“Enjoy the Balkans gorgeous nature on a bike”
8 Day Guided Cycling Holiday in the Heart of Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria
Balkans, Bulgaria
Amazing Balkan Mountain Cycling Tour in Bulgaria
This is a golden opportunity to join an exciting cycling trip in the heart of the Balkan Mountains! You will bike in the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature, green valleys, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. You will start the trip in the tiny Goliam Izvor village, and pass through the Central Balkan National Park and end up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages, where traditional lifestyle has been preserved and it is not uncommon to see wooden carts pulled by a horse or donkey and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Terrain: Good isolated village asphalt roads with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), no off-road.
- Starts and ends in Sofia
- Total Distance: 206 miles / 331.5 kilometers
- Type of bike: Road bike (personal bike, rental is available)
Highlights
- Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary” - the 3rd largest in Bulgaria
- Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum, learning Bulgarian life in 18-19 century
- Bozhentsi village - 100 houses of an architectural reserve
- Veliko Turnovo - the old medieval capital of Bulgaria
- The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" in Troyan Town Centre
- Dryanovo monastery, a beautiful Orthodox monastery
- 7 nights accommodations with daily breakfast
- Complimentary airport transfers
6 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Bulgarian
Group size: 4-12 participants
Airport transfer included:
Sofia Airport
Accommodation
Accommodation will be provided in family-run hotels and guest houses - rooms with private facilities including breakfast.
Program
Day 1: Sofia
Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the designated hotel.
Day 2: Sofia - Goliam Izvor village - Ribaritsa village
An early-morning transfer brings you to Golyam Izvor village where the ride starts. You start cycling towards the town of Teteven. You will have an optional detour to the Glozhene monastery. After reaching Teteven, you will take a short break to explore the town and visit the local historical museum and church. Alternatively, you can opt for a short bike and hike tour to a nearby eco-trail. Afterwards, you continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where you will spend the night.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
- Cycling distance: 47.5 kilometres / 29.5 miles; Ascent: 620 metres; Descent: 510 metres.
- Detour to Glozhen monastery - Distance: 16 kilometres / 10 miles; Ascent: 430 metres; Descent: 430 metres.
Day 3: Ribaritsa village - Troyan monastery - Apriltsi
You start today's ride with an ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point of the day - Bogoi Pass (1185 metres a.s.l). From there, you continue cycling all the way down to the town of Troyan. You will pass through the village of Shipkovo, where you can take a refreshing bath in the mineral water swimming pools. After lunch in the Troyan town centre, you will visit the pottery and craft exhibition "Oreshaka" nearby and the famous Troyan monastery. You will spend the night in Apriltsii village.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
- Cycling distance: 77 kilometres / 48 miles; Ascent: 970 metres; Descent: 1060 metres.
Day 4: Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Etura - Gabrovo
After breakfast, you start cycling along isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. En route, you will pass by numerous small villages, green meadows and river valleys. The cycling starts with a moderate ascent, followed by a nice downhill ride before reaching the town of Gabrovo. After a short break in the town, you continue towards "Etura"- an open-air ethnographic museum. You can take a break here or add an additional 6 kilometres of cycling to the nearby Sokolski Monastery.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Cycling distance: 61 kilometres / 38 miles; Ascent: 700 metres; Descent: 800 metres.
Day 5: Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi
After breakfast, you start today's ride from Gabrovo. You begin with a short ascent, followed by a descent towards the town of Tryavna. There, you will take a short break for lunch and explore the charming old town. Afterwards, you are heading to the final stop for today - Bozhentsi architectural reserve.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
- Cycling distance: 58 kilometres / 36 miles; Ascent: 1010 metres; Descent: 1000 metres.
Day 6: Bozhentsi - Dryanovo monastery - Elena
A transfer in the morning brings you to the Dryanovo monastery. You will explore the beautiful Orthodox monastery and visit the cave nearby. Today's ride starts from the village of Yalovo towards the town of Elena, passing by several small villages and along the magnificent Iovkovtsi dam.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
- Cycling distance: 46 kilometres / 28.5 miles; Ascent: 800 metres; Descent: 800 metres.
Day 7: Elena - Arbanassi - Veliko Turnovo - Sofia
Starting from Elena, you continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. Today's landscape includes green meadows, vast pastures, cultivation lands, shrubby hills and finally the beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. You will take a short break for lunch in Arbanassi, before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo. There, you will do a sightseeing tour to learn more about the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Afternoon transfer to Sofia where you spend the last night.
- Meal included: Breakfast
- Cycling distance: 42 kilometres / 26 miles; Ascent: 600 metres; Descent: 730 metres.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
- Meal included: Breakfast
Important information
- Roads: the tour uses mainly isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), you will not go off-road. The traffic might be a little bit heavier in some sections but only for a short while.
- Guide/driver: The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and giving them talks by the most interesting sites en-route
- Dress code in monasteries and churches - men are not allowed to enter in shorts and women should not expose their legs and shoulders.
- If taking part in biking activities, each individual is responsible for him/herself and agrees to abide by the decisions and instructions given by the guide who reserves the right to change the itinerary according to weather conditions and the group’s abilities.
Location
The highlight of the tour that you can look forward to will be:
- Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary” - the 3rd largest in Bulgaria, built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance
- Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum - showcasing the Bulgarian customs, craftsmanship, architecture and way of life in the region during the Bulgarian National Revival period (18th-19th century)
- Bozhentsi village - an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival Period
- Veliko Turnovo - the old medieval capital of Bulgaria
Food
Daily breakfast at the accommodation and four dinners are included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 7 nights at family-run hotels and guest houses in rooms with private facilities
- 7 breakfasts + 4 dinners
- Supporting vehicle and English-speaking guide/driver
- Map and road notes in English
- Technical bike support
- Airport transfers on days 1 and 8 and all local transfers
What's not included
- Flight tickets
- Insurance
- Drinks and meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees
- Additional transfers
- Rent of bicycles
- Tips (5 EUR per person/day)
- Personal expenses
How to get there
Recommended Airports
SOF
Sofia Airport
214 km
Transfer included
Airport: Sofia Airport
Airport transfer included: Sofia Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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