In early April, with my friends we embarked on a nice cycling adventure in Rhodope Mountains.
We joined the Bulgarian organization Biking Tours, which organizes mountain biking adventures and so together with other like-minded people, for two days, we cycled and enjoyed the energy of the Rhodopes.
Early in the morning we loaded our luggage and bicycles into the car and set off from the Black Sea city - Burgas. On the way, we crossed many beautiful Bulgarian cities and villages. We stopped briefly at the Upper Arda Cascade to enjoy the beautiful view of the Arda River and walk on the cable-stayed bridge.
We traveled about 340 km by car to get to the hotel complex where we were going to stay.
The complex is located next to the beautiful Arda River, 32 km from the town of Smolyan. The Verbinski Most complex has a fishpond and a zoo, where you can see different animals such as kangaroos, llamas, ponies, different species of birds, and there is even a talking parrot.
The restaurant offered traditional Bulgarian dishes, including the famous Rhodopean patatnik, which I tried with pleasure.
Early in the morning we got ready and went on our first bike adventure.
Leaving the complex we headed to the village Varbina, riding bicycles on an asphalt road.
The village Varbina is located at 836m. above sea level.
Around the village there are plantations of white and black pine, spruce and beech.
We continue climbing on a narrow and poorly used asphalt road to Livade.
After crossing Livade, we continue cycling and after about 3 km we reach the village Studena.
Тhe local people heartily respond to our greetings.
Next is a climb to the village Borovina, which is one of the largest villages in the Madan municipality. In the village shop we take a long break before continuing.
In the afternoon the bike ride continues with a climb up. We need to get to the main ridge.
We cycle on a dirt road, the soil is sandy. Apart from puddles, we will soon pass through snowy areas.
We soon reach a gazebo, which reveals a magnificent panoramic view.
Here we take a long break before continuing.
We continue to a large junction for the villages Mile, Kupen and Gabrina.
We descend on an asphalt road, but shortly before the village Varbina, we decide to cross a dirt path.
Just then it started to rain lightly, and the trail became more and more interesting and at times lost.
We entered the village of Varbina, from where we will go up to the final point for the day - the village Cirka.
At the beginning of the village Cirka, a magnificent view from above to a beautiful meander of the Arda River is revealed. We enjoy it with pleasure.
Next is the descent to the complex for rest and overnight.
The route for the first day was: 31 km / + 980 m total ascent / -1000 m descent.
Relive from this cycling day.
The second day of our cycling adventure began with cycling on an asphalt road south of the Arda River, to the village Ravnil.
Potato production and animal husbandry are the main activities of the locals in the village Ravnil.
We continued to ride our bikes on a forest road that gently lifts us to the ridge near the town Madan.
We took a short break to a shelter where we poured clean forest water.
We continue to one of the neighborhoods of the next village - Arpadzhik. It almost landed on the Horsehead rock phenomenon.
We continued with the descent to the river Arda, passing the neighborhood Visokite.
Following an abandoned forest path, we reached a cable-stayed bridge.
We crossed it to the other side of the river.
We continue crossing the main road Smolyan-Kardzhali. We should pass through the village Leshtak.
Long climbs combined with beautiful views and meetings with local people busy with their daily activities.
We continue to the mountain ridge and the villages of Koriite and Leska.
The final section passes from the village Leska on a very old forest road, which reaches the banks of the river and our final destination.
The route that day was 26 km: + 930 m total ascent and -930 m descent
Relive from this cycling day.
I have accumulated so many positive experiences during these days in the beautiful Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains. I would love to come back again here one day for new adventures!
Thank you for stopping by!