Overview
An eight day adventure holiday in Bulgaria, cycling in the Balkan Mountains and, in particular, Central Balkan National Park. Cycle west to east on a linear route starting in the the village of Goliam Izvor and finishing in Veliko Tarnovo, the former Bulgarian capital and a fine finale to your trip. As well as cycling through tranquil valleys, villages and shady foothills, this journey explores other aspects of ancient Bulgaria, such as the town of Tryavna and Dryanovo Monastery. A fully supported tour with minivan and trailer nearby, there is also an option to rent e-bikes.
- Troyan Monastery
- Etura Ethnographic Museum
- Bozhentsi Historical and Architectural Reserve
- Tryavna
- Veliko Turnovo, former capital
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Itinerary
Day 1: Sofia
You are met at Sofia airport and transferred to your hotel. If you have time, Sofia is a great city to explore, with highlights including the cafes along Vitosha Boulevard, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and The Museum Of Socialist Art.
- Accommodation: Hotel Niky or similar
Day 2: Sofia – Goliam Izvor – Ribaritsa | 48km
An early-morning transfer (1h) brings you to the village of Golyam Izvor, where your cycling begins. Head towards the town of Teteven with an optional detour to Glozhene Monastery. Take a short break in Teteven to explore the town, its the local history museum and church. Afterwards, continue cycling to the resort village of Ribaritsa for your overnight stay.
- Cycling for the day: 48km, ↑620m ↓510 (+ possible detour to Glozhene Monastery: 16km ↑↓ 430m)
- Accommodation: Family Hotel Zornitsa or similar
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Ribaritsa – Troyan Monastery – Apriltsi | 77km
Start today’s ride with an ascent to the highest point of the day – Bogoi Pass (1,185m), where you are rewarded with a long and scenic descent to the town of Troyan, where you can stop for lunch. Shortly after getting out of the town, you come to Troyan Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s largest, famous for its with superb frescoes. It’s also worth visiting the pottery and craft exhibition, Oreshaka, next door. The last cycling section for the day takes you to the beautiful village of Apriltsi, with great views of the surrounding mountains.
- Cycling for the day: 77km, ↑970m ↓1,060m
- Accommodation: Tihiya Kut Family Hotel or similar
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Apriltsi – Gabrovo – Etura | 61km
After breakfast, start cycling along isolated and idyllic village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. The cycling starts with a short ascent, followed by a long and pleasant trail all the way to the town of Gabrovo. After a short break, continue towards Etura, open-air ethnographic museum, where you can take a break or add an additional 6km of cycling to the nearby Sokolski Monastery.
- Cycling for the day: 61km, ↑700m ↓800m
- Accommodation: Hotel Balkan Gabrovo or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 5: Gabrovo – Tryavna – Bozhentsi | 58km
Leaving Gabrovo, your cycle starts with a short ascent, followed by a descent towards the town of Tryavna, where you can take a break for lunch and explore the charming old town. Continue on to Bozhentsi Historical and Architectural Reserve which is the final stop for the day and a true hidden gem.
- Cycling for the day: 58km, ↑1,010m ↓1,000m
- Accommodation: Hotel Stranopriemnicata or similar
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Bozhentsi – Dryanovo Monastery – Elena | 46km
A transfer in the morning (20mins) brings you to Dryanovo Monastery, and nearby cave. Continue by bike from the village of Yalovo towards Elena, passing by several small villages while also passing the magnificent waters of Lovkovtsi Reservoir.
- Cycling for the day 46km, ↑ 800m ↓800m
- Accommodation: Hotel Perun or similar
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 7: Elena – Arbanassi – Veliko Turnovo / Sofia | 42km
Starting from Elena, continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. Cycle through an array of tranquil landscapes, from pastures to Veliko Tranavo Plateau. Take a short break for lunch in Arbanassi before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital and fascinating ancient town. In the late afternoon, you are transferred to Sofia for your final overnight stay.
- Cycling for the day: 42km, ↑600m ↓730m
- Accommodation: Hotel Niky or similar
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, you are transferred to Sofia airport.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Niky
- Family Hotel Zornitsa
- Tihiya Kut Family Hotel
- Hotel Balkan Gabrovo
- Hotel Stranopriemnicata
- Hotel Perun
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Meals as listed in the itinerary: 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners. Dinner is not included for the overnights in Sofia and in Gabrovo, where you have plenty of restaurants to choose from. As for the lunch meals, on each cycling day there is a restaurant along the way and you will also be able to shop on your own from the local grocery stores or order a lunch pack from your accommodation.
Difficulty and terrain
Appropriate for cyclists in good physical shape. The trip is graded as moderate, with routes ranging from 42 to 77km 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
In 2024 this trip is available from April to October, with one guaranteed departure each month: 20 April, 18 May, 22 June and 7 September (dates and prices are also available in the booking form). Other departures can be organised at any date for groups of more than four people (a supplement applies for less than four people).
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.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Sofia.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights in small family hotels/guesthouses
- Meal plan as described in the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 4 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 09.30 and 22.30
- Route notes and 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
If 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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