Cycling tours listing
Balkan mountains cycling tour (Bulgaria) 8 days
On this tour we bike along the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for their unspoiled nature, green valleys with sheep peacefully grazing on lush grass, precipitous cliffs and gentle, rolling hills offering plenty of unique biking opportunities. We start the trip from the tiny Goliam Izvor village, passing by the Central Balkan National Park and ending up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming Bulgarian towns. The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages that look as they have been untouched for the past 200 years. You’ll see wooden carts pulled by a horse or donkey and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way. During the trip you will visit several of Bulgaria's most important Orthodox monasteries, situated in the dales or woods. Churches with centuries-old icons and colourful murals are spread across a wide range of villages and small towns.
Tour highlights:
• Beautiful green landscapes of the Forebalkan and National park “Central Balkan
• Typical countryside sceneries, villages and local everyday life of the Balkan mountains region
• 7 of the most beautiful Bulgarian monasteries dating back from 13-15th century
• 2 unique architectural reserves with traditional old style houses and beautifully decorated churches and the marvelous open air ethnographic museum Etara
• The old capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom - Veliko Tarnovo
Guaranteed departure dates for 2009:
Every day from April to September (Other dates also possible if the requirement for min group size is fulfilled)
Itinerary
Every day from April to September (Other dates also possible if the requirement for min group size is fulfilled)
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and transfer to the village of Goliam Izvor
(about 1 hr from Sofia; or 3 hrs from Plovdiv), where we stay overnight.
Day 2. Today's cycling starts in Goliam Izvor village, heading to Yablanitsa town (the most famous place for producing different kinds of “khalva” in Bulgaria) and then continue to Malak Izvor village. From this point a steep road 4 km long leads you to the Glozhene Monastery Having visited the monastery you go back downhill to Malak Izvor village and continue to Ribaritsa village via the town of Teteven, where we can have lunch and spend some time on sightseeing. The road is idle, passing through woody hilly areas, varied by meadows and pastures. We stay overnight in Ribaritsa village.
Cycling specifics: distance: 70 km; uphill cycling: 850 m; downhill cycling: 800 m
Day 3. This morning you face a fairly challenging ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point of the day – Bogoy pass (1,185 m). From this pass you continue cycling all the way down to the town of Troyan. The road passes through the village of Shipkovo, famous for its mineral water springs and swimming pools. You are welcome to take a break here before heading further on to Troyan and the Troyan Monastery (one of the biggest and most famous one in Bulgaria). A few hundred metres before the monastery, to the right, is the "Oreshaka" pottery and craft exhibition. After visiting the monastery and the exhibition you continue on towards the mountain resort of Apriltsi where you stay overnight. The road weaves among the hills of the Central Fore-Balkan and affords many opportunities for you to witness local life.
Cycling specifics: distance: 74 km (45.9 miles); uphill cycling: 900 m (2,952 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 4. In the morning you start cycling from Apriltsi centre. The road undulates throughout this stage. After about 24 km (14.9 miles) you will see the Batoshevo Nunnery on the right-hand side of the road, where we can enjoy a picnic in the garden. The Batoshevo Monastery is also close by. The next milestone is the town of Gabrovo. There you will meet the guide who can either take you by car or you can keep cycling to Etura, an open-air ethnographic museum. The road passes through some hilly areas, flat cultivated terrains, along the river bed of Rositsa River and amid lush green mixed forest. We stay overnight in Etura.
Cycling specifics: distance: 55 km (34.1 miles); uphill cycling: 750 m (2,460 ft); downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft)
Day 5. Today you start cycling some 10 km (6.2 miles) out of Gabrovo in order to avoid the heavy town traffic. After an ascent, immediately followed with a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time on sightseeing and lunch in the centre of this beautiful town. Further undulations will lead you to the final stop of the day – Bozhentsi village (an architectural reserve). After a short break you can walk along the picturesque streets and old houses.
Cycling specifics: distance: 52 km (32.3 miles); uphill cycling: 950m (3,116 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 6. Having visited the Dryanovo Monastery by car that morning, you commence cycling from the Yalovo village turn-off. Kilifarevo Monastery is very close. We make a short stop here and continue on to the mountain town of Elena which is some 48 km (29.8 miles) from the start and the final destination for today. Most of the road passes through pastures, cultivated fields and shrubs in the form of low-lying hills, typical of this part of the Fore-Balkan.
Cycling specifics: distance: 48 km (29.8 miles), uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft)
Day 7. From Elena we continue cycling to the last point on the trip – Arbanasi village (an architectural reserve). The track today is reasonably smooth with long, even terrain, combined with slight undulations. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, farmland, shrub-covered hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. A short descent leads to the centre of Arbanasi village, where the cycling for the whole trip ends. There are quite a few things to see here, including 300-year-old houses, monasteries and museums. After this we head off on a sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo (the former capital of Bulgaria), the site of numerous historical events. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Plovdiv for overnight.
Cycling specifics: distance: 43 km (26.7 miles); uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft)
Day 8. After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure (transfer time: 20 min to Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia Airport)
(about 1 hr from Sofia; or 3 hrs from Plovdiv), where we stay overnight.
Day 2. Today's cycling starts in Goliam Izvor village, heading to Yablanitsa town (the most famous place for producing different kinds of “khalva” in Bulgaria) and then continue to Malak Izvor village. From this point a steep road 4 km long leads you to the Glozhene Monastery Having visited the monastery you go back downhill to Malak Izvor village and continue to Ribaritsa village via the town of Teteven, where we can have lunch and spend some time on sightseeing. The road is idle, passing through woody hilly areas, varied by meadows and pastures. We stay overnight in Ribaritsa village.
Cycling specifics: distance: 70 km; uphill cycling: 850 m; downhill cycling: 800 m
Day 3. This morning you face a fairly challenging ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point of the day – Bogoy pass (1,185 m). From this pass you continue cycling all the way down to the town of Troyan. The road passes through the village of Shipkovo, famous for its mineral water springs and swimming pools. You are welcome to take a break here before heading further on to Troyan and the Troyan Monastery (one of the biggest and most famous one in Bulgaria). A few hundred metres before the monastery, to the right, is the "Oreshaka" pottery and craft exhibition. After visiting the monastery and the exhibition you continue on towards the mountain resort of Apriltsi where you stay overnight. The road weaves among the hills of the Central Fore-Balkan and affords many opportunities for you to witness local life.
Cycling specifics: distance: 74 km (45.9 miles); uphill cycling: 900 m (2,952 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 4. In the morning you start cycling from Apriltsi centre. The road undulates throughout this stage. After about 24 km (14.9 miles) you will see the Batoshevo Nunnery on the right-hand side of the road, where we can enjoy a picnic in the garden. The Batoshevo Monastery is also close by. The next milestone is the town of Gabrovo. There you will meet the guide who can either take you by car or you can keep cycling to Etura, an open-air ethnographic museum. The road passes through some hilly areas, flat cultivated terrains, along the river bed of Rositsa River and amid lush green mixed forest. We stay overnight in Etura.
Cycling specifics: distance: 55 km (34.1 miles); uphill cycling: 750 m (2,460 ft); downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft)
Day 5. Today you start cycling some 10 km (6.2 miles) out of Gabrovo in order to avoid the heavy town traffic. After an ascent, immediately followed with a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time on sightseeing and lunch in the centre of this beautiful town. Further undulations will lead you to the final stop of the day – Bozhentsi village (an architectural reserve). After a short break you can walk along the picturesque streets and old houses.
Cycling specifics: distance: 52 km (32.3 miles); uphill cycling: 950m (3,116 ft); downhill cycling: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Day 6. Having visited the Dryanovo Monastery by car that morning, you commence cycling from the Yalovo village turn-off. Kilifarevo Monastery is very close. We make a short stop here and continue on to the mountain town of Elena which is some 48 km (29.8 miles) from the start and the final destination for today. Most of the road passes through pastures, cultivated fields and shrubs in the form of low-lying hills, typical of this part of the Fore-Balkan.
Cycling specifics: distance: 48 km (29.8 miles), uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft)
Day 7. From Elena we continue cycling to the last point on the trip – Arbanasi village (an architectural reserve). The track today is reasonably smooth with long, even terrain, combined with slight undulations. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, farmland, shrub-covered hills and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. A short descent leads to the centre of Arbanasi village, where the cycling for the whole trip ends. There are quite a few things to see here, including 300-year-old houses, monasteries and museums. After this we head off on a sightseeing tour of Veliko Tarnovo (the former capital of Bulgaria), the site of numerous historical events. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Plovdiv for overnight.
Cycling specifics: distance: 43 km (26.7 miles); uphill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 600 m (1,968 ft)
Day 8. After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure (transfer time: 20 min to Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia Airport)
PRICE: 600 euro
The price includes:
equipped bike (helmets and saddle bags are provided upon request only); English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle; map; roadbook; transfers from/to Sofia airport; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; VAT and all local taxes (entrance fees not included).
Price of extra services:
single room supplement: €80; rent of a helmet: 10 euro/7 days; rent of a rear saddlebag: 10 euro/week; rent of a handle-bar bag: 5 euro/week.
Accommodation:
3-star hotels (days 3, 5, 6 ), guesthouses (days 1 and 7) with private facilities and family-run pensions (day 2, 4) with shared facilities on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All bikers receive a detailed roadbook and map. 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. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
equipped bike (helmets and saddle bags are provided upon request only); English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle; map; roadbook; transfers from/to Sofia airport; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; VAT and all local taxes (entrance fees not included).
Price of extra services:
single room supplement: €80; rent of a helmet: 10 euro/7 days; rent of a rear saddlebag: 10 euro/week; rent of a handle-bar bag: 5 euro/week.
Accommodation:
3-star hotels (days 3, 5, 6 ), guesthouses (days 1 and 7) with private facilities and family-run pensions (day 2, 4) with shared facilities on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Additional tour info:
All bikers receive a detailed roadbook and map. 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. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
Group size: Min. 2 persons
Tour type: IT + / GT
Difficulty grade: moderate
Best period: April – October
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