Cycling tours listing
From Rodopi mountains to Halkidiki sea shore (Bulgaria & Greece)
This cycling tour will take you on a memorable adventure in the lands of the Rodopi mountains in Bulgaria, the central parts of Northern Greece and the Halkidiki peninsula (Sithonia and Athon). The Bulgarian part of the tour includes biking in the pristine landscape of old coniferous forests, gorges, caves, big dams and beautiful meadows in the mythical Rodopi mountains and a pleasant relaxing evening by the hot mineral springs in Ognyanovo spa resort. Then you cross the border with Greece and start exploring the lands of Drama prefecture typical for their karst relief housing 2 of the most beautiful caves in Greece Aggitis and Alistrati. Enjoy the quiet views of small mountain villages, herds of sheep around the roads and the majestic silhouettes of the surrounding mountains – Falakro (2236m), Mavros logos and Menikio.
The tour ends with three days of exciting cycling in the middle peninsula of Halkidiki – Sithonia full with sun, numerous secluded beaches, stunning cliffs, rich island vegetation, olive gardens, palms and peaceful small villages and towns. This tour will show you the changing of the landscape, culture and architecture going from North to South to the Augean sea while you cycle, experience the local village life, swim in the crystal clear waters of the sea and flavor your senses with the local food.
Tour highlights:
• The mystic Rodopi Mountains – the oldest mountain on the Balkans
• Peaceful mountain sceneries and rich biodiversity
• Typical mountain villages architecture and vivid local life
• Stunning natural phenomenas – 2 gorges, 1 canyons, 4 caves and more
• Athos holy land and monasteries
• Scenic coastal roads, beautiful Augean sea nature and typical coastal villages and towns of Halkidiki peninsula
• Crystal blue sea waters and beautiful secluded beaches of the Augean sea
Departure dates:
17 April 2010; 08 May 2010; 25 September 2010; 16 October 2010;
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Sofia and transfer (2.30h) to Trigrad village in Rodopi mountains.
Day 2 We start cycling through the stunning 250 m high cliffs of Trigrad gorge and visit the Devil's Throat Cave, housing one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. Further on we explore another beautiful gorge – Buinovo (one of the longest in Bulgaria) and visit the beautiful Yagodina cave. The route continues with some uphill cycling through some small villages, passing by potato fields, coniferous forests and picturesque meadows. We end up in Dospat town (1200m) situated near one of the biggest dams in Rodopi mountains – Dosapt dam.
Cycling specifics: distance: 50 km; uphill/downhill cycling: 800/700m
Day 3 Today we continue cycling westwards to the hot spring resort Ognyanovo making a stop in the architectural reserve of Dolen village. The road goes mainly downhill on nice meadows and coniferous forests and we finish cycling in the hot mineral swimming pools of Ognyanovo. Optional visit of the famous architectural reserve Kovatchevitsa (15 km away from Ognyanovo).
Cycling specifics: distance: 56 km; uphill cycling: 500m; downhill cycling: 1130m
Day 4 We pass the border with Greece in the bus (1h transfer) and start cycling from Granitis village at 800m. From there we go downhill and visit the interesting Aggiti’s river cave (11 km long). After that we continue cycling on isolated low mountain roads in secluded country regions surrounded by vast pastures with sheep herds, high mountains and passing through small quiet mountain villages with typical greek architecture. The cycling day ends in Alistrati village famous for the nearby cave and canyon. Overnight.
Cycling specifics: distance: 57 km; uphill cycling: 1200m; downhill cycling: 1350m
Day 5 Relax day. After breakfast we visit the beautiful Alistrati cave (1 hour tour) and the Aggiti’s river canyon nearby. Then we get on the bus for a transfer (2.30 hours) to the Athos peninsula (the most eastern finger of Halkidiki peninsula). We stay at Ouranoupoli village near the border of Athos holy land and enjoy the rest of the day for relaxation – walking around, swimming in the sea and lying on the beach. We also recommend a boat trip to the nearby island Amoliani. Overnight.
Day 6 Cycling on mountain and coastal roads via small towns and villages from Ouranoupoli to the nice coast town Vourvourou with great beaches and views towards the Diasporos island. The route goes all the way from Athos peninsula to the middle finger of Halkidiki peninsula - Sithonia. Overnight.
Cycling specifics: distance: 69 km; uphill cycling: 870m; downhill cycling: 910m
Day 7 Cycling from Vouvourou to Porto Kofu on the main coastal road with nice views towards the sea and the interior mountains. You pass by several small villages and have a rest for a swim on the beautiful beach of Kalamitsi. After some 12 km cycling over the mountain you reach the beautiful bay of Porto Kofu village, where you stay overnight. Optional bike trip on dirt roads among olive gardens and farmlands to the top of a rock with splendid view over rocky coves.
Cycling specifics: distance: 54 km; uphill cycling: 1100m; downhill cycling: 950m
Day 8 Today is one of the prettiest cycling routes of the whole program. You follow mainly isolated roads very near the sea passing by secluded beaches and small sea villages set in rich green vegetation. Enjoy the splendid views of the small islands nearby, the rocky coast and the dense green coniferous forests while you cycle, swim and sunbathe on one of the many lonely beaches en-route. Option for visit the secluded mountain village of Parthenonas. The cycling ends in the region of Nikiti (where we stay overnight.
Cycing specifics: distance: 50 km; uphill cycling: 500m; downhill cycling: 530m
Day 9 Transfer (1.30h) to Thessaloniki airport for departure.
PRICE: 700 euro
Included: equipped bike (helmets and saddle bags are provided upon request only); English-speaking guide/driver with a supporting vehicle; map; roadbook; all ground transportation (including airport transfers); VAT and all local taxes (entrance fees not included).
Accommodation:
We stay in family run hotels and pensions with private facilities on 3 HB (Bulgaria stage) and 4 BB (Greece stage)
Practical information:
BIKES: You can choose (depending on the availability) from 2 types of bikes: 1 hardtail performance mountain bike “RAM” with road tires, 24 gears and 80mm front suspension fork and 2. quality road touring bike “DRAG” with 21 gears, 28 inch rims and Shimano components.
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. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
ROAD CONDITIONS: We mostly use isolated two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering. 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 is relatively low but might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while. In Halkidiki Peninsula we use main coastal roads with low traffic in the tour’s active season.
RECCOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: All riders must wear a helmet at all times riding. We encourage riders to bring their own helmets or rent one from us. Biking gloves are also recommended.
Difficulty grade: Moderate. Tour for bikers in good physical condition.
Group size: Min. 4
Best period: April – May; September - November
BIKES: You can choose (depending on the availability) from 2 types of bikes: 1 hardtail performance mountain bike “RAM” with road tires, 24 gears and 80mm front suspension fork and 2. quality road touring bike “DRAG” with 21 gears, 28 inch rims and Shimano components.
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. The guide is also responsible for the technical support of the bikes. Bikers can always skip some harder stages using the supporting vehicle.
ROAD CONDITIONS: We mostly use isolated two-way roads (one band per direction) with an asphalt covering. 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 is relatively low but might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while. In Halkidiki Peninsula we use main coastal roads with low traffic in the tour’s active season.
RECCOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: All riders must wear a helmet at all times riding. We encourage riders to bring their own helmets or rent one from us. Biking gloves are also recommended.
Difficulty grade: Moderate. Tour for bikers in good physical condition.
Group size: Min. 4
Best period: April – May; September - November
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