The Ultimate Road Trip to Petrohan Pass in the Balkan Mountains
Petrohan Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.407m (4,616ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Montana and Sofia provinces, in Bulgaria.
Is Petrohan Pass in Bulgaria paved?
Set high in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), the road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Route 81. It’s the shortest route between Sofia and north-western Bulgaria (and from there Romania). Access to the pass is typically open all year round, but winter weather may cause restrictions and closures due to dangerous weather conditions.
How long is Petrohan Pass in the Balkan Mountains?
Tucked away in the northwestern part of the country, the pass is 41.2 km (25.60 miles) long running north-south from Barzia to Buchin Prohod.
The future of Petrohan Pass
Plans are in motion to enhance the Petrohan roadway with a tunnel. Attracted to this venture, Chinese investors are keen on constructing the tunnel beneath Petrohan while also broadening the current highway. This tunnel concept isn't new; it's been contemplated for years. The primary goal behind this project is to streamline journeys to North-Western Bulgaria and reduce the route to Romania. Specifically, this development would cut a significant 70 km off the Lom-Sofia road.