8 Days Nature tour itinerary for Plovdiv, Velingrad & Sofia: Enjoy Rodopi Road Cycling Tour

Arrival at Sofia/Plovdiv airport and transfer to Sofia/Plovdiv city center for accommodation.

The cycling starts few kilometers before the village of Sestrimo and up to Belmeken dam (2000 m) through old coniferous woods. 

In the afternoon, the road passes the Lundola's mountain meadows before descending to the spa town of Velingrad.

 We stay overnight in a hotel with mineral water swimming pool. (Cycling distance: 76 km)

We begin few kilometers from Velingrad, passing through the picturesque landscape of Tsigov Chark countryside by Batak dam to the town of Dospat. 

On the way, we go round the blue-green waters of Goliam Beglik and Shiroka Polyana dams.

We will arrive at the town of Dospat and its dam, where we stay overnight in a hotel. (Cycling distance: 71 km)

The biking starts from Dospat via Borino town to the Buinovsko Gorge, which is also a gate to the next stop - the Yagodina Cave. 

Here we make a cave tour before going further to Trigrad village, passing among the 250 m high cliffs of the Trigrad Gorge. 

Here another sinister cave is expecting us - The Devil's Throat Cave, housing one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe. 

Overnight in Trigrad in a family hotel. (Cycling distance: 50 km)

A pleasant descent along Trigradska River brings you to the village of Grohotno and the natural rock phenomenon "The Elephant". 

Then we continue upstream Shirokolushka River to the village of Shiroka Luka. We stop here to savor the spirit of this architectural reserve, famous for its preserved houses dating back from the Bulgarian Revival Period. 

We pass by the beautiful Smolyan lakes and finish cycling in Smolyan town, where we stay overnight. (Cycling distance: 66 km)

Cycling from Smolyan to the historic place Rozhen. After a short rest, you go uphill to a big picturesque meadow at 1700m which marks the beginning of a gentle downhill ride in the direction to Laki town through “Momina Voda” protected area. 

Nearby is the picturesque village of Borovo and the famous religious place with chapels and healing springs – Krastova Gora. 

Overnight in Borovo. (Cycling distance: 39 km)

The downhill ride continues along Jugovska River valley to the main road Smolyan-Plovdiv. 

A short transfer brings you to the Miraculous bridges rock phenomenon for a short walk and sightseeing. 

The next stop is Bachkovo Monastery (the second largest in Bulgaria). 

Transfer to Plovdiv for overnight. (Cycling distance: 80km)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Sofia or Plovdiv airport for departure.