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

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. The salty breeze, the turquoise sea, and the sense of crossing borders under your own power make this day unforgettable. 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

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, shaking out your legs and soaking in your first taste of 

mountain air. 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: 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

coastlines, through olive groves, and up forested hills with panoramic views over the Aegean. Cool off with a swim at a hidden beach before rolling back to Velo Studios for one last evening of camaraderie and island charm.

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Overnight: Velo Studios – Thassos

Ride: 43.8 km ascent 1,009 m descent 1,303 m

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: 41.6km, ascent 1,001 m, descent 1,793 m

This ride takes you through the dramatic Buinovo Gorge, a narrow canyon carved by rushing rivers, before reaching the legendary town of Trigrad. Here 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

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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