The Julian Alps can be wild. Fierce. Demanding. But just above the hairpin turns of the Vršič Pass, they offer a gentler invitation—a path not meant to conquer, but to simply follow. That path leads to Slemenova Špica (1,909 m), a mountain that rises slowly from the alpine meadows and finishes in a painter’s dream of distant peaks, grassy slopes, and stillness.
This isn’t a technical climb or a race to the top. It’s a walk into the sky.
Starting High: Vršič Pass (1,611 m)
The trail begins already halfway to the clouds. Vršič Pass, Slovenia’s highest road pass, sits at 1,611 meters. It’s a place that feels like an alpine threshold—trees thin out, air grows cooler, and the sky starts feeling closer.
We parked near Erjavčeva Koča, a sturdy mountain hut just beneath the pass. While others buzzed past us, rushing towards Mojstrovka or buckling into their via ferrata gear, we took a moment. A sip of warm tea. A glance at Prisojnik’s rocky face. And then, slowly, we stepped onto the trail.
The Path to Vratca Saddle
From the pass, the route gently gains height. The signposts are clear: Slemenova Špica, 45 minutes. But don’t be misled—this isn’t a hike to be timed. It’s one to be absorbed.
The path is shared, at first, with those heading toward Hanzova Pot and Mala Mojstrovka. We wound our way under the rocky flanks of Šitna Glava and stopped often—not because we were tired, but because the landscape kept asking us to look.
As we neared Vratca Saddle (1,807 m), the Julian Alps revealed themselves in full. To our left, Prisojnik stood tall. Straight ahead, Jalovec pierced the sky. These are mountains that make you quiet.
Turning Toward the Grassy Summit
At the saddle, most hikers veer off—some tackling the exposed Hanzova Pot, others descending toward Tamar Valley. But we turned right, towards something softer.
The trail dipped slightly and then rose again, through flower-strewn meadows and low-growing pine. This is where Slemenova Špica begins to show its true nature—not as a challenge, but as an offering. A few small alpine ponds mirror the peaks around them. Horses sometimes graze here. Children chase butterflies. It’s the Alps as a lullaby.
We lingered. The pace slowed even more. At every bend, Jalovec dominated the skyline—a perfect, symmetrical pyramid rising out of the rock.
Reaching Slemenova Špica (1,909 m)
The final steps are gentle. A short push up a grassy slope, and suddenly, the world drops away.
Slemenova Špica isn’t a grand summit in the traditional sense. It doesn’t tower above its neighbours. But it offers something rarer: space. Perspective. A place to sit, breathe, and see everything.
From the top, we watched clouds drift across Škrlatica, Triglav far in the west, Mangart rising on the border. The Tamar Valley lay below, deep and shaded. To the north, Austria’s peaks lined the horizon.
There was no wind. No sound but the rustle of grass. The mountain didn’t ask us to climb harder or faster—it just asked us to stay a little longer.
The Descent: Retracing in Reverence
We returned the way we came, following the soft bends of the trail through the saddle and down to Vršič. It’s rare that the descent of a hike feels just as rich as the climb, but here, with light shifting across the slopes, it did.
On the way back, we passed families picnicking, a painter perched beside a pond, and a group of children counting larches. Everyone moved slowly. The mountain made it so.
Why Slemenova Špica Is More Than a Hike
This isn’t just a trail. It’s a pause in the heart of the Julian Alps.
Slemenova Špica shows that not every summit needs struggle. That beauty isn’t always found at the end of a rope or at the top of a steep climb. Sometimes, it’s in the quietest places—the ones where the trail is soft, the views are wide, and the heart feels full just standing still.
Trek Goat Tips for Slow Hikers
- Ideal for all levels: A perfect introduction to the Julian Alps. Great for beginners, children, and those seeking calm more than conquest.
- Best times: Late spring through early autumn. In summer, the meadows are filled with wildflowers; in autumn, the light turns golden.
- Gear: Hiking shoes are enough. In early spring or late fall, be prepared for snow patches.
- Time: Give yourself 2.5 to 3 hours round trip—more if you like to linger (and you should).
Route Summary
- Peak: Slemenova Špica (1,909 m)
- Starting point: Vršič Pass (1,611 m)
- Total duration: ~2.5–3 hours (including breaks)
- Ascent: ~300 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail type: Out-and-back
After the Trail
Back at the car, we didn’t rush off. There’s something about Slemenova Špica that makes you want to stretch the experience a little longer.
So we sat outside Erjavčeva Koča and shared a slow lunch—stew, bread, mountain cheese. We watched the peaks shift in the afternoon light. And we promised ourselves to return, not because we had to, but because we wanted to feel that stillness again.
Final Thought
Slemenova Špica isn’t a test of endurance. It’s a lesson in presence. A hike for those who want to breathe deeper, walk slower, and fall in love with the quiet majesty of Slovenia’s Julian Alps.