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

Share this road

Road Details

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

Related Roads in europe

Roche de Miohard

Roche de Mio

🇫🇷 France

# Roche de Mio: France's Alpine Challenge Ready for an adrenaline rush? Roche de Mio towers at 2,716 meters (8,910 feet) in the Graian Alps, nestled in the Savoie department of southeastern France. This stunning peak sits within the Vanoise Massif, and the road up there? It's absolutely wild. Here's the real deal: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The route to the summit is gravel and rocky, with sections that'll have you gripping the wheel tight. The terrain is tippy and bumpy in places, and the ascent is seriously steep. You're looking at one of France's highest mountain roads, so elevation seekers, this one's for you. Fair warning though—only experienced off-roaders should attempt this. A 4x4 is non-negotiable, and if heights make you nervous, steer clear. The road is completely impassable from October through June due to snow, so summer is your only window. The conditions can be brutal too. After rain, the muddy track through the northern reaches of Vanoise National Park becomes treacherous. If unpaved alpine routes aren't your jam, do yourself a favor and skip this one. But if you're an adventurous driver who loves pushing boundaries? This is the kind of bucket-list road that'll stay with you forever.

A gravel road to Lac de Plan d'Amontmoderate

A gravel road to Lac de Plan d'Amont

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're winding your way up to Lac de Plan d'Amont, a stunning alpine lake chilling at over 6,800 feet in the French Alps. You're smack-dab in the Vanoise National Park, surrounded by insane mountain views. The D108 – aka Route des Barrages – is your path, and it's paved the whole way to the parking lot at the end. Heads up, though: the very last bit is paved but closed off to cars. This road's got some history – it was built back in the mid-20th century. And hold on tight because it's a climb! Some spots get pretty steep, pushing past an 11% grade.

Where is Collada de Montaner?extreme

Where is Collada de Montaner?

🇪🇸 Spain

Collada de Montaner is a total hidden gem in the Pyrenees, straddling the border between Spain and Andorra. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks; it's an off-roader's dream (or maybe nightmare, depending on your skill level). You're basically connecting the teeny-tiny Spanish enclave of Os de Civís with La Massana in Andorra. So, picture this: you're crawling along 5.9 kilometers (3.6 miles) of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss… or terror. We're talking natural earth and loose shale under your tires, the kind that turns into a mud pit with the slightest hint of rain. And trust me, mountain weather is *unpredictable.* You'll need a high-clearance 4x4, no question. Forget your fancy sports car. The numbers don't lie: you're gaining 571 meters of elevation. That's an average gradient of almost 10%, with sections that are *way* steeper. Get ready for ten seriously tight hairpin turns that'll test your steering and throttle control. And did I mention the views? Absolutely stunning. Just try not to focus on the fact that there are very few barriers between you and a seriously steep drop-off. Oh, and one more thing: good luck trying this anytime from October to June. This place is usually buried under snow. Even in summer, be prepared for sudden storms. It's an intense drive, so be honest with yourself about your skills. If you're not comfortable with tough mountain tracks, maybe skip this one and stick to the pavement. But if you're up for the challenge, Collada de Montaner is an experience you won't soon forget.

How to drive the unused road from Cancelli to Fossato di Vico?moderate

How to drive the unused road from Cancelli to Fossato di Vico?

🇮🇹 Italy

# Strada Cancelli-Fossato di Vico Ready for a real hidden gem? This quirky 9.6km stretch winds through the border between Umbria and Marche in central Italy, connecting the tiny town of Cancelli in Ancona Province (Marche) with the charming village of Fossato di Vico over in Perugia Province (Umbria). Here's the thing—while the road is technically paved, it's seen better days. We're talking crumbling asphalt mixed with cobblestone sections that'll rattle your teeth. Dense trees and vegetation have basically reclaimed the route, creating this wonderfully eerie tunnel of overgrown greenery that practically swallows the pavement. The road's packed with tight curves and dramatic hairpin turns, so the local speed limit caps out at 50 km/h (which honestly feels generous given the conditions). Oh, and keep your eyes peeled—rockslides are a legitimate concern here. The real story? This place is a true time capsule. It was largely abandoned after the modern Strada Statale 76 bypassed it, and now it's basically a ghost road. Sure, it's technically still open to traffic, but you'll be lucky to spot another vehicle. It's the kind of atmospheric drive that feels like stepping back into another era—perfect if you're craving an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Italian adventure.