Kalin Reservoir is one of the highest mountain roads of Bulgaria
Bulgaria, europe
18 km
2,398 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in Bulgaria's Kyustendil Province and craving a serious off-the-beaten-path experience, you NEED to check out Kalin Reservoir. We're talking about one of the highest roads in the whole country, clocking in at 2,398m (7,867ft) above sea level.
Nestled south of Karagyol Reservoir in southwest Bulgaria, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The 18km (11.18 miles) route, aptly named Road to Vintcheto, kicks off from the small mountain village of Pastra. Be warned: this baby is mostly concrete, and not the smooth kind! Expect a bumpy ride on this road, which is allegedly the highest concrete-paved road in the Balkans!
Road to Vintcheto boasts a whopping 28 hairpin turns with an average gradient of nine per cent (some parts even hit 20%!). A high-clearance vehicle is definitely your friend here. The summit, marked by a crumbling old building, sits even higher at 2.553m (8,375ft), but this section's usually snowed in from late October to early July. Built way back in the 40s, this climb offers breathtaking panoramic views on a clear day. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road... those switchbacks are intense!
Where is it?
Kalin Reservoir is one of the highest mountain roads of Bulgaria is located in Bulgaria (europe). Coordinates: 43.1109, 25.9153
Road Details
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,398 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 43.1109, 25.9153
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