Stara Planina · Bulgaria
Shipka Pass
I-5Gabrovo to Kazanlak
The Shipka Pass carries the E85 over the Balkan range between Gabrovo and the Valley of Roses, climbing to 1,185 m through dense forest with sweeping summit panoramas.
From Gabrovo the road pitches south into the Bulgarka Nature Park, winding through beech and oak forest as it gains height. The summit plateau opens onto wide views north across the Fore-Balkans and south into the rose-growing Kazanlak valley, with a spur climbing to the concrete Buzludzha Monument. The southern descent to Kazanlak is longer and more gradual.
Scenery
Best seasons
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Shipka Pass on the map34.6 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 25Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%374.4 – 1,286.2 mPoints of interest3 stops
- General Mikhail Skobelev MonumentLandmark34 mi in
- Monument to Dimitar BlagoevLandmark29 mi in
- Buzludzha MonumentLandmark24 mi in
Hazards
- Winter snow and ice closures
- Chain requirement in winter
- Occasional surface deterioration
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources
“The views at the summit are magnificent and the route passes through the Valley of Roses, where most of the rose extract used to make perfumes comes from.”
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