Time for a new challenge in beautiful Carinthia starts for you at the Tannenheim guest house in Faak am See in an environment that radiates nothing but peace and friendliness and lets you forget all your stress.
I have enriched this route, which I have driven before, with extra special places that you should absolutely not miss in this enchanting environment. This route is definitely recommended because the focus is on breathtaking viewpoints.

But let's go for a ride. Just outside Faak am See you will see the Harley monument looming in the middle of the roundabout, which is also your last photo opportunity before you end this tour.
As soon as you turn right at the roundabout and head west, you immediately notice that the traffic calms down.
Via the characteristic Austrian towns of Finkenstein am Faaker See, Fürnitz and Arnoldstein, you drive through the 'Austrian Riviera', the area in the southernmost part of the Carnic Alps that owes its name to its Mediterranean climate and the attractive atmosphere that is comparable with that of the Italian Riviera.

Not long after you pass through this area you will come into view of Italy. Caccau Valico is where Italy greets you.
If you search for this location on Google Streetview, you will notice that another border crossing is shown. So don't let these photos influence you here.

Via this border crossing you follow the contours of the Italian Alps, through the beautiful valley 'Val Canale' to the 'Lago del Predel' where you have a view of high and imposing mountains along the way. Some of them even reach above 3000m.
Once you have left the 'Lago del Predel' behind you, you will follow a few hairpin bends and enter Serbia via the 'Predil Pass'. A pass that, thanks to its strategic location in Roman times, was an important point on the trade route between Rome and the north.

The Italian Alps also give way to the Julian Alps. This mountain area is named after Julius Caesar, who conquered the area 49 years BC. conquered. Today the Julian Alps are a major attraction for many tourists and offer opportunities for hiking, skiing, motorcycling and climbing.
A few kilometers further on you will cross Fort Predel, located at an altitude of 1156 meters. Crossing may sound strange, but that is because the fort is located on both the left and right of the road and you get the impression that you are driving through the fort.
Fort Predel was one of six Carinthian fortresses and dates back to the time of Napoleon. Later, this fort was destroyed several times during wars, and was always restored to the same place. For a long time it served as a military base and storage depot, but since 1994 the fort has been a museum dedicated to the time of the First World War.


After about 1 km you turn left towards your first beautiful sight: the 'Mangart Saddle'.
This attraction is located on the border between Slovenia and Italy. Geographically, it is located in the middle of the mountain ranges of the Karawanks and the Julian Alps.
The Mangart saddle or Mangart Pass is a mountain pass that takes you to an altitude of 2679 meters. This pass was built in 1938 by the Italians. This mountain pass consists of a single-lane road that leads you up and down. In addition, this mountain pass has many hairpin bends. So keep your speed because the abyss is very deep. But before you can climb the road to the top, you have to buy a ticket.
Once at the top you can enjoy many panoramic views towards Slovenia and Italy.
This is a place where you can unleash your inner photographer and take beautiful photos..
Here you will find beautiful landscapes full of life, with an abundance of plants and animals that together create a perfect picture.

If you drive down the same road again, you can look forward to the next stop where a well-deserved cup of coffee is waiting for you. But before that happens, follow the road past Koritnica, which flows through the beautiful Soča valley.
The Koritnica River rises in the Julian Alps and flows through a picturesque landscape of mountains and forests before joining the Soča River. The views from the road are a real feast for the eyes.
Just above Bovec you turn off at the town of 'Kal Koritnica' and partly follow the 138 km long Soca river, known for its crystal clear and turquoise water. At 'Pri Kumercih' you start your 25km journey towards your coffee stop at 'Dom Dr. Klementa Juga'. This mountain hut is popular as a simple restaurant, rest area and stopping place for hikers and mountain climbers.
This location owes its name to a famous Slovenian mountaineer and writer named Dr. Kelent Juga. This lodge long served as a military facility but was converted to its current state in 1985. Here too, the views of the surrounding area are a feast for the eyes and a suitable place to pick up your camera again. If you want to explore even more of the area, you could also consider a walk to the source of the nearby Lepenjica River.

After your coffee stop, you drive back down the same road towards the Soča River. At the T-junction around the corner it is time to park your vehicle and enjoy the serene beauty of the 'Velika Korita Soče' (Great Soča Gorge) gorge, known for its spectacular cliffs. This landmark attracts hikers and other tourists from all over the world.
The gorge was created because over time the Soča River, which has its origins in the Triglav National Park, has carved out a 14 km long gorge through erosion in the rocks. At some points the spectacular cliffs are up to 200 meters deep. The steep walls are covered with trees, plants and flowers. Clearly, this gorge is one of the many famous sights that Slovenia has to offer. Right next to the gorge you can take a walk along hiking trails where you can't miss taking a photo along the water.
I have to make a small comment here! Roadside parking near the gorge is limited and narrow. So drive carefully and be alert!

After this visit, you will follow the Soča River to the village of Trenta, where you will start the 21 kilometer long road with 50 hairpin bends over the Vršič Pass towards Kranjska Gora. This road was built long ago by Russian prisoners of war and stretches from Kranjska Gora to the Soča Valley. Each bend is numbered and the numbering starts at Kranjska Gora and ends at Trenta. That is why you will find bend number 50 on the signs at Trenta.
Along the way you will be treated to the most beautiful views of the mountains of the Slovenian Alps. The spectacular climb culminates at the Vršič Pass, but to get there you first have to climb 26 hairpin bends. This pass is the third sight of today.
Upon arrival at the Vršič Pass there will be a combined stop, where you will not only enjoy your lunch, but also visit the Vršič Pass viewpoint.
Your lunch stop is planned at the nearby restaurant 'Tičarjev dom', which offers a limited menu of simple, yet tasty dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients.

Have you finished eating? Then take the time to explore the area and walk to the viewpoint where the mountains offer you a breathtaking view. At the viewpoint you also have the chance to buy a nice souvenir of this place in the souvenir shop.
You will notice that the Alpine marmot is very popular here because of the wide range in the store. Alpine marmots live here in burrows and are common on this Vršič pass. Just take a good look around, you might see some! Once again, it is advisable to have your camera ready.
After the lunch stop you drive via 24 downward hairpin bends towards Kranjska Gora. But first, after a few hundred meters you arrive at the Vršič Pass. Unlike the hairpin bends on the way to the top, these 24 downward bends are all paved with bricks. This is because pavers offer more grip than asphalt, especially in wet and winter conditions.
Just before hairpin bend 8 you will find a Russian Chapel, located in a place that you would normally drive past because this chapel is somewhat hidden in the forest. This chapel was built in 1916 in memory of the Russian prisoners of war who died during the construction of the pass during the First World War.
The chapel is a simple stone building with a wooden roof, equipped with a small altar and a number of icons of Russian saints. Around the chapel is a small cemetery where the Russian prisoners of war are buried. Due to its beautiful location and unique history, this place is a popular tourist destination. It is recommended to park your vehicle in the adjacent parking lot and walk to the chapel
Then you drive through the last hairpin bends, after which you finally arrive in Kranjska Gora. Once you arrive at the bottom, take the third exit at the roundabout and continue to the fuel stop, which is located along the main road just outside the village. Here you can refuel for your next ride.

From here it is only a short distance before you arrive at your penultimate stop: the Wurzenpass. This pass is located at an altitude of 1073 meters in the Karawanken mountain area and forms the connection between Radendorf and Kranjska Gora. Drive calmly here, because unlike Western European countries, customs checks are still carried out here. From the Wurzenpass it only goes downhill and there are no more major climbs.
Once you arrive at the bottom, the first part of the route leads you to Riegersdorf, after which you turn towards Techantsing. Then you make another loop via Alt-Finkenstein and then come into view of the Harley Monument again.

The monument in Finkenstein was designed and built by Roman Oman, a Slovenian sculptor and architect. It was unveiled in 2013 in honor of the 110th anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. It is a unique and striking work of art, made of steel and glass, in the shape of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, is 12 meters high and weighs 12 tons.
For many, it is a must to have your photo taken with this monument. That is why some extra time has been planned for you to take advantage of this opportunity.


Then follows the last part of the route. Turn right again and then pass under the railway.

I have some additional information for the avid motorcyclists.
If you go to this area in early September, you can enjoy an abundance of motorcycles, as Harley Davidson hosts the annual European Bike Week here. This event is the fourth largest Harley event in the world and lasts almost a week.
In addition to being popular among motorcyclists, it is also a lucrative time for the catering industry, where a lot of money is made.
During European Bike Week there is a one-way traffic rule on the ring road around Lake Faakersee. So you cannot turn left at the T-junction to your final destination. That is why I have come up with an alternative route for you, so that you can still drive back to the guest house via a short route.

Oh yes, if you plan to eat out, I want to let you know that there are several restaurants within walking distance of the guest house where you can get a good meal. From my own experience I can recommend Popolari and Kärntnerhof. On both occasions you can enjoy different dishes from the local cuisine, and it is always pleasant. Because of the crowds, it is wise to book in advance.