Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)

An early-morning transfer brings us to Golyam Izvor village where the ride starts. We start cycling towards the town of Teteven. We will have an optional detour to the Glozhene monastery. After reaching Teteven, we will take a short break to explore the town and visit the local historical museum and church. Alternatively, you can opt for a short bike and hike tour to a nearby eco-trail. Afterwards, we continue cycling to Ribaritsa village where we will spend the night. B/-/D

Cycling distance: 47.5km; Ascent: 620m; Descent: 510m.

Detour to Glozhen monastery - Distance: 16km; Ascent: 430m; Descent: 430m.

We start today's ride with an ascent from Ribaritsa village to the highest point for the day - Bogoi pass (1185m a.s.l). From here, we continue cycling all the way down to the town of Troyan. We will pass through the village of Shipkovo, where you can take a refreshing bath in the mineral water swimming pools. After lunch in Troyan town centre, we will visit The Pottery and Craft Exhibition "Oreshaka" nearby and the famous Troyan monastery. We will spend the night in Apriltsii village. B/-/D

Cycling distance: 77km; Ascent: 970m; Descent: 1060m.

After breakfast, we start cycling along isolated village roads from Apriltsi to Gabrovo. En route, we will pass by numerous small villages, green meadows and river valleys. The cycling starts to with a moderate ascent, followed by a nice downhill ride before reaching the town of Gabrovo. After a short break in the town, we continue towards "Etura"- an open-air ethnographic museum. You can take a break here or add an additional 6km of cycling to the nearby Sokolski Monastery. B/-/-

Cycling distance: 61km; Ascent: 700m; Descent: 800m.

After breakfast, we start today's ride from Gabrovo. We begin with a short ascent, followed by a descent towards the town of Tryavna. Here we will take a short break for lunch and explore the charming old town. Afterwards, we are heading to the final stop for today - Bozhentsi architectural reserve. B/-/D

Cycling distance: 58km; Ascent: 1010m; Descent: 1000m.

A transfer in the morning brings us to the Dryanovo monastery. We will explore the beautiful Orthodox monastery and visit the cave nearby. Today's ride starts from the village of Yalovo towards the town of Elena, passing by several small villages and along the magnificent Iovkovtsi dam. B/-/D

Cycling distance: 46km; Ascent: 800m; Descent: 800m.

Starting from Elena, we continue cycling to the last point of the trip – Arbanasi Architectural Reserve. Today's landscape includes green meadows, vast pastures, cultivation lands, shrubby hills and finally the beautiful plateau over Veliko Tarnovo. We will take a short break for lunch in Arbanassi, before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo. Here we will do a sightseeing tour to learn more about the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Afternoon transfer to Sofia where we spend the last night. B/-/-

Cycling distance: 42km; Ascent: 600m; Descent: 730m.

Transfer to airport for departure. B/-/-