A sensational road to Beklemeto Pass in the Balkan Mountains
Bulgaria, europe
48.4 km
35 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Beklemeto Pass in Bulgaria, a wild ride sitting way up high at 1,525 meters! You'll find it snaking along the Lovech and Plovdiv province line, right in the heart of the Balkan Mountains.
This is Road 35, a fully paved route also known as Troyan Pass that even follows the ancient Roman Via Trayana. It's a major artery connecting northern and southern Bulgaria, so expect some traffic.
Clocking in at about 48 kilometers between Karnare and Troyan, this pass throws down a serious driving gauntlet. Get ready for some steep climbs hitting gradients of over 11% and a dizzying collection of more than 30 hairpin turns!
The name Beklemeto hints at its history, with Turkish roots meaning 'guard'—likely a watchtower stood sentinel here long ago. Keep an eye out for the ski resort at the pass, perfect for a winter detour. And just east of the summit, a rugged, unpaved road leads to the Arch of Freedom, a massive 35-meter concrete monument celebrating Bulgarian liberation. Worth the bumpy side trip!
Where is it?
A sensational road to Beklemeto Pass in the Balkan Mountains is located in Bulgaria (europe). Coordinates: 42.8970, 25.4122
Road Details
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 35 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.8970, 25.4122
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Val Thorens Ski Resort?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Val Thorens, nestled high in the French Alps, specifically in the Savoie department, is calling your name! This ain't your average ski resort; it's the highest in Europe! Getting there is half the adventure. Picture this: you're in the Rhône-Alpes region, cruising towards the Vanoise massif, ready to tackle the legendary climb to Val Thorens. This isn't just any road trip; it's a leg of the iconic Tour de France! Starting in Moûtiers, get ready for roughly 37 km of winding, paved road that'll take you all the way up to a staggering 3,007 meters (9,865 feet) above sea level. The average gradient is around 7%, so get ready for a good workout! Now, a word of warning: this road is narrow with hairpin turns and bumps, with some sections lacking guardrails. But don't let that scare you away! The views are absolutely breathtaking, making every twist and turn worth it. Just take it slow, embrace the thrill, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardIs the road from Hayrangol to Cetinsu unpaved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just discovered this insane route in eastern Turkey, practically kissing the Iranian border in the Ağrı Province. Forget paved perfection; we're talking pure, unadulterated off-road bliss (or madness, depending on your perspective!). This bad boy stretches for about 13 kilometers (that’s roughly 8 miles), linking Hayrangöl and Çetinsu. The views? Epic! The road hits a lung-busting altitude of 2,627 meters (over 8,600 feet!). Be prepared for a wild ride; this road is totally unpaved, so 4x4 is basically mandatory. Oh, and a word of warning: if it's been raining or snowing, expect a mud bath of epic proportions. Basically, this isn't your grandma's Sunday drive, but the views are worth every bump and skid!
moderateWhere is Col de la Croix?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
is a high mountain pass at an elevation of above sea level, located in the Where is Col de la Croix? of the country. The pass summit itself consists only of a hill with a dirt parking lot small wooden gift shop How long is Col de la Croix? The road to the summit is fully pretty good condition Route du Col de la Croix Bex and Villars-sur-Ollon to Les Diablerets . The pass has been climbed by the How steep is Col de la Croix? long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is . The average percentage is long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is . The average percentage is Is Col de la Croix open in winter? Driving the enthralling unpaved road to Strassberger Fürggli in the Plessur Alps A scenic paved road to Wolfgang Pass in the Swiss Alps Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateShipka Pass
🌍 Bulgaria
# Shipka Pass: Bulgaria's Most Historic Mountain Drive Sitting pretty at 1,185 meters, Shipka Pass cuts right through the Balkan Mountains and connects the charming Rose Valley town of Kazanlak with Gabrovo up north. But here's what makes this route truly special – it's basically Bulgaria's Mount Rushmore moment. This is where some seriously intense battles went down during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, ultimately freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman control. Heavy stuff. The southern approach is genuinely thrilling, winding through lush beech and oak forests with a jaw-dropping 17 hairpin bends that'll keep you gripping the steering wheel. Just when you think you've conquered it all, you'll spot the Freedom Monument – a stunning 31.5-meter stone tower that's basically a giant tribute to the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who refused to budge when the Ottoman army showed up. Climb up here and you get these absolutely stunning vistas spreading out across the Rose Valley, where locals have been growing those famous damask roses and producing liquid gold (aka rose oil) for centuries. Once you head down the northern side through the Uzana recreation area, you'll understand why locals rave about this road. It's honestly one of Bulgaria's best drives – the kind of route that hits every note: dramatic peaks, incredible views, and enough history to keep you thinking about it for weeks.