MTB Bulgaria camp
Short description:
The hike starts at the high mountain Belmeken sports base in Bulgaria. In 6 days of the hike, we will cover 240 km, drive through the most impressive areas of the Rila and the Rhodope Mountains, get acquainted with the hospitable Bulgarian culture, enjoy the mountain roads, wildlife, and fresh air.
On this hike, we will travel with only light luggage. During the trip, we will be accompanied by transport that will transport our belongings. We will stay in hotels, guest houses, and cottages with all amenities and meals. A backpack with a capacity of 20-30 l will be enough for the trip.
Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12640477
7 nights in hotels, guest houses, rest houses
The group of travelers will be led by a Lithuanian / Bulgarian-speaking guide!
Day 1. Wednesday
Travel by plane Vilnius – Sofia (Bulgaria). From Sofia Airport, take a minibus to the Belmeken Sports Complex in the Rila Mountains. We stay at the sports base in double rooms with amenities. Dinner. Preparing for tomorrow’s march.
Day 2. Thursday
“Belmeken – Velingrad” 9:00. after breakfast, we sit on bicycles and drive along the roads of the Rila highlands to the Velingrad mineral water resort. Along the way we will admire the picturesque panoramas of the Rila and Pirin mountains. The route is not difficult, we will mostly go down. About 3 p.m. we reach Velingrad on fun tracks. We stay in a small hotel with a hot mineral water pool, where we can relax the body after the trip. Dinner. Overnight stay in hotel double rooms with amenities. Route: Belmeken – Velingrad Distance: 47 km; Driving time: 6 hours; Road surface: 100% gravel; Height difference: – 1400 m / +500 m; Techn. level: easy.
Day 3. Friday
“Velingrad – Lake Beglika – Lake Shiroka Poliana” 9:00 am. after breakfast, we sit on bicycles and drive from Velingrad to Lake Shiroka Poliana. We leave the Rila Mountains and reach the Rhodope Mountains with dirt and asphalt forest roads, along the way we pass the spruce-covered Lake Široka Poliana, the Mantarica and Beglika reserves, visit the Lepenica Cave. About 6 p.m. we reach the accommodation, we stay in a picturesque place near the resort of Shiroka Poliana, in four-bed wooden cottages with amenities. Dinner and relaxation. Route: Velingrad – Lake Beglika – Lake Shiroka Poliana Distance: 53 km; Driving time: 6-7 hours; Road surface: 30% asphalt, 70% gravel; Height difference: – 350 m / +1100 m; Techn. level: average.
Day 4. Saturday
“Shiroka Poliana – Zmejica – Buinovo – Trigrad” 9:00 am. in the morning we continue our journey around the Western Rhodopes. We reach the villages of Zmejica and Buinovo on fun forest roads, approaching the Greek border, and drive along the Bulgarian-Greek border. The final point of the route is the town of Trigrad, surrounded by rocks and gorges, we will reach it at about 6 p.m. We stay in a guest house, double rooms with amenities. Satisfied dinner and rest. Route: Shiroka Poliana – Zmejica – Buinovo – Trigrad Distance: 55 km; Driving time: 6-7 hours; Road surface: 20% asphalt, 80% gravel; Height difference: -1000 / + 800m; Tech. level: average.
Day 5. Sunday
“Rest Day Trigrade” After a few intense days mentioned, it is time to rest. In the Trigrade you can take a walk around the mountainous areas and visit the famous Devil’s Throat Cave. Unstoppable, you can cycle through the fun tracks that stretch nearby. Route: Trigrad area Distance: 0 km; Driving time: 0 hours. Road surface: 100% gravel; Height difference: -0m / + 0m; Technical level: lightweight.
Day 6. Monday
“Trigradas – Mugla – Gela – Šyroka Lyka” About 9.00 am. we start the hike. Initially, we climb the gorge into the area of the Cairo Lakes. After crossing the crossing, we go to the village of Mugla, from Mugla we climb up again and exit the forest roads to the village of Gela. Next to the picturesque panoramas, we descend to the beautiful town of Široka Lyka, located in a wooded valley. Here we will stay in a guest house, double rooms with amenities. Dinner and relaxation. Route: Trigrad – Mugla – Gela – Shiroka Lyka Distance: 45 km; Driving time: 6 hours; Road surface: 100% gravel; Height difference: -1300m / + 1300m; Technical level: heavy.
Day 7. Tuesday
“Šyroka Lyka – Čudnite mostove – Kabata – Orechovo” 9:00 am. we will continue the hike. On the roads and paths of the Rhodope Forest we climb to the natural phenomenon in Čudnite Mostów. We continue in scenic areas and head to the village of Orekhov. We will reach Orechov at about 16.00. We stay in a guest house, double rooms with amenities. Dinner and relaxation. Route: Šyroka Lyka – Čudnite mostove – Kabata – Orechovo Distance: 43 km; Duration: 6 hours; Road surface: 100% gravel; Height difference: -1200m / + 1100m; Techn. level: average.
Day 8. Wednesday
10.00 am we say goodbye to the Rhodope Mountains and take a minibus towards Sofia Airport. If time permits, along the way we will visit the legacy of the Roman Empire – the city of Plovdiv. Flight Sofia – Vilnius.