Balkan Mountains
Bulgaria Bike Tours
Cycling through the eastern fringe of Europe
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€820 Rates
Overview
Explore the unique biking opportunities along the north and central parts of the Balkan Mountains, famous for unspoiled nature, green valleys, precipitous cliffs, and gentle, rolling hills.
Bulgaria is mostly ignored by the typical tourist, and this provides the cyclist with a unique opportunity!
The biking begins in the tiny village of Golyam Izvo, passing by the Central Balkan National Park and ending up in Veliko Tarnovo – the Old Bulgarian capital and one of the most charming of the Bulgarian towns.
The narrow roads meander through picturesque villages that look as they did 200 years ago. You’ll see wooden carts pulled by horses or donkeys and villagers making hay the old-fashioned way, and you will also experience a country with renewed energy, a vision for tomorrow, and unsurpassed natural beauty.
Highlights
- Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, 3rd largest in Bulgaria, built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
- Etura Open-air Ethnographic Museum presenting Bulgarian customs, craftsmanship, architecture, and way of life during the Bulgarian National Revival period.
- Bozhentsi village - an architectural reserve consisting of some 100 houses from The Bulgarian National Revival period.
- Veliko Turnovo - the old medieval capital of Bulgaria
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
Day 2: Golyam Izvor - Glozhene monastery - Ribaritsa, 30 mi. (49 km)
Day 3: Ribaritsa - Troyan monastery - Apriltsi, 49 mi. (78 km)
Day 4: Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Sokolsky monastery - Etura, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 6: Bozhentsi - Dryanovo monastery - Elena, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 7: Elena - Arbanasi - Veliko Turnovo, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 8: Departure transfer to the airport.
Please note that the transfer takes place at 8 am and takes about 3 hours. Plan flights accordingly or request an extra night after your tour in Sofia.All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Sofia International Airport and transfer to Sofia city center for accommodation.Sample accommodation: Hotel Zdravets or similar
Day 2: Golyam Izvor - Glozhene monastery - Ribaritsa, 30 mi. (48 km) | Elevation +620m/-510m
There is a transfer in the morning to Yablanitsa where the cycling begins, leading through town and continuing to the village of Malak. From here, there is an optional detour, a challenging 5 km uphill ride to the Glozhene Monastery. After visiting the monastery, it is downhill the same way, to continue further to scenic Teteven, located in a mountainous area, in the foothills of the Balkan mountains with the Vit River meandering through. There is an opportunity for a walk and a visit to the local historic museum and church or alternatively, you can enjoy a short bike ride and hike to a nearby eco-trail with 2 beautiful waterfalls. Day's end is in the village of Ribaritsa well known as a mountain health resort. (B, D)Sample accommodation: Hotel Zornitsa or similar
Day 3: Ribaritsa - Troyan monastery - Apriltsi, 48 mi. (77 km) | Elevation +970m/-1060m
The morning begins with an ascent from Ribaritsa to the highest point for the day - Bogoi pass (1185 m). From this pass, the road goes all the way down to the town of Troyan passing through the village of Shipkovo and an opportunity for a refreshing bath in the mineral water pools. After lunch in the Troyan town center, there is a visit to The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" and the famous Troyan monastery. Overnight this evening will be in the village of Apriltsii. There is a possibility to extend your cycling distance with a detour to Glozhen Monastery. This will add an additional 16 km. (B, D)Accommodation:Sample accommodation: Tihiat Kut Family Hotel or similar
Day 4: Apriltsi - Gabrovo - Sokolsky monastery - Etura, 38 mi. (61 km) | Elevation +700m/800m
Cycling on isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo, en-route you pass by numerous small villages set in green landscapes and river valleys. After an ascent followed by a nice downhill ride, you reach Gabrovo town and continue to Etura, an open-air ethnographic museum, where you add an additional 6 km of cycling reaching the nearby Sokolski Monastery. Overnight in nearby Etura. (B,D)Sample accommodation: AEK Etura Hotel or similar
Day 5: Gabrovo - Tryavna - Bozhentsi, 36 mi. (58 km) | Elevation +1010m/-1000m
After breakfast, you start cycling from Gabrovo. After an ascent followed by a descent, you arrive in Tryavna. There you can spend some time sightseeing and enjoy lunch in the center of this beautiful National Revival town. Ups and downs through open terrain will lead you to the final stop for today, Bozhentsi architectural reserve. (B, D)Sample accommodation: Parlapanovata Kushta guest house or similar
Day 6: Bozhentsi - Dryanovo monastery - Elena, 28 mi. (46 km) | Elevation +800m/800m
A transfer in the morning brings you to the Dryanovo Monastery where you can also visit the local cave. You start cycling from Yalovo village to the town of Elena passing by several villages and the blue waters of the Lovkovtsi dam. (B, D)Sample accommodation: Eleni Palas Hotel or similar
Day 7: Elena - Arbanasi - Veliko Turnovo, 27 mi. (43 km) | Elevation +600m/730m
From Elena, the route leads to the final destination of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. The landscape includes meadows, pastures, cultivated lands, and finally a beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. After some free time for rest and walks among the old houses of Arbanasi, lunch will be enjoyed and a sightseeing tour in Veliko Turnovo - the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In the afternoon, there is a transfer to Sofia for the night. (B)Sample accommodation: Hotel Zdravets or similar
Day 8: Departure from Plovdiv
There is an airport transfer included in your tour price that GENERALLY takes place at 8 am and takes about 3 hours. Please ask us before you make your flight details. (B)If you're looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
You will be accommodated in family-run hotels & guest houses unique to this area. No chain hotels! On each day’s details you will find the name of the preferred hotel. Please note that final hotel list will be based on availability.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights in family-run hotels & guesthouses with private facilities
- Breakfasts & 4 dinners (days 2, 3, 5 & 6)
- Support vehicle with English-speaking driver (the guide with the supporting vehicle also provides the luggage transfer & checks several times a day if everything is okay with the group, waiting by crossroads, accompanying them for breakfast, lunch, & dinner & giving them information on the most interesting sites en-route).
- Map & roadbook
- Transfer from/to Sofia on day 1 & day 8
- Cube aluminum light bike rental with front suspension equipped with water bottle cages, handlebar bag with map holder, one pannier, &repair kit. Panniers are available for rental.
- Helmet (please request)
- All local transfers
What’s Not Included
- Entrance fees
- Dinner on days 1, 4 & 7
- Lunches
- Airport transfers if other than arrival & departure days & outside time frame
- Alcoholic beverages
- Extra pannier rental (€5)
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
April 20, May 18, June 22, September 7, October 12, 2024 and May 17, 2025
Departures require a minimum of 4 people to confirm. Less than four people will incur a supplement (see pricing).
Private tour dates are possible apart from the scheduled departures for a supplement. Please ask!
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Twin/double $ 1380 £ 702 $ 1,266 € 820 Ft 341254 kr 124773 ₪ 3409 ¥ 138492 Mex$ 18267 NZ$ 1519 kr 10021 zł 3644 S$ 1202 kr 9723 CHF 789 $ 909 Single supplement $ 259 £ 132 $ 238 € 154 Ft 64089 kr 23433 ₪ 640 ¥ 26009 Mex$ 3431 NZ$ 285 kr 1882 zł 684 S$ 226 kr 1826 CHF 148 $ 171 Supplement for small group size (1-3 travelers) $ 278 £ 141 $ 255 € 165 Ft 68667 kr 25107 ₪ 686 ¥ 27867 Mex$ 3676 NZ$ 306 kr 2016 zł 733 S$ 242 kr 1956 CHF 159 $ 183 2025
Twin/double $ 1481 £ 753 $ 1,359 € 880 Ft 366223 kr 133902 ₪ 3658 ¥ 148625 Mex$ 19604 NZ$ 1630 kr 10754 zł 3910 S$ 1290 kr 10435 CHF 847 $ 976 Single supplement $ 259 £ 132 $ 238 € 154 Ft 64089 kr 23433 ₪ 640 ¥ 26009 Mex$ 3431 NZ$ 285 kr 1882 zł 684 S$ 226 kr 1826 CHF 148 $ 171 Extra Options
Rental options
Electric bike $ 177 £ 90 $ 162 € 105 Ft 43697 kr 15977 ₪ 436 ¥ 17734 Mex$ 2339 NZ$ 195 kr 1283 zł 467 S$ 154 kr 1245 CHF 101 $ 116 Pannier bag $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 Ft 4162 kr 1522 ₪ 42 ¥ 1689 Mex$ 223 NZ$ 19 kr 122 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 CHF 10 $ 11 Road bike no additional cost Helmet on request Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate–Difficult
This is a moderate to difficult supported bike tour on mainly isolated village roads with little traffic. Because it is supported, it is difficult to rate in that there will be a van transferring luggage and stopping at certain points throughout the route to ensure that all is well. If you need a “sag wagon”, you can hop on the van at any time, avoiding any significant climbing. Road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt). There is no off-road riding. This tour involves climbing, steep at times, and is designed for bikers in good physical condition. Daily elevation graphs are available.
Airport Info
Fly to Sofia International Airport (SOF), considered the main airport of Bulgaria.
Local Travel
Airport transfer from/to Sofia Airport is included on your tour start day and tour departure day. For arrivals at other airports such as Varna or Bourgas, a transfer may be possible for supplemental fee. Please ask us.
Climate
Please check local conditions prior to your arrival. Your tour takes place inland, in a mountainous part of Bulgaria. Below you will find average temperatures and average rainfall for the region. Please note that May and June are the wettest months so don’t forget your raingear.
Recommended
Helmets are required.
Remarks
Dress code in monasteries and churches - men are not allowed to enter in shorts and women should not expose their legs and shoulders.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Penguin Travel.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
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