On this incredible biking adventure you will be immersed into the heart of the gorgeous Rodopi Mountains, which provide excellent conditions for mountain biking. Plenty of off-road tracks are waiting to be discovered amidst the greenery of the land of the mythical musician and singer Orpheus who entranced people, animals and plants with his magical music. On this tour you will be able to cycle on different terrains, dirt, macadam, and isolated asphalt roads and paths. Also you will be riding through forests, along deep gorges, on ridges and hillsides. Remote tiny villages with unique architecture and natural phenomena will add even more flavour to the tour. As well as, meet hospitable people, and experience local traditions and customs.
The Rodopi Mountains with the highest peak Goliam Perelik at 2191 m a.s.l, are the southernmost mountains in Bulgaria. The mountains border with Greece and are known to be the widest massif in Bulgaria. Geologically they are the oldest land on the Balkans. This area is abundant with coniferous woods. The landscape is soft and oval. It also consists of rolling hills, high ridges and deep river valleys snaking alongside river basins. This massif is home to 70% of the world’s minerals, as well as 600 caves. A wide variety of plant and animal species can be found only here in Europe. The climate is mild and pleasant throughout the year with more than 275 sunny days. The summer temperatures are never too high, and the winter ones never to low.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and transfer to Plovdiv for overnight.
Day 2: Transfer deep into the mountains few kilometers after Studenets vacation area. Biking on dirt roads into the shades of a lush mixed forest until you reach the small Dobralak village. From there you ride on an isolated asphalt road until you reach the final point of today's cycling King Assen’s fortress built in the 11th-12th centuries. After visiting the fortress we go to the Bachkovo Monastery by car. Afterwards we will proceed to the overnight destination in the village of Brestnik at the foots of Rodopi Mountains.
Day 3: Transfer to Lilkovo village. The cycling runs within the countryside Hadzhiitsa and further up - Popova Rock. The village of Hvoina is the last stop with a visit to Persenk hut and the village of Orehovo on the way. Transfer to the town of Chepelare, where we stay overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to the rock phenomenon The Wonderful Bridges, then 1 km. further up to the Skalni mostove hut where the biking begins. Going further through old coniferous forest the track reaches Gluhite kamani (The Deaf Stones) nature phenomenon. At Izgrev hut you start a downhill biking to Zornitsa village all the way down to Chepelare. Transfer to the town of Smolyan for overnight.
Day 5: Having visited the beautiful Smolyan Lakes you are transferred a few kilometers uphill to the starting point where you leave the asphalt road and hit a gravel track. In a short while you get to Studenets hut and Pamporovo ski-resort. From there you bike uphill to the highest point for the day Mechi Peak area at 1850 m a.s.l. From this point on you will be able to experience breath-taking mountain landscapes. Then comes a pleasant downhill ride through Kukuvitsa village and ending in Shiroka Luka - village - an architectural reserve. Overnight in Shiroka Luka.
Day 6: Transfer to Gela village where the cycling starts. You pass by Lednitsata hut and then through the small typical Rodopi villages Kassaka and Mougla. Afterwards you hit the road which turns in macadam and starts climbing before reaching the ancient Chairski lakes. From the lakes a downhill track leads you to the marvelous Trigrad Gorge where you finish with cycling and visit The Devil's Throat Cave. Nearby is Trigrad village where we stay overnight.
Day 7: You do a loop on your bikes: Trigrad - Vodni Pad village - Trigrad. Then you continue with a downhill cycling to Yagodina Cave, situated within the Buinovsko Gorge. After visiting the cave you get on the supporting vehicle. On our way to Plovdiv we enjoy the superb views over the Vacha and Krichim dams. We stay overnight in the city of Plovdiv.
Day 8: After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
* Practical information: Road conditions.
We use dirt, macadam, isolated asphalt roads and paths. Asphalt roads are very isolated where cars are scarce, trucks and buses - an exception. Watch out for some bumpy parts on the dirt and macadam tracks.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Equipped mountain bike (without helmet!);
- Guide and driver with a supporting vehicle;
- Map, road book, transfer from/to the airport;
- Accommodation and boarding as mentioned above;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Tips, entrance fees;
- Alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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