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