Mangart Road in Slovenia’s Julian Alps makes a striking short mountain ride. The historic paved road runs for 12 kilometres, climbs 980 metres and passes through five tunnels cut into the rock. Its destination is Mangart Saddle at 2,055 metres, although the full road cannot currently be ridden.
Soča Valley’s visitor information says the road is passable only as far as the ninth kilometre or the parking area near the turn for the mountain hut. Beyond that point, traffic towards the saddle is prohibited for all vehicles because of a rockfall. Plan a motorcycle outing along the open section, turning around where permitted, rather than treating this as a through ride to the saddle.
The narrow bends and tunnels reward an unhurried pace and care around oncoming traffic. Access to mountain roads changes with the season and conditions, so check the latest restrictions before setting out. Even in its shortened form, the appeal is the road and the Alpine views, not reaching the highest point at any cost.