Overview
This nine day cycling tour, fully supported with a guide and bike van, is a superb overland journey through the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria across the border into Northern Greece, with the magnificent seascapes of the Halkidiki peninsula as your finale.
Cycling from the Rhodope Mountains to Halkidiki is a journey that begins along karst limestone gorges, through ancient forests and stopping to see great sites such as Alistrati Cave and Aggitis Gorge. Every day is an adventure on this holiday, culminating in three days on Athon and Sithonia, two of the three idyllic Halkidiki peninsulas.
Note that e-bikes are also available for rental on this tour.
- Yagodina Cave
- Devil’s Throat Cave
- Ognyanovo Spa Resort
- Alistrati cave
- Athos Holy mountain
- Sithonia
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You are met at Bulgaria’s Sofia airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the timing, spend the rest of the day exploring the vibrant life and cultural sites of the capital.
- Accommodation: Hotel Niky or similar
Day 2: Trigrad – Devil’s Throat Cave – Yagodina Cave – Dospat | 47km
We start the day with a drive to the village of Trigrad (239km, 3.5h) after which we cycle along the dramatic cliffs of Trigrad and Buinovo Gorges. We also visit Yagodina and Devil’s Throat Caves, the latter boasting one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. After lunch, we continue cycling through some small villages, coniferous forests and meadows with superb panoramic views. We finish our day of cycling in the town of Dospat, located near one of the biggest dams and reservoirs in the Rhodope Mountains.
- Cycling for the day: 47km, ↑ 1220m ↓1230m
- Accommodation: Tihiya Kut Family Hotel or similar
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Dospat – Kovachevitsa – Ognyanovo | 51km
Today we continue cycling westwards to the hot spring resort of Ognyanovo, with an optional stop at Dolen village, an architectural reservation protecting 70 buildings as part of the Bulgaria’s cultural heritage. The road goes mainly downhill alongside meadows and coniferous forests, and we bring our cycling day to a close with a dip at the hot spring baths at Ognyanovo. Optional visit to the famous architectural reserve of Kovatchevitsa.
- Cycling for the day: 51km, ↑500m ↓1170m
- Optional detour to Dolen village: 7km, ↑180m ↓180m
- Optional detour to Kovachevitsa village: 32km, ↑690m ↓690m
- Accommodation: Hotel Delta or similar
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Ognyanovo – Aggitis cave | 57km
We cross the border with Greece by bus (1h transfer) and start cycling from Granitis village, which is at an elevation of 800m. From here, we cycle downhill and visit the vast Aggitis Cave (11km long). We continue cycling on isolated mountain roads, past sheep meadows, vineyards and cotton fields. This cycling day ends in Alistrati village famous for the nearby cave and canyon.
- Cycling for the day: 57km, ↑870m ↓1400m
- Accommodation: Hotel Villa Tasko or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 5: Alistrati Cave – Aggitis Canyon – Athos
After breakfast, we visit the beautiful Alistrati Cave (1h tour) and the Aggitis River Canyon nearby. Then we take a bus transfer (2h) to the Athon peninsula, the easternmost Halkidiki peninsula. We stay at Ouranoupoli village, near the sacred land of Mount Athos, and enjoy the rest of the day walking, swimming in the sea or just lying on the beach. We also recommend a boat trip to the nearby island of Amoliani.
- Accommodation: Akrathos Beach Hotel or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 6: Ouranoupoli – Vourvourou | 65km
Today we cycle on quiet mountain and coastal roads from Ouranoupoli to the idyllic coastal village of Vourvourou, with perfectly Greek and gorgeous beaches and views out towards the Diasporos island. The route goes all the way from Athos peninsula to the middle Halkidiki peninsula of Sithonia.
- Cycling for the day 65km, ↑920m ↓960m
- Accommodation: Angelos Hotel or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 7: Vourvourou – Kalamitsi beach – Porto Koufo | 55km
Today we continue cycling from Vourvourou to Porto Koufo on the main coastal road with excellent sea and mountain views. We pass through several small villages and then stop for a swim and rest at Kalamitsi beach. After around 10km of mountain cycling, we reach the beautiful bay of Porto Koufo, where we stay overnight. Optional bike trip on dirt roads among olive groves and farmlands to a viewpoint over the peninsula’s splendid coves.
- Cycling for the day: 55km, ↑1090m ↓1080m
- Accommodation: Porto Koufo Hotel or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Porto Koufo – Nikiti | 51km
Today is one of the prettiest cycling routes of the whole itinerary. We follow mainly isolated coastal roads, passing secluded beaches and small seaside villages. Enjoy views out to nearby islands, along a rocky coast which contrasts perfectly with the dense green coniferous forests that line it, stopping to swim and sunbathe on one of many beaches en route. Option for visiting the secluded mountain village of Parthenonas. The cycling ends in the region of Nikiti where we stay overnight.
- Cycling for the day: 51km, ↑490m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Makednos or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 9: Departure
Transfer back to Thessaloniki or Sofia airports for departure.
- Meals: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
The trip is mostly based in small family hotels/guesthouses with private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all the places, and we regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Niky
- Tihiya Kut Family Hotel
- Hotel Delta
- Hotel Villa Tasko
- Akrathos Beach Hotel
- Angelos Hotel
- Porto Koufo Hotel
- Hotel Makednos
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Meals as listed in the itinerary: 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners. For lunch you can choose between shopping at a local grocery store or ordering a lunch pack from your accommodation. In the evenings you can visit some of the local restaurants where you stay for the overnights.
Difficulty and terrain
Appropriate for cyclists in good physical shape. The trip is graded as moderate, with routes ranging from 47 to 65km per day (read more about difficulty grades). The cycling goes mostly on isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, and the road conditions are relatively good (with some exceptions such as bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt). There are no off road sections.
The tour is escorted, so there will be a minivan with a bike trailer accompanying you all the time, so in case you get tired or need any kind of assistance, you can get the help and support you need. The driver/tour leader with the supporting vehicle and the luggage inside checks several times a day if everything is OK with the cyclists, waiting by crossroads, and accompanying them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
When to go
We run the trip once a month during the months May-September, please click Dates & Prices button to check availability.
The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, with an average of 200 days of sunshine a year. It is influenced both by the colder air coming from the north and by the warmer breeze from the Mediterranean. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but in the June-September period, the daily averages are 15 – 25C. Spring and autumn are pleasant, with cold nights and occasional rain and thunderstorms. High summer daytime temperatures are rarely too hot as even though temperatures can occasionally reach 30C, the mountains and forests remain cooler, dropping at night to 5-15C. In Halkidiki, it can get too hot for cycling during the summer months. The best months to travel are May, September, and October. The climate is Mediterranean continental. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but generally, in the May-September period, the daily averages are 15 –25C.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Bulgaria is available here, and on Greece – here.
Click to view travel options
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Sofia. Alternatively, you can arrive at Sofia Airport and depart from Thessaloniki Airport.
Inclusions
Included
- 8 overnights in small family hotels/guesthouses
- Meal plan as described in the itinerary (8 breakfasts, 2 dinners)
- Supporting vehicle and English-speaking tour leader/driver
- Luggage transportation and all transfers described in the itinerary
- Airport transfers from/to Sofia airport between 9.30 and 22.30
- Maps
- Technical bike support during the cycling sections
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- Extra nights in Sofia before and/or after the holiday
- Bike rental
Bike rental
In case you would like to rent a bike from us, we can offer you our standard hybrid bikes equipped with 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears or our e-bikes with 250W Brushless Gear motor.
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