It connects Smolyan Province in south central Bulgaria with Xanthi regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in northeastern Greece.

As one of three passes between the Rhodope highlands and the Aegean coast of Western Thrace, it links the upper valleys of the Chepinska reka to the north and the Kompsatos to the south.

The highest point of the pass is at 1,010 m (3,310 ft) above sea level on the Bulgarian-Greek border.

[2] In the 2020s, the roads from Rudozem and Dimario on either side of the pass were rebuilt to a modern standard and a new border checkpoint was established.

[5] The opening of the pass for traffic is expected to bolster tourism in the region, providing quick access between the Pamporovo ski resort near Smolyan and the Aegean beaches of Xanthi.