Arrive in Bulgaria’s vibrant capital, a city where Roman ruins sit beside Orthodox domes and lively cafés spill onto cobbled streets. Settle in at the welcoming Kapri Hotel and savor your first taste of Bulgaria before the mountain adventure begins.

Overnight: Kapri Hotel – Sofia

Today the ride grows wilder as you pedal deeper into the Western Rhodopes, a land of thick pine forests and hidden valleys. Trails lead you far from roads and villages until you reach Chatama Huts, a rustic forest outpost where the stars blaze overhead and silence wraps around you. Falling asleep here feels like a return to the ancient rhythms of the mountains.

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Overnight: Chatama Huts – Горски Център Чатъма

Ride: 42.2 km ascent 1,119 m descent 327 m

26.2 miles, 3,671 ft ascent
1,073 ft descent

This is the moment the whole journey builds toward: riding across the Rhodopes, you cross from Bulgaria into Greece, linking two worlds on two wheels. From the rugged mountains you descend to the Greek lowlands, transfer to the coast at Keramoti, and board the ferry to Thassos Island. Settle in at Velo Studios, home of Thassos’ legendary “MTB man,” where cyclists gather to share stories and prepare for island trails.

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​Overnight: Velo Studios – Thassos
Ride: 61.5 km ascent 830 m descent 1,958 m

38.2 miles, 2,723 ft ascent
6,424 ft descent

Leave the bustle of Sofia behind and journey into the high peaks of the Rila Mountains, pausing to explore the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most sacred landmark with its fresco-covered walls. In the afternoon, you’ll get fitted to your bike and enjoy a short warm-up ride through the surrounding countryside. That night, experience true Bulgarian hospitality at Deshka Guest House, where homemade meals and

heartfelt warmth welcome you in.

Overnight: Deshka Guest House (near Bansko)

Ride: Afternoon ride around 16km 

Pedal through some of Bulgaria’s most storied valleys, where every bend in the trail carries whispers of Thracian legends and village traditions. The day ends in the quiet hamlet of Buinovo, where the Guest House Orlets offers hearty food, warm smiles, and the kind of mountain hospitality that stays with you long after you leave.

Overnight: Guest House Orlets – Buinovo​

Ride: 52.4 km  climbing 723 m descent 966 m

32.6 miles, 2,372 ft climbing
3,169 ft descent

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Spend your final day on two wheels exploring Thassos, one of Greece’s most stunning islands. This ride takes you along dramatic coastlines, through ancient olive groves, and up quiet forested climbs with sweeping views over the Aegean. The route is a perfect mix of flowy sections and challenging ascents — the kind of ride that makes you feel fully alive.

Cool off with a swim at a hidden beach, savor a slow lunch by the sea, and then roll back to Velo Studios for one last evening of camaraderie, island charm, and that “we did something incredible” feeling.

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Overnight: Velo Studios – Thassos

Ride: 43.8 km ascent 1,009 m descent 1,303 m
27.2 miles, 3,310 ft ascent
4,275 ft descent

Begin your first big ride in Ortsevo, Europe’s highest inhabited village, where sweeping ridgelines stretch as far as the eye can see. The trail drops you into the spa capital of Bulgaria—Velingrad—where mineral springs bubble up in every corner of town. Reward yourself with a long soak and let your muscles recover at the comfortable Devi Spa Hotel, a perfect blend of adventure and indulgence.
 

Overnight: Devi Spa Hotel – Velingrad
Ride: 43.9km, ascent 977m, descent 1,793 m

27.3 miles, 3,205 ft ascent
5,883 ft descent

This ride takes you through the dramatic Buinovo Gorge, a narrow canyon carved by rushing rivers, before reaching the legendary town of Trigrad. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Devil’s Throat Cave, said to echo with the voice of Orpheus himself, and marvel at towering limestone cliffs. Spend the evening at Family Hotel Silivryak, surrounded by folklore, mountain air, and the thrill of riding in Europe’s wild frontier.
 

Overnight: Family Hotel Silivryak – Trigrad

Ride : 22.4 km ascent 486 m descent 534 m

13.9 miles, 1,594 ft ascent
1,752 ft descent

Your adventure comes full circle as you say farewell to Thrace, carrying home not just memories of spectacular rides and landscapes, but the knowledge that you helped sustain conservation in the wild Rhodope Mountains. Few journeys let you cross borders, cultures, and ecosystems in such a powerful way.

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