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MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURES IN BULGARIA AND ROMANIA / Bulgaria / Romania
Mountain Bike adventures in Bulgaria and Romania / Bulgaria / Romania
INTRODUCTION:
On this trip you will get familiar with the mountains, culture and history of two countries that are so close to each other and yet quite different as well. We are going to spend 5 days in Bulgaria riding the mysterious Middle forest and Balkan mountain routes and learn about the vivid Revolutionary struggles and fights that were held there. Further, we will explore the trails, cobbled stone streets and fortresses of the medieval capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo. In Romania we are going to dive in the beautiful Transylvania region and the Carpathian mountains. We will explore the high mountain trails of Bucegi mountains, ride the vast meadow of the foothills of Piatra Crailui (KIng's stone) mountain and finish with a thrilling ride above Brasov town.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Sofia - capital city of Bulgaria ♦ Koprivshtitsa - best preserved 19 century old town in Bulgaria ♦ Central Balkan National Park ♦ Veliko Tarnovo - the old medieval capital of Bulgaria ♦ Bucharest - capital city of Romania ♦ Bucegi and Piatra Crailui National parks ♦ Bran Castle - famous for Bram Stoker's Dracula story ♦ Brasov city - a gem of Saxon architecture
DATES: Daily from 1 June to 31 Oct
DURATION: 10 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
DURATION: 10 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Full Board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included) ♦ 9 nights in 2-4 star Family hotels with en-suite facilities; spa and pool facilities where available ♦ lift ticket for Bucegi Mountain ♦ all ground transportation as per itinerary ♦ supporting vehicle throughout the trip ♦ technical support for the bikes ♦ professional English-speaking mountain bike guide and driver
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Flight tickets ♦ alcohol, soft drinks and other personal expenses ♦ entrance fees for museums ♦ tips
Flight tickets ♦ alcohol, soft drinks and other personal expenses ♦ entrance fees for museums ♦ tips
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival in Sofia city; transfer to a hotel in the city center; info meeting and a welcome dinner.
DAY 2. The first day of biking is dedicated to the local mountain biking paradise - Vitosha mountain, just 30 minutes drive away from the city center. Here, we have two options. One, is to do a loop ride up to Golden bridges area – famous for its stone rivers, and descend back to Sofia on a nice rolling trail. Another option is to attack the highest peak of the mountain -Cherni vrah (2290m), starting from 1840m. The descent from there is done on various terrain and single tracks with a stunning vertical drop of 1500m. In the afternoon we drive to Strelcha town in the foothills of Middle Forest mountain. The town is famous for the local Rose oil production and many thermal springs. There we are going to relax in the mineral water pools and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our hosts.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 600/1200m
DAY 3. On this day we start our exploration of Middle Forest mountain, famous for its lush beech and oak forests, vast meadows, and Thracian rock sanctuaries and temples. The ride includes an ascent of the highest peak of the mountain - Bogdan (1600m) and a long descent down to the architectural reserve Koprivshtitsa. With its colorful houses and old cobbled stone streets Koprivshtitsa is not only the best preserved 19th century town in Bulgaria but also a place of revolution, education and outstanding natural beauty. Overnight, we stay in a renovated 19thcentury house and enjoy traditional specialties for dinner.
Biking distance: 42 km, ascend/descend: 1200/700m
DAY 4. We start our day from Koprivshtitsa with a climb up the mountain, accompanied by superb views to the Balkan mountain range - our next destination. A thrilling 12km long descent will take us to another revolutionary town - Klisura. Here we will enjoy a barbecue lunch near the river and then drive with the van to the highest mountain pass of the Balkan mountains - Beklemeto. Our second ride for the day will take us near the imposing old communist monument - The Arch. From there we will follow the ridge, with great views of Northern and Southern Bulgaria, and do a 20 km descent down to Troyan town, famous for its unique traditional ceramics and plum brandy. We do a transfer to Veliko Tarnovo – the old capital of medieval Bulgaria, with its big fortress, 19th century old town and craft street.
Biking distance: 42 km, ascend/descend: 700/2000m
DAY 5. Our day starts an adventure in the trail network near the old Arbanassi village - 5 km away from VelikoTarnovo. There, we can do two different trails - used in one of the best enduro races in Bulgaria, and then travel to Bucharest, Romania. On the way we will stop for lunch in the beautiful historic town Ruse settled on the shores of Danube river. Accommodation in a hotel in Bucharest city center and free time for sightseeing. We dine in an authentic restaurant.
Biking distance: 20 km, ascend/descend: 600/600m
DAY 6. Early transfer brings us to the Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the imposing Bucegi mountain. Possible visit of Peles Castle in Sinaia on the way. We use the lift to the top(at 2200m) where we start biking on the ridge of the mountain. We climb up to Omu hut at 2500m, followed by mellow descent alongside the old borderline road down to Strunga Saddle at 1900m. From there, we go further down on a single track to Moeciu de Sus and Bran village, famous for the Dracula castle. We transfer (30min) to Magura village perched on picturesque meadows with great views to the stunning Piatra Crailui mountains.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 700/1700m
DAY 7. After a delicious homemade breakfast we ride a nice trail down to the beginning of the deep and rocky Zarnesti gorge. Next, we bike up all the way through the narrow rock walls of the gorge and reach a big meadow with great views to Piatra Crailui (King's stone) mountains. After a rest and picnic lunch we continue with a gradual descent to Peshtera village and then back to Magura village.
Biking distance: 35 km, ascend/descend: 900/900m
DAY 8. We start the ride with a pleasant descent through old neighbourhoods and big panoramic meadows down to Bran, where we can visit the famous Bran castle. From there, we continue with a climb on a panoramic gravel road that follows the border of Bucegi National park, until we reach Dihma chalet where we enjoy a good rest. Next, is a descent through the forest down to Azuga town. We transfer to the charming Brasov city for accommodation. We dine in an authentic restaurant.
Biking distance: 50 km, ascend/descend: 1000/1300m
DAY 9. Today we explore Postavaru mountains. We start with a climb to Poiana Brasov ski resort (or use the van up) and continue to Postavaru hut. We descend on nice forest trails in the Water Valley down to Brasov city. We stay in Brasov again or travel (2.45h) to Bucharest for the last night.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 500 or 1000/1000m
DAY 10. Transfer to Bucharest airport for departure.
DAY 2. The first day of biking is dedicated to the local mountain biking paradise - Vitosha mountain, just 30 minutes drive away from the city center. Here, we have two options. One, is to do a loop ride up to Golden bridges area – famous for its stone rivers, and descend back to Sofia on a nice rolling trail. Another option is to attack the highest peak of the mountain -Cherni vrah (2290m), starting from 1840m. The descent from there is done on various terrain and single tracks with a stunning vertical drop of 1500m. In the afternoon we drive to Strelcha town in the foothills of Middle Forest mountain. The town is famous for the local Rose oil production and many thermal springs. There we are going to relax in the mineral water pools and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our hosts.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 600/1200m
DAY 3. On this day we start our exploration of Middle Forest mountain, famous for its lush beech and oak forests, vast meadows, and Thracian rock sanctuaries and temples. The ride includes an ascent of the highest peak of the mountain - Bogdan (1600m) and a long descent down to the architectural reserve Koprivshtitsa. With its colorful houses and old cobbled stone streets Koprivshtitsa is not only the best preserved 19th century town in Bulgaria but also a place of revolution, education and outstanding natural beauty. Overnight, we stay in a renovated 19thcentury house and enjoy traditional specialties for dinner.
Biking distance: 42 km, ascend/descend: 1200/700m
DAY 4. We start our day from Koprivshtitsa with a climb up the mountain, accompanied by superb views to the Balkan mountain range - our next destination. A thrilling 12km long descent will take us to another revolutionary town - Klisura. Here we will enjoy a barbecue lunch near the river and then drive with the van to the highest mountain pass of the Balkan mountains - Beklemeto. Our second ride for the day will take us near the imposing old communist monument - The Arch. From there we will follow the ridge, with great views of Northern and Southern Bulgaria, and do a 20 km descent down to Troyan town, famous for its unique traditional ceramics and plum brandy. We do a transfer to Veliko Tarnovo – the old capital of medieval Bulgaria, with its big fortress, 19th century old town and craft street.
Biking distance: 42 km, ascend/descend: 700/2000m
DAY 5. Our day starts an adventure in the trail network near the old Arbanassi village - 5 km away from VelikoTarnovo. There, we can do two different trails - used in one of the best enduro races in Bulgaria, and then travel to Bucharest, Romania. On the way we will stop for lunch in the beautiful historic town Ruse settled on the shores of Danube river. Accommodation in a hotel in Bucharest city center and free time for sightseeing. We dine in an authentic restaurant.
Biking distance: 20 km, ascend/descend: 600/600m
DAY 6. Early transfer brings us to the Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the imposing Bucegi mountain. Possible visit of Peles Castle in Sinaia on the way. We use the lift to the top(at 2200m) where we start biking on the ridge of the mountain. We climb up to Omu hut at 2500m, followed by mellow descent alongside the old borderline road down to Strunga Saddle at 1900m. From there, we go further down on a single track to Moeciu de Sus and Bran village, famous for the Dracula castle. We transfer (30min) to Magura village perched on picturesque meadows with great views to the stunning Piatra Crailui mountains.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 700/1700m
DAY 7. After a delicious homemade breakfast we ride a nice trail down to the beginning of the deep and rocky Zarnesti gorge. Next, we bike up all the way through the narrow rock walls of the gorge and reach a big meadow with great views to Piatra Crailui (King's stone) mountains. After a rest and picnic lunch we continue with a gradual descent to Peshtera village and then back to Magura village.
Biking distance: 35 km, ascend/descend: 900/900m
DAY 8. We start the ride with a pleasant descent through old neighbourhoods and big panoramic meadows down to Bran, where we can visit the famous Bran castle. From there, we continue with a climb on a panoramic gravel road that follows the border of Bucegi National park, until we reach Dihma chalet where we enjoy a good rest. Next, is a descent through the forest down to Azuga town. We transfer to the charming Brasov city for accommodation. We dine in an authentic restaurant.
Biking distance: 50 km, ascend/descend: 1000/1300m
DAY 9. Today we explore Postavaru mountains. We start with a climb to Poiana Brasov ski resort (or use the van up) and continue to Postavaru hut. We descend on nice forest trails in the Water Valley down to Brasov city. We stay in Brasov again or travel (2.45h) to Bucharest for the last night.
Biking distance: 30 km, ascend/descend: 500 or 1000/1000m
DAY 10. Transfer to Bucharest airport for departure.
