The Wurzen Pass (German: Wurzenpass, Slovene: Korensko sedlo) is a mountain pass that connects Kranjska Gora in Slovenia with Villach in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Though its elevation of 1,073 meters is relatively moderate, the road is very curvy and includes some steep ascents with a maximum grade of 18 percent.
Until the opening of the Karawanken Motorway Tunnel in 1991, the Wurzen Pass along with the eastern Loibl Pass was one of the main arteries for traffic from Austria and Germany to former Yugoslavia and the Balkans. When Slovenia joined the European Union in May of 2004, customs controls were removed from the border. As Slovenia entered the Schengen Area in 2007, passport controls with police checkpoints were consequently abolished in December of 2007.
Those who like a more winding road with nice views and want to avoid the Karawanken Tunnel toll (€7) can use Wurzen Pass to visit the attractions on the Austrian side, like Lake Faaker See and Villach’s Old Town Center.
View down at the Wurzen Pass from the west. (Image by David Edgar / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Wurzen Pass has been renovated a few years ago. (Image by Ljuba brank / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Austrian sign and border post at the Wurzen Pass. (Image by David Edgar / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Slovenian sign and border post at the Wurzen Pass. (Image by David Edgar / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Sign with the elevation of Wurzen Pass. (Image by Michielverbeek / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Location:
Wurzen Pass Address: Podkoren 52a, 4280 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Wurzen Pass Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.51666, 13.75000
Wurzen Pass GPS coordinates: 46° 31′ 0.4440” N 13° 44′ 57.5844” E
Traditional region: Upper Carniola (Slovene: Gorenjska)
Municipality: Kranjska Gora
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay to Wurzen Pass (drive 36 km, 38 minutes)
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to Wurzen Pass (drive 45 km, 40 minutes)
