Where is Dzhanka Saddle?
Bulgaria, europe
7.6 km
2,346 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because Dzhanka Saddle in Bulgaria is calling your name! Perched way up high in the Rila Mountains, this pass tops out at a cool 2,346 meters (7,696 feet). That's seriously up there, making it one of Bulgaria's highest roads.
You'll find it snaking along the border between Sofia and Blagoevgrad provinces in the southwest, right in the heart of the Rila Mountains. Word on the street is there's a weather station chilling at the summit.
Now, for the nitty-gritty: the road is no joke! We're talking seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 12% in places. The climb from Shanovo to Kolena is just 7.6 kilometers long, but you'll gain a hefty 438 meters in elevation. Fair warning, this route is usually impassable in winter. Sadly, it's closed to private vehicles. But the views? Totally worth the trek!
Road Details
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,346 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardAlto de San Isidro
🇪🇸 Spain
# Alto de San Isidro: A Spanish Mountain Pass Worth the Drive Perched at 1,523 meters (4,996 feet) on the border between Asturias and Castile and Leon in northern Spain, Alto de San Isidro—also called Puerto de San Isidro—is a stunning mountain pass nestled within the Redes Natural Park. This is one of those climbs that'll get your heart pumping in the best way possible. The good news? The road is fully asphalted and genuinely well-maintained, thanks to it being the main route up to the local ski slopes. It's also plenty wide, making it feel relatively safe as you wind your way up. The climb does get serious though, with some sections hitting 11.4% gradient, so don't expect a casual cruise. You've got two solid options for tackling this pass. Coming from Cabañaquinta on the AS-253 road gives you the longer but more gradual approach—27km of climbing with 1,111 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 4.1%. If you're coming from Puebla de Lillo via LE-331, you're looking at a shorter 14.7km haul with 433 meters of elevation gain and a mellower 2.5% average gradient, though even this route has some spicy 8.7% sections. One heads-up: winters here get seriously cold, so come prepared if you're tackling this in the colder months. The silver lining is that the pass typically stays open year-round to keep ski access flowing. Pro cyclists have conquered this beauty too—it's been featured in the Spanish Vuelta. Ready to give it a go?
hardStrada Alpe Piora, a challenging road in the Swiss Alps
🇨🇠Switzerland
Strada Alpe Piora is one seriously intense road tucked away in the northern corner of Canton Ticino, Switzerland. This 8.4 km (5.21 miles) stretch of paved road starts just north of Quinto and climbs relentlessly through the stunning Piora Valley high in the Swiss Alps. Fair warning: it's not for the faint of heart. The road is so narrow that two cars literally cannot pass each other—you're committing to a white-knuckle drive that demands serious focus and skill. With grades hitting a brutal 24% at their steepest, your car's brakes are going to earn their paycheck. The payoff? Absolutely breathtaking views of Lago Ritom as you hug its northern shore on your ascent. The road terminates at a parking lot sitting 1,926m (6,318 feet) above sea level on the southern banks of Lago Cadagno, where panoramic alpine scenery rewards your nerve. Just keep in mind that cars and bikes are locked out from 9 AM to 5 PM, so plan your adventure accordingly. This is real Alpine driving—thrilling, beautiful, and definitely not something you'll forget anytime soon.
moderateIs the road through Kleidi Gorge paved?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Evrytania, Greece – they call it "the Greek Switzerland" for a reason! You’re heading down a 29-kilometer (18-mile) stretch of paved road running from Mikro Chorio to Domnista, right through the heart of Kleidi Gorge, which the Krikellopotamitis river carved out. Now, this isn't your average Sunday drive. This narrow road twists and turns and only has one lane in some spots! But here's the kicker: you’ll actually drive *under* a massive rock overhang, like the mountain's trying to swallow you whole! It’s mind-blowing. The view is insane. One side of the road is the river flowing through one of the most breathtaking landscapes and the other side is vertical rock. There’s pull-off for photos, but be careful, because there are signs about rock slides. All in all, it’s risky yet unforgettable. This road climbs into the Pindus mountains near Mount Tymfristos and makes for one memorable adventure.
hardWhere is Col du Noyer?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up for Col du Noyer, a seriously scenic mountain pass chilling at 1,664m (that's 5,459ft) in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. You'll find this gem in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, way down in southeastern France. Fun fact: there's a mountain refuge right at the top, built way back in 1858! The road, known as D17T, is smooth as butter, all nicely paved. They carved it out of an old mule path back in 1850, which used to be the main drag into Le Dévoluy. Trust me, the views are unreal – think rugged, dry ridges of Le Dévoluy on one side and the super green Drac Valley on the other. Word of warning, though: winter shuts this beauty down completely. Clocking in at 14.9 km (or 9.25 miles) from Le Dévoluy to Le Noyer, heading west to east, this pass is all about the twists and turns. Seriously, hairpin heaven! It’s a bit narrow, definitely remote, and has even starred in the Tour de France. So, you know it's legit.