Introduction: Rodopi Mountains with their highest again. There is a cave waterfall - one On this incredible biking adventure you will peak Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are of the be immersed into the heart of the the oldest mountains on the Balkan highest underground waterfalls in gorgeous Rodopi Mountains, which Peninsula. Europe, 42 m high. provide excellent conditions for mountain Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small biking. Plenty of off-road tracks are waiting second Bulgarian city in population and village in the central part of the to be discovered amidst the greenery of size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of Rodopi Mountains, neighbouring to the land of the mythical musician and the oldest European towns contemporary Trigrad Gorge, famous for its 250 m singer Orpheus who entranced people, to Troy and Mikena. high cliffs animals and plants with his magical music. Bachkovo Monastery is the second Yagodina Cave is among the longest On this tour you will be able to cycle on largest Bulgarian monastery. caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000 different terrains, dirt, macadam, and Chepelare (1100 m a.s.l.) is a ski resort m mapped so far), considered to be isolated asphalt roads and paths. Also you that has Bulgaria's only ski and one of the most beautiful in Europe will be riding through forests, along deep snowboard equipment factory. with its outstanding stalactites, gorges, on ridges and hillsides. Remote The Wonderful Bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) stalagmites, columns, ponds and tiny villages with unique architecture and are 2 unique rock formation (about 40 m cave pearls in them. natural phenomena will add even more high) covering an area of 40,3 hectares. Itinerary flavour to the tour. As well as, meet Pamporovo (1650 m a.s.l.) is a modern Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv hospitable people, and experience local ski resort in the heart of the Rodopi Airport and transfer to Plovdiv for traditions and customs. Mountains. overnight (2 hours from Sofia). The Rodopi Mountains with the highest Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Numerous /dinner/ peak Goliam Perelik at 2191 m a.s.l, are houses preserving the typical Rodopean Day 2. The morning starts with a the southernmost mountains in Bulgaria. architecture, speech, songs and customs transfer deep into the mountains few The mountains border with Greece and of local people have given the village the kilometers after Studenets vacation are known to be the widest massif in status of an architectural, ethnographic area. The starting point is around 35 Bulgaria. Geologically they are the oldest and folklore reserve. km south of Plovdiv, located at 1390 land on the Balkans. This area is Gela village (1500 m a.s.l.) is one of the m a.s.l. The route begins on a dirt abundant with coniferous woods. The most ancient settlements in the Rodopi road, slightly downhill. It goes into the landscape is soft and oval. It also consists Mountains, being more than 3300 years shades of a lush mixed forest. An of rolling hills, high ridges and deep river old. Gela is believed to be the birth place uphill ride follows and then another valleys snaking alongside river basins. of the legendary musician Orpheus. descent, until you arrive at a remote This massif is home to 70% of the world’s Chairski lakes (1600 m a.s.l.) are and quiet village – Dobralak. From minerals, as well as 600 caves. A wide formed by land sliding. They are here you’ll encounter an isolated variety of plant and animal species can be declared protected area due to the asphalt road until the end of the found only here in Europe. The climate is presence of some rare plants, growing cycling stage for the day. For the next mild and pleasant throughout the year with within the peat there. 8-10 km, on the right, you’ll be able to more than 275 sunny days. The summer The Devil's Throat Cave has its name enjoy beautiful panoramic views over temperatures are never too from the fact that if you let something the green Rodopi Mountains. Next high, and the winter ones never to low. flow in the cave river it never comes out there is a climb into the village of Special highlights: Iavrovo, and after another 11 km, Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] only downhill cycling until we come to the picturesque Zornitsa village. Cycling by some magnificent sweeping last stop of the day at 375 m a.s.l. Cycling down to Zornitsa and its 3 remote panoramic views. The road then finishes at King Assen’s fortress built in neighbourhoods is a real pleasure. At descends to Kasaka hamlet and the the 11th-12th centuries. King Assen was about 1700 m a.s l. you will be enjoying village of Mougla. The next natural one of the most magnificent kings from the some fantastic panoramic vistas over the landmarks are the serene Chairski Second Bulgarian Kingdom. After visiting Southern Rodopi. Few kilometres after Lakes. They are home to some rare the fortress we go to the Bachkovo Zornitsa you arrive at the main road plant species. After 12 km of downhill Monastery by car. Afterwards we will Plovdiv-Smolyan (1100 m a.s.l.). There cycling along Livadnitsa River you’ll proceed to the overnight destination in the you will be collected by the driver who meet the driver and finish the day at village of Brestnik at the foots of Rodopi will take you to accommodation in the 1040 m a.s.l. The drive will take us Mountains. town of Smolyan (37 km transfer). through the marvellous Trigrad Gorge Cycling specifics: Distance: 41,2 km Smolyan is the largest town in the with its 250 m high cliffs. A few (25,6 miles); uphill cycling: 500 m (1,640 Central Rodopi Mountains, and is kilometres further on we will stop to ft); downhill cycling: 1000 m (3,280 ft); situated in one of its most scenic areas. visit The Devil’s Throat Cave with its cycling time: 4 hrs Cycling specifics: Distance: 29 km (18 underground waterfall. This amazing /breakfast, dinner/ miles); uphill cycling: 350 m (1,148 ft); spectacle is actually one of the Day 3. You begin again on the support downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft); cycling highest underground waterfalls in vehicle travelling 29 km south of Plovdiv. time: 5 hrs Europe. Finally, we travel for another The starting point is where the asphalt /breakfast, dinner/ 2 km to our accommodation in the road ends few kilometres before Lilkovo Day 5. Having visited the beautiful village of Trigrad. village (at 900 m a.s.l.). After some gentle Smolyan Lakes we continue about 15 km Cycling specifics: Distance: 37 km uphill biking you arrive at the beginning of uphill to the starting point of the day - few (23 miles); uphill cycling: 600 m the hamlet of Plochnik. At this point the kilometres away from the highest peak of (1,968 ft); downhill cycling: 850 m terrain changes to dirt road and leads the mountains – Goliam Perelik peak (2,788 ft); cycling time: 6 hrs directly to Lilkovo. Next you ascend until (2191 m a.s.l.) – a place where the /breakfast, dinner/ you arrive at an open space - the asphalt road ends at 1970 m a.s.l. In the Day 7. Before lunch you will ride a Hadzhiitsa countryside. Further up you beginning you cycle back downhill on the circuit route. First you start from the ascend to the Popova Rock countryside asphalt until you reach the main road hotel in Trigrad (1280 m a.s.l) to where you can stop for lunch. At the top of Smolyan – Stoykite. On the way you’ll be reach the village of Vodni Pad at a rise is Persenk hut (1750 m a.s.l) where surrounded by awesome panoramas. 1350 m a.s.l. and finally to come back you can have a coffee break. Then you Then the dirt track weaves through a to the hotel in Trigrad. The village of begin a downhill ride towards Orehovo dense forest. After a short while you Vodni Pad is situated near the Greek village. Once you reach the village of arrive at the Studenets hut and the border; you may see the border fence Orehovo you bike downstream alongside famous Pamporovo ski resort. Then the 200 m away from the village centre. the Oreshitsa River. The route follows the terrain changes as we join an isolated The track to the village climbs for the river until we finish at the village of Hvoina asphalt road. To reach the highest point first stage up to 1600 m a.s.l, and (at 700 m a.s.l.). From here you’ll be for the day you bike uphill for about 6 km then descends amidst meadows and collected by the driver and taken to the until you arrive at the Mechi Peak area at green forests. From Vodni Pad to town of Chepelare (21 km transfer). 1850 m a.s.l. From this point on you will Trigrad the track descends slightly Chepelare is Bulgaria’s highest town and be able to experience breath-taking following the route of the Trigrad is situated at a height of 1150 m.a.s.l. mountain landscapes. It is also from here River.