Explore Bulgaria's impressive rugged landscapes on this 8-day guided mountain bike tour
Bulgaria’s scenic Rhodope mountain range is a captivating patchwork of rugged peaks, lush valleys, and quaint, historic villages. Exploring this beautiful mountain range is best done on a guided mountain bike tour.
The Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour shows you the best that this intoxicating region has to offer on an eight day, two-wheeled adventure tour.
Using the region’s well-developed network of mountain biking trails, discover the natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, and warm local hospitality that make the Rhodope mountains an ideal place to spend your next adventure vacation!
Highlights of the Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour
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Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer to Trigrad
Welcome to Bulgaria! Arrive at the Sofia airport where your tour guide will meet you. Your tour begins with a drive deep into the heart of the Rhodope mountains to the village of Trigrad. Check in to your hotel and prepare for your tour with a trip briefing and a good dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel Arkan Han, Trigrad
Distance: N/A
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Cycle through Buynovo Gorge and Trigrad Gorge, Visit Devil’s Throat and Yagodina Caves
The first day of your bike tour shows you some of the most spectacular views in the Rhodope mountains. After breakfast, visit the well-known Trigrad Gorge and see the incredible waterfall at Devil’s Throat Cave. Then bike through a beautiful landscape to reach Yagodina for a picnic lunch and a visit to another stunning cave, the Yagodina cave. Follow the road through the impressive Buynovo Gorge and see more of the Trigrad Gorge, then return to your hotel in Trigrad for dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel Arkan Han, Trigrad
Distance: 31 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Ride through Mugla to Shiroka Laka
Leave from the hotel after breakfast and ride through vast meadows, which are a common sight in the Rhodope mountains. Ride through the remote village of Mugla, where time seems to have stopped. After a picnic lunch, ride up to a mountain ridge then descend again to the village of Shiroka Laka. This fascinating 17th Century village has preserved the architecture and culture of the Bulgarian Revival Period. Learn more about Bulgaria’s history and folklore here and enjoy a traditional dinner. Spend the night in a hotel here.
Overnight Location: Hotel Kalina, Shiroka Laka
Distance: 39 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Bike to Pamporovo
Today’s ride is shorter and easier. In the morning, climb in altitude via the road to reach the village of Stoykite. From here the trail is relatively flat and level as you ride to a hut in one of Bulgaria’s largest ski resort areas. After a picnic lunch, a short descent brings you to the well-known Pamporovo ski resort area. After checking in to your hotel for the night, you’ll have free time to rest or explore the area.
Overnight Location: Hotel Kiparis Alfa, Smolyan
Distance: 20 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Cycle to Rozhen Meadows, Prespa, and Manastir
Ride along the bike trail from Pamporovo to a special place called Rozhen Meadows. This is the site of a national folklore fair held every four years which is a symbol of Bulgarian freedom and unity. Here you can visit the National Astronomical Observatory. After a picnic lunch, continue to follow the trail through Prespa (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), which is the highest point of your tour. Descend again to Manastir, which is Bulgaria’s highest village at 1,450 m (4,757 ft). Stop here for dinner and to spend the night.
Overnight Location: Mitko Guesthouse, Manastir (1,450 m / 4,757 ft)
Distance: 37 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Bike to Chepelare
After breakfast, climb again back up to the main ridge of the mountain where you’ll find an incredible panoramic Rhodope mountain view. The range seems to spread endlessly in all directions, full of peaks and valleys, meadows and forests, and quaint towns and villages. Stop here to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a picnic lunch. Follow the trail along the top of the green massif, then end the day with a significant descent into the famous ski town of Chepelare, where you will eat dinner and spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel Rodopski Dom, Chepelare
Distance: 36 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Ride to Shiroka Laka
Leave Chepelare on a trail through a beautiful forested valley, then climb up to the meadows that overlook the valley. The trail here is flat and you’ll find a lovely place to stop and eat your picnic lunch. Continue to appreciate the views that surround you as you descend once again to the familiar village of Shiroka Laka. Return again to the same hotel and enjoy a traditional dinner on the last night of your tour.
Overnight Location: Hotel Kalina, Shiroka Laka
Distance: 32 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Travel to Sofia Airport, Departure Day
Sadly your Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour has come to an end. Depending on your travel plans, you will have free time after breakfast then return to the Sofia airport for your departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour Price and Dates
Enjoy your own private mountain biking tour through the Rhodope Mountains! Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 2-3: $2,150 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 4-5: $1,325 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 6+: $1,125 USD per person
Accommodation on the Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour
This tour is based in mainly family-run hotels. You will be accommodated in a double room, unless you will choose to pay a supplement for a single room.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Arkan Han, Trigrad
Hotel Arkan Han blends a rustic design, modern amenities, and a good time. This hotel has free Wi-Fi, a TV in the restaurant, a playground for kids, a library, and a bar.
Hotel Kalina, Shiroka Laka
In this beautiful hotel you will find everything you need: cozy rooms, free wi-fi and a great restaurant downstairs.
Hotel Kiparis in Smolyan
Not only does Hotel Kiparis offer mountain views, but it has a hot tub, an on-site spa centre, a sauna, a pool, and free Wi-Fi, as well as a bar.
Mitko Guesthouse, Manastir
Small charming hotel in small charming village – this guesthouse will surround you with a homey feeling.
Hotel Rodopski Dom, Chepelare
In this centrally located hotel, you will find a nightclub, bar and lots of other amenities. And location is great!
Hotel Kalina, Shiroka Laka
In this beautiful hotel you will find everything you need: cozy rooms, free wi-fi and a great restaurant downstairs.
What’s included in the Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights along the tour.
Transportation during the Tour
All necessary transfers for you, your luggage, and your bike are included during the trip. Airport transfers are also included.
Also Included
- English-speaking licensed mountain bike guide during the tour
- Mountain bike rental
- Biking equipment, including helmet
Not included
- Flights to and from Sofia
- Tickets to museums and historical monuments
- Beverages during dinner
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhodope Mountain Biking Tour
Adventure Trails is a boutique tour operator specializing in all kinds of outdoor-based tours in Bulgaria.
Adventure Trails creates innovative tours that capture the most special parts of Bulgaria. Clients looking for an adventurous and active trip can choose from trekking, biking, climbing, and cultural tours.
The accommodations and transportation during the tours are always carefully selected for their quality.
Learn MoreRhodope Mountain Biking Tour Map
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Local Guide
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Stoyan is one of the most experienced guides at Adventure Trails. He has 12 years of guiding under his belt. Stoyan is comfortable in all kinds of adventure activities, but he is especially comfortable when it comes to mountaineering.
- Q: What is your favourite tour to lead and why?
- A: I like every trip I guide, but my favourite are the winter snowshoeing tours, as this is when the mountains are at their best.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting Bulgaria should have?
- A: For active tourism, I would say climbing Mt. Vihren in the Pirin range. In terms of cultural-historical tourism, I would say visiting Plovdiv, the most ancient city in Europe. We like to combine both active and cultural-historical tourism in our tours.
- Q: What do your guests like best about the trips you lead?
- A: The fantastic scenery, the excellent food, accommodations, and hospitality, the perfect organization, the interesting conversations, and the berries in the forests!