Day 1 starts with a clean break: out of Sofia and into the open Sofia Valley. Past Kostinbrod, the traffic softens, the road narrows and the Balkan Mountains begin to fill the view. Through Gintsi, the route climbs steadily until Petrohan Pass turns the day into a proper opening chapter: forest, bends, cooler air and long looks back. Then the road drops north. Via Barzia and the Berkovitsa Valley, you roll down towards Montana – tired legs, a wider mind and the first big travel day in the bag.
