'BIKING IN BULGARIA' IS A COFOUNDER OF THE BULGARIAN CYCLING ASSOCIATION

Bulgaria is a beautiful country. Unfortunately not so famous as a tourist destination and many people first ask where it is situated. The best way to see its nature is to go biking.

The idea to build this site came after I read the report of a group of bikers who passed through Bulgaria in 1999 on their way to Istanbul. They were disappointed by their journey - bad hotels, depressing 'post communist' ruined buildings, people not smiling - they felt as they are 'behind the iron wall'. Unfortunately I believe this was so and my only statement is that they were on the wrong place in the wrong time.

Since I have experience of biking in other countries I must admit that in Bulgaria it is not possible to go biking from one point to another without accurate planning, checking the accommodation availability, road quality and so on. Except the black sea coast and some 'tourist points' the infrastructure is not developed, road signs are in poor condition (in many places missing) and public transport (bus and railroad) is not reliable.

At this point I should say that I disagree with many Bulgarians who will tell you how bad it is in Bulgaria and how difficult life is. All the problems I have described above should not stop you see the nature and the beauty of Bulgaria. You just need to plan your journey a bit more carefully or rely on good guides.

I remember a funny story - first time I went to Marseille (by car) I stopped at a gasoline station at the entrance of the city and asked the boy (a guy from Lebanon) where should we go to find a hotel. He took a map and made a big circle around the west part of the city and said - " you shouldn't go there - that's where I live. They may steal your car or rob you." I was shocked because I knew that here is where the Riviera starts ….

Well, I will start by 'where in Bulgaria you shouldn't go by bike!

First, stay away from the big roads - especially in summer the traffic is dangerous - it is not so intensive as in any European country but as a 'compensation' (let me be polite) - some of the Bulgarian drivers are not polite and will not keep distance when overtaking by you.. Another 'extra' is the high speed - the Mediterranean mentality of driving is perfectly presented in Bulgaria - any owner of a BMW will drive up to the limit which sometimes looks 'unlimited'.

The north and north-east areas are not recommended for biking - there are no forests and mountains, most towns and villages are neglected, it is hard to find a good hotel or even a lodge. Another area to be avoided is the Thracian valley (the are around Plovdiv and Stara Zagora) - and eastwards to the Black sea - mostly industrial and agricultural area, no forests.

A third dangerous area is the Black Sea coast! During the summer the traffic is very intensive and there are parts of the main road (entrance and exit of Varna and Bourgas, the mountain road between Obzor and Slanchev Briag and the section between Sozopol and Primorsko.) that can not be bypassed through parallel secondary roads. Have a look at our Black sea coast tour for a reference where to pass from.

In case you intend to cross Bulgaria from Rousse (or any other checkpoint at the Romanian border in the north-east Bulgaria) down south to Istanbul you will have to cycle through both 'not recommended for biking' areas - the north-east Bulgaria and/or the Black Sea coast. So, here in our proposal for your route.