Mountain Biking in Vitosha and Rila Mountains (Bulgaria)
Have you ever thought of going above 2000m with a bike or you have done it and want to do it again? This tour is specially designed for the enduro mountain bikers who love biking in pristine alpine landscapes including crystal clear glacier lakes, wild rivers, waterfalls, big glacier valleys, high alpine peaks and meadows with abundant wildlife. Surrounded by the alpine beauties and positive energy of the mountains every uphill and harder stage seems easier and pleasant and fillls you with strength and desire to bike and see more and more.
The biking in the highest mountain in Bulgaria includes the historic Kayser’s way made in the beginning of 20C by the Bulgarian Tzar Ferdinand to show Rila Mountains beauties to the Austrian Kayser. You will bike down to the lowest southern parts of the mountain and visit typical villages of the region. You will also see the Brown Bear sanctuary in Belitsa, where dancing bears used by the gipsies in the past are rehabilitated and brought back to normal life. At the end you will have the option to choose either to finish the tour with a pleasant downhill ride of 1300 vertical meters from Bezbog lake to Dobrinishte village or take a rest and do a cultural trip to the biggest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria – Rila monastery.
Tour highlights:
- Biking in the highest mountains on the Balkans – Rila Mountains
- The rich natural world of Rila National park and 3 natural reserves
- Natural park Vitosha and its highest peak Cherni vrah (2290m)
- Stunning alpine lanscapes including glacier lakes and big valleys, alpine peaks, moraines, old coniferous and dwarf pine vegetation
- The historic high altitude Kayser’s way made in the beginning of 20th C
- The old churches in the small mountain village of Dobarsko
- The Bear rehabilitation park in Belitsa
- The biggest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery
Departure Dates:
20 June 2009 – 17 October 2009 – every day;
Country Region: Vitosha and Rila mountains
Price Without Flight Ticket: 710.00 EUR
Additional Price Information: Included in the price: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; mountain bike (helmets are provided upon request only); English-speaking guide; driver with a supporting vehicle; transfers from/to Sofia airport and throughout the tour; luggage transfers; VAT and all local taxes. Excluded from the price: flights, travel insurance, entrance fees, alchohol drinks, other personel expenses. Price of extra services: single supplement: 80 euro;rent of a helmet: 10 euro/week.
Trip plan:
Day 1. Meeting at Sofia airport and transfer to the city center for overnight.
Day 2. Short transfer to Aleko hut in Vitosha Mountains. Biking in the alpine parts above the tree line to Cherni Vryh Peak (2290m a.s.l.), the highest in Vitosha Mountains. Downhill ride along beautiful meadows to Yarlovo village. Transfer to the village of Govedartsi in Rila Mountains. (28 km; highest elevation: 2290m; uphill biking: 400m; downhill biking: 1200m)
Day 3. 30min drive brings us to Borovets ski resort. The biking starts on a dirt road along the famous Kayser’s way via the rock formation Wolf’s stone, Chakar Voivoda hut, Sara Giol palace and further upstream along Prava Maritsa River to Zavratchica hut at 2200m where we stay overnight. (20 km; highest elevation: 2200m; uphill biking: 800m; downhill biking: 100m)
Day 4. Today we continue biking on the Kayser’s way surrounded by stunning alpine peaks and meadows. The road climbs at 2450m and goes down to Granchar hut (2200m) situated in the Granchar circuss with 3 glacier lakes. We continue downhill on a macadam road and asphalt road to Treshtenik area for overnight. (18 km; highest elevation: 2450m; uphill biking: 500m; downhill biking: 800m)
Day 5. Nice dirt road will lead us from Treshtenik in direction to Semkovo resort. We bike in forests at around 1800m and pass through Toritsa, Solishteto and Vranchevo areas. Overnight in Semkovo. (15 km; highest elevation: 1850m; uphill biking: 300m; downhill biking: 300m)
Day 6. Biking today takes us to Belitsa town via the picturesque village of Dobarsko. The route passes near Belitsa river and Dobarsko hut and continues downhill to the small village of Dobarsko. After a rest and visit of the two old churches we hit the dirt road and after several ascents and descents we reach Belitsa town . Here we visit the dancing bears rehabilitation park. (25 km; highest elevation: 1700m; uphill biking: 300m; downhill biking: 850m)
Day 7. Relax day, which will allow us to visit the most famous Bulgarian landmark (equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history) – Rila Monastery and the sandy pyramids by Stob village nearby. We end up in Sofia, where some time at leisure may be spent in the late afternoon hours for sightseeing, shopping etc.
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure
Accommodation and Food: Guesthouses (day 1,7) and 3 star family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 2, 4, 5, 6); dorm (twin rooms if available) in a mountain hut with shared facilities (day 3), 7 days on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included)
Practical information:
TOUR INFO: There is a guide riding together with the group. The unnecessary luggage stays in the supporting vehicle, which makes the transfers. For the overnight stay in the hut (day 3) bikers should allow clothing for 2 days and carry it in a daypack during the rides on days 3 and 4.
BIKES: Hardtail performance mountain bike “RAM” with 24 gears, 80mm front suspension fork and Sram components.
BIKING SPECIFICS: this is a true enduro mountain bike trip and we bike on all kinds of terrain: forests paths and dirt roads, alpine single tracks and macadam roads on rocky terrain, meadow paths and dirt roads and more. Uphill sections are moderate to hard (with some sections that may require pushing of the bikes)
RECCOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: We strongly recommend you to bring a helmet, cycling gloves and light knee pads (for the downhill sections). Helmets can be rented from us upon request.
EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight. For more information please check “Vacation extensions” below.
LOW COST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA: please check: Wizz Air – http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe – http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet – http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings – http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air – http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle – http://www.norwegian.no/.
CONNECTING THE TOUR: In summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For detailed information and prices, please look at the trip dossier.
Recommended Travel Period of the Year: June – September
Links to additional information:
http://www.cyclingbulgaria.com Road cycling and mountain biking in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Croatia
Tour difficulty: C – D
Difficult/Challenging. For experienced bikers in mountain biking.
Group Size: min. 2 pax
