If you’ve ever ridden or intend to ride the Shipka pass in Bulgaria the chances are it’s to get to the Buzludzha Monument. Dating back to ancient times the Shipka pass has always been an important connection between North and Central Bulgaria and has witnessed many bloody conflicts over the centuries. Today the Shipka Pass (Road 5 or E85) connects Gabrovo in the North with Kazanluk in the south. The Buzludzha Monument is connected to the Shipka pass via two side roads (5005) which can be accessed either form the North or South of the Pass. A word of warning though, if you take the Northern exit onto the 5005 you will find a road that has not been maintained for many years giving you a 12km bone shaking ride which could damage many a car or motorcycle that’s not suited to such road conditions. So better sticking with the Southern exit to the 5005 which is 16km of well maintained road used by most people, also this way you wont miss out on the twistiest section of the pass.

scenery - 7/10

The pass for the most of the journey carves itself through the forest, towards the higher altitudes and on a clear day you will be rewarded with fantastic vistas of all the surrounding areas. The famous UFO shaped Buzludzha Monument is perched on the highest point and looks like it landed there from another planet, visible from the Southern section of the pass one cant help but to ride up to it and see this imposing structure up close. Other interesting sights include the Monument of Freedom, Eagles Nest (not to be confused with the one in Germany) and ‘The Torches’.

Duration - 6/10

The Shipka pass is just under 50 km in total and you will need about an hour form start to finish. But it’s safe to say nobody would just ride past the iconic structure so allow yourself an additional 45 min of riding time to drive up to the Monument and back down to the Shipka pass again, the road upto the monument gives you an extra 10 or so hairpin, is lots of fun and is definitely worth it to see the Monument or at least for the amazing 360 views of the area. At the time of writing this there is no access to the inside of the monument so in reality you only need 10-20 minuets to walk up to and around the Buzludzha Monument from the car park.

ROAD CONDITIONS - 5/10

Overall very good, and if you are just riding the Shipka pass and accessing the Buzludzha Monument from the southern side road i would probably give it a 7/10 as the roads were in decent shape without any major pot holes or debris on the road. If like us you take the Northern side road to the Buzludzha Monument you would have a different experience altogether - that’s not to say it wasn’t fun! This 12km of Road was one of the worst sections of road we had ridden on our trip, the surface was warped and the giant potholes littered the way. An adventure bike like the GS embraced it and did exactly what it was designed for but I would really not venture down here on a sports bike or a car with low ground clearance as damage could be done.

amenities -8/10

Plenty of fueling options in Gabrovo and Kazanluk and as you would expect none on the actual mountain other than in Shipka itself so be sure to fill up before if you are running low. There are lots of Restaurants and Hotels dotted along the way so if you decide to stay in the area there are plenty to choose from, there’s even a handful at the foot of the Buzludzha Monument which could be perfect for any avid photographers wanting that sunset / sunrise photo.

exhilaration - 8/10

The Shipka Pass is fast, twisty and road conditions keep you alert. With various side roads providing that ‘road not used often’ sense of adventure but also well serviced alternatives. Ultimately the imposing superstructure of the Buzludzha Monument will create a feeling of exhilaration on any day, as you venture ever closer you really appreciate the size and experience this eerie foreboding statement from the past. The red star, the symbol for communism, glares over the valley from the top of its 70-meter-high tower. Indeed there are hundreds of abandoned communist memorials scattered all over the Balkans, but none hold quite as much intrigue as this place.

OVERALL - 7.6 / 10

In my opinion the Shipka Pass and the Buzludzha Monument are unmissable for anybody planning on touring through Bulgaria. Exciting roads, complex history and fantastic vistas will reward anyone who visits.

The iconic structure has become a very popular destination for Bikers and is a great place to meet fellow adventures. Even during the off season time we met a handful of people and shared our experiences of our travels, its always special meeting like minded people on the way.

My only disappointment was that it’s no longer possible to go inside the monument and view the mosaics as the interior has fallen into disrepair. Fortunately there is a group who are committed to preserving the interior in order to prevent any further damage and give the possibility of a future restoration to create a Museum. Whether it's restored or left to decay the intrigue of Bulgaria's UFO will continue to attract urban explorers for many years to come.

Sean