Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Goljam Medarnik in the Rila Mountains

Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Goljam Medarnik in the Rila Mountains

Bulgaria, europe

Length

12.3 km

Elevation

2,541 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in Bulgaria's Sofia Province lies Goljam Medarnik, a seriously high mountain pass reaching a dizzying 2,541m (8,336ft)! It's one of the highest roads you'll find in Bulgaria.

Tucked away in the western part of the country, getting to the top is a wild ride on an unpaved road, sometimes called Ferdinand Road. This isn't your average Sunday drive; the rocky terrain demands a 4x4 beast!

Starting from the village of Govedartsi (conveniently located on road 6206), the climb stretches for 12.3 km (7.64 miles). Get ready for your vehicle to earn its keep, as you gain 1,372m in elevation with an average gradient of 11.15% - and some spots crank it up past 15%!

Perched high in the Rila Mountains, expect this road to be a no-go zone during the winter months thanks to heavy snow and ice. But when it’s clear? The views are absolutely killer!

Where is it?

Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Goljam Medarnik in the Rila Mountains is located in Bulgaria (europe). Coordinates: 41.8612, 26.0132

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Road Details

Country
Bulgaria
Continent
europe
Length
12.3 km
Max Elevation
2,541 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
41.8612, 26.0132

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