Hike Kranjska Gora passing the Vršič pass on the Alpe Adria Trail

We stayed at Hotel Lipa in Kranjska Gora. A very good hotel with very good dinners and breakfasts. The hotel is right next to the bus station. The hike to Soča over the Vršič Pass took place over two days. After the first hike, we took the bus back to the hotel. The bus runs in the summer between Kranjska Gora and Bovec (https://kranjska-gora.si/en/go-with-bus/). The first third goes out of Kranjska Gora and along a road and then a stream, which we also had to cross. In our case, we found a place where someone put tree branches over, so we did not have to wade. Until here it is an easy and flat hike. Now we go up along a green summer meadow and start the climb of almost 800 meters in almost 7 km. We make our way through wooded slopes and paths. In some places, it is really steep and we sweat profusely. We pass a Russian chapel from the First World War. The route across the pass and down into the Soča Valley was a strategically important stage in the war after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. The Austrians used Russian prisoners of war to complete roads. About a hundred Russians and some guards died in an avalanche. Some survivors built this monument over their dead comrades. The rest of the way up to the pass is just uphill and struggling. Especially if you try to keep a higher pace. We then reach one of several huts that serve food and above all beer. When we quench our thirst, we continue uphill and pass The Pagan girl. A face is visible on the rock wall. Now we are above the dense forests and the views are fantastic. After a while, we reach the pass which is filled with visitors. Many people get there by car. Then it goes steeply down 800 meters through deep forests. This is also a demanding part down that wears on the knees. Good to use hiking poles. Finally, we make a detour to the source of the Soča river. There is also a hut that serves food and beverages. Here we gather new energy and take a break until the bus goes back to Kranjska Gora. The bus runs in summer about every two hours. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the bus stop. It is not marked without, we are waiting for a grass surface right where the road turns. When the bus arrives, we just wave.