Where is Mangart Pass?

Okay, picture this: you're in Slovenia, near the Italian border, about to tackle what they say is the country's highest road – the Mangartsko sedlo!

This beauty is nestled in the Julian Alps, near Bovec, and climbs to a staggering 2,067m (6,781ft). Road 902, as it's known, is all paved, but hold on tight – it's seriously narrow, and some sections are crazy steep, like up to 23%! They even have a little ticket booth to mark the start of the adventure. Heads up, though: the very last bit past the parking lot is currently closed to cars.

The road clocks in at about 23.9km (14.85 miles) from Bovec, winding past the cute towns of Log Pod Mangartom and Strmec na Predelu before hitting the pass. At the top, there's a cool one-way loop (macadam), leading you to the absolute highest point, Mangart Saddle. The views? Unreal. Think Log Koritnica Valley (Slovenia) to the south and the Lakes of Fusine (Italy) to the north.

Now, let's talk about the drive. It's narrow, people! And there aren’t many barriers and a handful of unlit tunnels carved right into the rock. Nothing *too* sketchy, but you’ll need a good dose of confidence and car control. And if you're afraid of heights, maybe sit this one out. The drop-offs can be hundreds of meters, and sometimes there's nothing between you and the edge.

The road gains a whopping 1,630m in elevation, with an average gradient of 6.82% and peaks of 22%. Expect switchbacks, tunnels, hairpins galore! Just keep an eye out for oncoming traffic (it can get tight), and you'll be golden.

Word on the street is that this panoramic masterpiece was built back in 1938 by Italian soldiers (this area was part of Italy back then). They paved the last section in 2005. Typically, it's open from May to the end of November, but keep an eye on the weather – snow and avalanches can change things up. They don't call it "the most beautiful alpine road in Slovenia" for nothing!