A sensational road to Beklemeto Pass in the Balkan Mountains
Beklemeto Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,525m (5,003ft) above sea level, located in Bulgaria.
Where is Beklemeto Pass?
The pass is located on the boundary between Lovech and Plovdiv provinces in the northern-central part of the country.
Can you drive through Beklemeto Pass?
Situated high in the Balkan Mountains, the road to the summit, also known as Troyan Pass, is entirely paved. It’s called Road 35 and follows the old Roman Via Trayana (Trajan road). It is one of the main roads connecting northern and southern Bulgaria.
How long is the road to Beklemeto Pass?
The pass is 48.4 km (30.07 miles) long, running south-north from Karnare to Troyan.
How challenging is Beklemeto Pass?
The drive is quite challenging, with steep parts, reaching an 11.2% maximum gradient and featuring more than 30 hairpin turns.
Is Beklemeto Pass worth the drive?
The name of the region has Turkish origins and means 'guard'. A guarding tower was probably situated there in the past. The pass features a ski resort. To the east of the pass there is a 35m high concrete monument dedicated to the liberation struggle of the Bulgarians. It’s named the Arch of Freedom. It’s accessible by a narrow unpaved road.