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Slovenia: Cycling: Jesenice - Predel - Mangartsko Sedlo - Tolmin

Nada and me decided to cycle from Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) to Primorska (Slovene Littoral) over Italy. On the way we also passed the Predel Pass and we ascended on the highest-lying Slovenian road, that took us up to 2055 m, to Mangart pass. From there we descended over Bovec and Kobarid to Tolmin.

 

First part of the road was wet, quick and almost all the time on cycling track, so without traffic.

 

Towards Predel pass on Italian side

Many battles were fought here in WWI (Soška Fronta - Isonzo Front) and in the remains of the fortress we found a Geocache.

 

Up for 11 kilometres, from elevation 1094 m to 2055 m

We did it. On top of  the highest Slovenian road, 2055 m.

 

On the edge of the saddle with Belopeška lakes behind (north of) us. Belopeška lakes (Fusine Lakes) are located in a glacial basin of the amphitheatre created by the limestone ridge of Kopa (Poldnik) - Mangart - Visoka Ponca. Two lakes Higher and Lower lakes are separated by moraine.

View to the South side of the Saddle

Mangartska koča mountain hut, where we had a quick drink

 

Picturesque former military road, that was built just in a few months in 1938 by Italian army, goes through several very dark tunnels.

Both ways, up and down, are enjoyable

Even the corners are smiling on the way down

Viaduct Predel is the largest arch bridge in the Alps. Dimensions: length 128 meters, width of 9.8 meters, arch span 86 meters and the length of the arc 94 meters.

The Emerald Beauty - Soča river near Tolmin

 

In Tolmin we came to an event called Puntarski dnevi (Days of Uprising)

 

Grega was our host in Prapetno, a village close to Tolmin. Tjaša also joined us later and we had a long evening with food and drinks.

 

Elevation, Speed and Temperature profiles recorded by Oregon 600

My longest tour this year, over 130 kilometres and more than 2000 elevation meters

Found Geocaches:
- Spet svobodni / Free again, GC2BR47
- Passo del Predil, GCWM5R
- Izginula cesta / Missing road, GC3WGB0
- Stop 'n' go, GC37ZJ6
- Most čez sočo #11 / Bridge over the Soča #11, GC3HJW1