The Rhodopes are a large mountain mass spread in the Southeast of Bulgaria. Virgin pine forests, many rivers and extraordinary rock figures are characteristic of this mountain. Our itinerary passes trough several middle-height peaks, a number of unique natural phenomena, small cozy villages, old roman roads and cultural  monuments.

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RHODOPE MOUNTAINS

Mountain Biking Program - 15 days

            Requirements

You will bike along asphalt-covered roads or cart tracks. Many of the stages go through coniferous forests at a height less than 1800 m/5900 ft. You should be able to bike for 5 to 6 hours a day (max. 90 km/56 miles along asphalt roads).

            Route
Day 1: Sofia to Plovdiv (150 km/93 miles):
A flight to Sofia. A transporter van will take you from Sofia Airport to the city of Plovdiv (166 m/544 ft). Overnight at Leipzig hotel (3 stars).
Day 2: Plovdiv to Velingrad (90 km/56 miles - 6 hrs):
You will bike along a level asphalt-covered road to the village of Varvara for 55 km/34 miles. After climbing along an asphalt-covered road you will arrive at the Velingrad town (760 m/2492 ft). The town is famous for its warm mineral springs and the artificial lake "Kleptuza" which is situated amidst beautiful scenery. You will spend the night at private lodgings.
Day 3: Velingrad to Dospat (70 km/43 miles - 5 hrs):
On the way to Sarnitsa village (1200 m/3935 ft) you will overcome a height of 1500m. The next 20 km/12 miles you will bike along a cart track round the Dospat dam-lake to the town of Dospat (1200 m/3935 ft). Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 4: Dospat to Devin (53 km/33 miles - 4,5 hrs):
The next stage (17 km/11 miles) between Dospat and the village of Borino (1180 m/3935 ft) is along an asphalt road. After 5 km of biking along a cart track you will reach the Orpheus chalet (1190 m/3900 ft). Biking on forest cart track via the Hunt chalet (1400 m/4590 ft) to the town of Devin (700 m/2295 ft), you will overcome a height of 1550 m/5170 ft.Overnight in private lodgings.
Day 5: During the rest day the tourists can go round the town of Devin, which is situated in a beautiful mountain valley.
Day 6: Devin to Mugla (45 km/28 miles - 5 hrs):
You will bike along an asphalt-covered road to the village of Shiroka Laka (1100 m/3670 ft) for 21 km/13 miles. Then you will have the chance for sightseeing of the architectural reserve Shiroka Laka. After that you will cycle to the village of Gela (1415 m/4715 ft) on asphalt-covered road (7 km/4
miles). Then follows climbing on forest cart-way to the Lednitsata chalet (1720 m/5740 ft) - 5 km/3 miles. Via the saddle Odabashiytsa (1850 m/6170 ft) you will arrive at the Mugla village (1400 m/4670 ft) - 12 km/8 miles. Overnight in private lodgings.
Day 7: Mugla to Trigrad (19 km/12 miles - 5 hrs):
You will cycle on cart track to the Chamla village (1650 m/5410 ft) - 5 km/3 miles. After reaching of a height of 950 m/3170 ft (9 km/6 miles) on forest cart-way, you will bike on asphalt-covered road to the Trigrad village (1250 m/4100 ft) - 5 km/3 miles. Sightseeing of the cave "Devil's Throat".
Overnight in private lodgings.
Day 8: Trigrad to "Yagodinska" cave and back (30 km/19 miles - 4 hrs):
The day starts with biking on forest cart-way to the village of Yagodina (1200 m/3935 ft) - 7 km/4 miles. Then follows biking on asphalt-covered road to the "Yagodinska" cave (1100 m/3607 ft) and sightseeing of the cave - 3 km. On asphalt-covered road you will pass through the Yagodinska gorge and the village of Teshel (700 m/2295 ft) - 8 km/5 miles, then back to Trigrad - 12 km/8 miles.
Day 9: Trigrad to Chairski Lakes and back (27 km/17 miles - 5 hrs):
You will cycle through coniferous forest on cart-way to the Chairski Lakes (1600 m/ 5340 ft) - 10 km/6 miles. Then you will descend on cart track to the Trigrad river 950 m/3170 ft (12 km/7 miles) and bike on asphalt-covered road to the Trigrad village - 5 km/3 miles.
Day 10: Trigrad to Mugla (29 km/18 miles - 4 hrs):
The next stage (11 km/7 miles) between Trigrad and Teshel is along an asphalt road. Along the cart-track to the village of Mugla you will visit the Kotlinite reservation park - 18 km/11 miles. Overnight in private lodgings.
Day 11: Mugla to Stoikite (40 km/25 miles - 5 hrs):
Via the saddle Odabashiytsa (1850 m/6170 ft) you will arrive on cart track at the Prevala saddle (1800 m/6000 ft) - 34 km/21 miles. After that follows descending to the village of Stoikite (1400 m/4670 ft) on asphalt-covered road - 6 km/4 miles. Overnight at a private hotel.
Day 12: Stoikite to peak Snezhanka and back (33 km/20 miles - 4,5 hrs):
You will bike on a forest cart-way to the Snezhanka peak (1926 m/6315 ft) - 7 km. There is a TV tower with a nice cafe at the top. Then you will visit the Smolyanski Lakes (1300 m/4340 ft) on asphalt road and cycle back to the village of Stoikite - 26 km/16 miles.
Day 13: Stoikite to Persenk chalet (48 km/30 miles - 7 hrs):
First you will climb along an asphalt road - 20 km/12 miles. You will bike along the mountain ridge following a cart-track to the Gluhite Kamani region - 19 km/12 miles. After that you will climb the Golyam Persenk peak (2091 m/ 6970 ft). You will go down for 9 km/6 miles to the Persenk chalet (1750 m/5840 ft) riding along an old Roman road. Sometimes the road gets as narrow as a path.
Day 14: Persenk chalet to Plovdiv (51 km/32 miles - 4,5 hrs):
On a cart-track you will reach the village of Lilkovo (1350 m/4500 ft) - 14 km/9 miles. You will cycle down on asphalt road to the city of Plovdiv - 37 km/23 miles. The rest of the day is planned for sightseeing of its ancient Old Town. Overnight at Leipzig hotel.
Day 15: Plovdiv to Sofia (150 km/93 miles):
You will be transported by van to Sofia Airport. Flight home.

Optimal season: May till October Group size: min 1; max 15 REMARKS Normally our company ensures:      - full board;      - Accompanying of the group by a foreign language speaking guide from Sofia to Sofia;      - Transfer - from Sofia to Sofia;      -  Accompanying car during the tour;      - Overnight as mentioned in the program - hotels, private lodgings (2-bed rooms).

Send mail to info@luckytours.hypermart.net with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: April 20, 2008