
A Hairy Road to Monte Stol in the Slovenian Coastal Region
Slovenia, europe
11.5 km
1,385 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever heard of Monte Stol in Slovenia's Littoral region? This bad boy sits at 1,385m (4,543ft) and is a must-see. You'll find it way out west near Italy, and you can't miss the transmitter sticking out the top.
The road up? Buckle up, buttercup! It's 11.5 km (7.14 miles) of pure, unadulterated unpaved madness starting from Sedlo. We're talking 18 hairpin turns, super steep climbs, and some serious drop-offs that'll test your mettle. You'll be climbing 864m at an average gradient of 7.51%, so be sure your vehicle is ready for the challenge.
Normally, the road is open year-round, but Mother Nature sometimes throws a winter tantrum and shuts things down. Keep an eye on the forecast!
But oh, the views! Seriously stunning. At the summit, you'll find Planina Božca, a charming cattle farm. From there, you can soak in the Kanin, the Julian Alps, Krn, Matajur. On a clear day, you can even spot the Adriatic Sea and the Dolomites. Keep an eye out for a memorial to Joshua Goldstein on the way up, too. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience!
Where is it?
A Hairy Road to Monte Stol in the Slovenian Coastal Region is located in Slovenia (europe). Coordinates: 46.0526, 14.9516
Road Details
- Country
- Slovenia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,385 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.0526, 14.9516
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