Balkan Mountains Cycle

Cycling in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria

Discover small Balkan villages on our exciting cycling itinerary in Bulgaria

Cycling in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria

Discover small Balkan villages on our exciting cycling itinerary in Bulgaria

Balkan Mountains Cycle

Cycling in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria

24 Trips to Explore in 2024See the List

Duration

8 days

Activities

guided cycle

Accommodation

7 nights 3 star hotels and guesthouses

Meals

5 Dinners
7 Breakfasts

Price

$1190USD

Overview

Trip Code: UBX

Trip highlights

Cycling through the green landscapes of the Forebalkan and the Central Balkan National Park
Typical countryside scenery, villages and local everyday life of the Balkan mountains region
Visiting some of the most beautiful Bulgarian monasteries dating from 13-15th century
Spending time in the old capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom, Veliko Tarnovo
Visiting 2 unique architectural reserves with traditional old style houses and beautifully decorated churches
Time at the open air ethnographic museum, Etura

The Balkan Mountains are famous for lush green valleys, sheer cliffs and gentle rolling hills with sheep grazing peacefully in their pastures. Starting from the tiny village of Goliam Izvor there is enormous opportunity for unique cycling. Passing through the Central Balkan National Park, the narrow roads meander through valleys, forests and quaint villages that have not changed for centuries. Wooden carts pulled by horse or donkey are the norm and farmers still make hay with a pitchfork. Along the route you will visit several of the country's most significant and historic Orthodox monasteries. Many churches with ancient icons and colourful murals are scattered throughout the region. The final cycling stage ends in Veliko Tarnovo - one of the most charming Balkan towns and the former Bulgarian capital.

Trip Grading

moderate to challenging

More info about grading system

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Transfer from Sofia Airport to hotel

There will be an arranged meeting at Sofia Airport followed by a transfer to Sofia to your overnight hotel. Arrival briefing and dinner.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Transfer to Golyam Izvor, cycle to Ribaritsa via Glozhene Monastery (64 or 47km/40 or 30mi)

An early transfer brings us to Golyam Izvor village where we commence cycling. We start cycling towards the town of Teteven and take an optional detour to visit the Glozhene monastery. As we reach Teteven we can have a short stop for a walk and visit the local historic museum and church, or go for a short bike and hike to a nearby eco trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Later we continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where we stay for the night. Cycling distance: 48km/30mi; Ascent: 620m; Descent: 510m. Detour to Glozhen monastery - Distance: 16km/10mi; Ascent: 430m; Descent: 430m.

Meals: B,D

Day 3
Via Bogoi Pass to Shipkovo with mineral springs and Troyan Monastery (77km/48mi)

Today starts with a fairly challenging ascent from Ribaritsa village (630m / 2067ft) to the highest point for the day, Bogoi pass (1185m / 3888ft). From here the road leads you through the village of Shipkovo, where you can relax in the mineral water swimming pools, and on to the town of Troyan. After lunch in the town centre, visit the Oreshaka Pottery and Craft Exhibition nearby and the famous Troyan monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria and built in the Bulgarian Renaissance style. The road then weaves among the hills of the Central Fore-Balkan region to reach our accommodation for the night in Apriltsii village. Cycling: Ascent: 970m; Descent: 1060m

Meals: B,D

Day 4
Cycle to Gabrovo and the ethnographic museum at Etura (61km/38mi)

This morning you cycle from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. Enroute you will pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys. After an ascent followed by a pleasant downhill ride you will reach the town of Gabrovo and continue on to 'Etura', an open air ethnographic museum to Etura. We stay overnight in Etura. Cycling: Ascent: 700m; Descent: 800m.

Meals: B,D

Day 5
Cycle to Bozhentsi architectural reserve via Tryavna (58km/37mi)

Today you start cycling from Gabrovo. After an ascent followed by a descent, you arrive in the beautiful town of Tryavna, where you can have lunch and spend some time sightseeing. Ups and downs through open terrain will lead you to the final stop for today, Bozhentsi, an architectural reserve of some 100 houses from the Bulgarian National Revival period. Cycling: Ascent: 1010m; Descent: 1000m

Meals: B,D

Day 6
Transfer to Dryanovo Monastery, cycle to Elena (46km/29m)

Today starts with a transfer to the Dryanovo monastery in the morning. You then start cycling from the Yalovo village turn-off. Kilifarevo Monastery is nearby so you make a short stop here before continuing alongside the Iovkovtsi dam to the town of Elena, the final destination for today. The road today mostly passes through pastures, cultivated fields and shrubs on low-lying hills, typical of this part of the Fore-Balkan. Cycling: Ascent: 800m; Descent: 800m.

Meals: B,D

Day 7
Cycle to Arbanasi, visit Veliko Turnovo and transfer to Sofia (42km/26.5mi)

From Elena we continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi architectural reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivated lands, shrubby hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Turnovo. After some free time for rest and walks among the old houses of Arbanasi we have a lunch break and do a sightseeing tour in Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, drive to Sofia for overnight. Cycling: Ascent: 600m; Descent: 730m.

Meals: B

Day 8
Trip ends with transfer to airport

Group transfer to Sofia airport where the trip concludes.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

7 breakfasts - continental breakfasts are served and will often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee & juices
5 dinners – these usually consist of 2-3 courses using local ingredients. The meals may be taken at a local restaurant or in the hotel/guesthouse dining room
7 nights accommodation in family run hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with private facilities (possible shared facilities on day 3)
English speaking tour leader who also drives support vehicle
Rental of 24 speed mountain bike or 21 speed road touring bike with helmets & panniers (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
Transfers described in the itinerary including from/to Sofia airport
Detailed maps and route descriptions (per room booked)

What's not included

Travel to and from Sofia
Meals not listed as included, drinks
Travel insurance - mandatory
A supplement will apply if you book a single room
E-bike, supplement applies
Entrance fees and guided tours of monasteries and monuments enroute
Tips
Hotel taxes if applicable – payable directly to the hotel
Items of a personal nature

Bike information

24 Speed Mountain Bike

You can choose (depending on availability) between a mountain bike or a road touring bike. The mountain bike is a hardtail performance mountain bike “RAM” with road tyres, 24 gears and 80mm front suspension fork. Helmet and a pannier will also be provided. Please confirm which bike you would like at the time of booking.

21 Speed Road Bike

You can choose (depending on availability) between a mountain bike or a road touring bike. The road bike is a quality road touring bike “DRAG” with 21 gears, 28 inch rims and Shimano components. Helmet and a pannier will also be provided. Please confirm which bike you would like at the time of booking.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below.

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists.

Grading

moderate to challenging

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING – GRADE 4 The cycling distances range from 43 to 78km/27 to 48.5mi over undulating to mountainous terrain. We use mostly two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering (the latter usually not brand new!). The country roads are quite peaceful, sometimes without any cars. The road surface in these areas may be not very smooth at some stages. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good to excellent level of fitness. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate comfortably. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn whilst cycling.

Departure dates

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Priceper person from

$1190USD

Options & Supplements*

Electric Bike SupplementUSD$110
Single SupplementUSD$200

*Prices listed are per person

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