Where is Beklemeto Pass?
Bulgaria, europe
48.4 km
35 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Beklemeto Pass in Bulgaria! This high-altitude gem sits at 1,525m (5,003ft) straddling the Lovech and Plovdiv provinces. Known as Troyan Pass, you'll find it smack-dab in the Balkan Mountains.
Road 35, a fully paved beauty that traces the ancient Roman Via Trayana, is your route. It's a key north-south connector in Bulgaria. This epic 48.4 km (30.07 miles) journey winds from Karnare to Troyan, packing a punch with seriously steep sections – up to 11.2% grade! Get ready to conquer over 30 hairpin turns.
The views are killer. The name "Beklemeto" hints at its past as a 'guarded' spot, likely with a watchtower back in the day. Up top, there's even a ski resort. And if you're feeling adventurous, a bumpy unpaved detour leads to a towering 35m concrete monument honoring Bulgarian liberation. You'll even be driving the highest road in the Balkan Mountains near the towering Botev Peak. Get your camera ready!
Road Details
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 35 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
easy3 Stunning Scottish Drives
🇬🇧 Scotland
Okay, picture this: Scotland! Wild landscapes, ancient castles, and a dram of whisky waiting at the end of the road. Ready for an epic drive? **The A82: Glasgow to Fort William** First up, escape Glasgow and hit the A82. This road was voted the UK's best for a reason! Get ready for jaw-dropping views of Loch Lomond, the UK's biggest lake. Depending on when you go, you might even catch the snowy peaks of Glencoe. **Glenelg to the Isle of Skye** This one's special. You'll hop on the last manually operated turntable ferry *in the world* from Glenelg to Kylerhea. The views across the Kylerhea straits are incredible. Once on Skye, go explore Dunvegan Castle and maybe grab a wee dram at the Talisker distillery. **Edinburgh to St Andrews** Start in beautiful Edinburgh then take a short trip to St Andrews, home of golf and one of the oldest universities around. The highlight? Cruising over the Queensferry Crossing, a seriously massive cable-stayed bridge. It's a modern marvel, and worth the detour just to experience it.
hardAn iconic road to Col du Grand Colombier in the western Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Grand Colombier Hidden in the Jura Mountains of eastern France, just north of the Alps, Col du Grand Colombier sits at a pretty impressive 1,501 meters (4,925 feet). This scenic pass is tucked away in the Ain department, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The fully paved D120 road stretches for 30 kilometers (19 miles) running north-south from Culoz, and honestly, you'll barely see another soul out here. The isolation is part of its charm. But here's the thing — this pass is *intense*. We're talking brutal 19% gradients in sections, with relentless hairpin turns that'll keep your hands gripped on the wheel. The toughest stretch? The infamous Lacets du Grand Colombier will test your driving (or cycling) skills big time. It's no wonder the Tour de France made this a Stage 10 feature back in 2012. Push through to the summit and you'll find a generous parking area with absolutely killer views. From up there, you can gaze across the Rhône valley, catch sight of Lac du Bourget, peer into the dramatic Val-de-Fier gorges, and on a clear day, see the distant Alps stretching across the horizon. Completely worth the white-knuckle drive.
hardLa Trapa, one of the gnarliest roads in Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# La Trapa: Mallorca's White-Knuckle Mountain Monastery Run Tucked away on Mallorca's dramatic southwestern coast, La Trapa is an abandoned monastery that'll test your driving skills—and your nerve. If heights make you queasy, you might want to keep your gaze firmly on that steering wheel. Nestled in Sant Josep valley on the slopes of the Tramuntana mountains, this remote monastery (abandoned way back in 1820) sits at the end of a seriously twisty gravel road. Fair warning: the route is genuinely challenging and definitely not for inexperienced drivers. Those vertiginous drop-offs along the way? Yeah, they're real. Also heads up—the road is gated off to private vehicles, though locals and authorized access still use it. Starting from the paved MA-1030, you're looking at a 4.8 km journey across Mallorca's rugged west coast. And honestly? It's absolutely stunning. The coastline unfolds beneath you, with Sa Dragonera island providing a postcard-perfect backdrop. The only catch? Some sections are genuinely tight—barely wide enough for two medium-sized cars to pass. You'll definitely want to feel confident with your reversing. The real challenge kicks in as the road climbs steeply toward Coll de ses Animes mountain pass (359m elevation). The first 4 km averages a brutal 10% gradient with hairpin turns that'll keep your hands locked on the wheel. This isn't a casual scenic drive—it's an adrenaline-fueled adventure for serious drivers only.
easyExploring the enchanting Castle Road between Germany and the Czech Republic
🇩🇪 Germany
# The Castle Road (Burgenstraße): Germany's Most Epic Scenic Drive Ready for a road trip that feels straight out of a storybook? The Castle Road (Burgenstraße) is calling your name. This legendary 1,200 km (745 miles) route stretches from Mannheim in southwestern Germany all the way to Prague, taking you on an unforgettable journey through fairytales and history. ## What Makes It Special This isn't just any drive—it's a castle lover's paradise. You'll pass more than 70 stunning castles dotting the landscape, along with iconic stops like Bamberg, Nuremberg, Bayreuth, Heidelberg, and the picture-perfect Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Each fortress tells its own story, complete with legends and architectural details that'll have you reaching for your camera constantly. ## The Route & Driving Experience The Castle Road winds through charming back roads (perfectly signed, thankfully!) that take you past dense forests, sparkling rivers, rolling hills, and adorable villages. It's a drive designed for slowing down and savoring every moment, not rushing through. ## How Long Will It Take? That depends entirely on you. The full drive is 1,200 km, but with so many castles and towns begging to be explored, most people spread this out over several days—and honestly, why wouldn't you? This is a trip meant for lingering. ## Who Should Drive It? Any regular car will handle this route just fine, though you'll want to take those winding village roads at a leisurely pace. It's perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, photography lovers, and anyone craving a deep dive into European culture and natural beauty.