Vasi - Routes

Dragoman

Some 40 km NW from Sofia, Dragoman loop offers hilly 50 km terrain with climbs up to 10% and elevation gain of 699 m. It's a picturesque road with perfect tarmac (especially the upper/northern part) and almost no traffic.

Distance Elevation gain Difficulty

50 km 700 m Intermediate

I go around this route counterclockwise, starting in Dragoman and heading east. The first 20 km (the whole southern length of the route until joining the main road) pass by the Dragoman marsh in the very begining and through several small villages, offering view to the Chepan mountain all the way. The main accumulation of the elevation happens in northern part of the route, passing through hills and wooded tarrain. The road there is narrow with numerous turns and two relatively demanding climbs: the first one starts just before Kalenovtsi village and continues 4,6 km (climb cat. 3); the second climb begins some 3 km (climb cat. 4) before Dragoman.

Godech -Smolcha - Kalotina

Dragoman - Godech - Smolcha - Kalotina - Dragoman

On this route you can easely make a Grand Fondo with descent amount of elevation gain.

The road to Smolcha can easely be part of Dragoman loop if you need some more kilometers and vertical elevation gain.

Once reaching in Godech, you have only 14 km long climb with 400 m elevation gain, this tiny route offers magnificent views. No traffic and overal good tarmac.

On the descending back you can take the retour at Ropot village to go straight (not exactly at this is a hilly terrain) to Kalotina via Golesh, Vradlovtsi and Stanyantsi. Note that the road at one point become very unmainatanant..

Another option to reach Kaloyina village and to enjoy a brand new tarmac is to follow the route of Dragoman loop, and from Kalenovtsi village you take the road to Kalotina via Berende village. The tarain is hilly, more ascends on the way back. There is option to close this loop back to Dragoman using the main road, currently under construction and loaded with heavy traffic from/to Serbia boarder. If you go back on the route you came from, you can enjoy the short steepy climbs and the country site.

Tip

There is an old railway crossing before reaching Kalotina.

Bankya-Divotino

My home route Divotino is a nice hilly terrain with perfect tarmac. Once you leave Bankya town and make the turn to Suhodol, the trafic drops sagnificantly. From there a smooth acsent begins leading you to the top point between the villages Malo Buchino and Golemo Buchino - a bridge over a busy highway, followed by long descent with nice turnes. The last kilometers from there passing through the Liulin village and offer short sections with ups and downs, good tarmac and almost no traffic.

Breznik

Usually I made this route as a prolongation of my home route from Bankya to Divotino.

Once you reach Divotino (named with its french translation village sauvage by a friend of mine) follows some 5,5 km descent to Pernik town. There are two routes from there to Breznik which you can connect and made a nice loop of 40 km, which I make clockwise: Pernik - Vitanovtsi - Yardzhilovtsi - Breznik and than via Babitsa - Meshtitsa back to Pernik. The section between Pernik and Vitanovtsi starts at the detour at Radina cheshma, at the end of the town, and is a nice 1,5 km climb with average gradient of 5,6%. The road then passes through the villages Vitanovtsi and Yardzhilovtsi and from there on to Breznik is surrounded by fields. The way back to Pernik is shorter - some 15 km and mostly descends; from Meshtitsa you have 2 km climb with average gradient of 4% and after that you can give full gas to Pernik. Pernik - Divotino offers now pleasant ascent of 1,8% grade. The traffic is low except those one in Pernik and the tarmac is very good.

Tip

While in Meshtitsa you can buy farmer's products (cheese and other milk goods) from the caravan at the center.

Belogradchik

This route is part of the annual tour of northeastern Bulgaria organized in the end of May or in beginning of June.

The whole route is very scenic made with the purpose in mind to show the beauty of this region. It passes through small villages, endless pastures, in full serenity and untouched nature. During the route there are few more demanding climbs: between Dolni Lom and Varbovo village; the 4 km before the Belogradchik (average gradient of 4,2%), the 2,5 km climb above the town (4,8% average gradient) leading to a steep descent with several hairpin turns in direction Oreshets; as well from Dolni Lom to Prevala (5 km with average gradient of 3,7%).

The roads are very well maintained with small exceptions.

Tip

There are enough places to fill up your bidons, but I noted three of them: in the beginning of Replyana village; after Varbovo village in direction to Belogradchik on your lefthand side; in the centre of Dolni Lom village.

Milanovo

Milanovo is small village located along the Iskar Gorge of Stara Planina, in the Vrachan Balkan above Lakatnik Station.

We climb Mianovo from the both sides: Varshets and Gara Lakatnik. From the north the actual climb begins from Gorna Bela Rechka village - 7 km with average gradient of 5,4% (2nd category). The route pass through wooded areas, the road itself is not maintained and in a poor condition until the actual climb; after that the road is in a decent to good condition till the top.

From the south side, Gara Lakatnik, Milanovo climb is also 7 km with slightly higher average gradient - 6,2%, again 2nd category climb. The road is in very good condition with numerious hairpin turns and offers amazing views.

Smolsko

This route is pretty enjoyable offering a variety of terrain with length of almost 90 km and elevation gain up to 1000 m.

Starting from Elin Pelin in direction to Gorna Malina, the hilly terrain with a smooth ascent will leads you in Baylovo, which is a crossroads in the both directions of the route. Leaving the village in direction Smolsko takes you on the freshly renewed road with brand new tarmac. So the descendant to Smolsko (6 km) is a small reward compared to the one that will follow.

When you make the detour from Petrich to Kamenitsa the picture changes dramatically: a tiny, imperfect road leads you up back to Baylovo. The main climb of 12 km (2 category) starts just after you make the detour in direction Kamenitsa and includes several short acsents, the longest of which is 5 km (3 category) starting right after Kamenitsa until Brestaka village.

Once back to Baylovo a descent leads you to Ognyanovo dam (beware the road surface) and than back to Elin Pelin.

Tip

While in Baylovo do not foget to stop for coffee and dessert at No Names restaurant, preferred place among the cyclists.

Papaz chair

The route from Sandanski to Gotse Delchev "rockets" you straight to cycling paradise: long steep climbs, snaky descents, wide open turns with great views, perfect tarmac, low traffic, woody areas to keep you cool from the heated sun.

I made this one starting from Katuntsi village with a light 9 km for warming up before reaching Gorno Spanchevo village and the beginning of the real stuff.

Gorno Spanchevo marks the start of this 22 km HC climb, which begins with a relatively easy 1,5 km before you approach the first of the two hairpin turns when the gradient ramps up. The following 3 km are pretty demanding at its 8-10%, so keep focused on your pace. The following kilometers untill the road sign to Pirin village detour give the necessery breath of air and relief in the legs before the second part of the sweet suffering. The last 2 km to the top - Popovi livadi (1430 m above sea level) are pleasantly flat. From there you have two options: either you go the same way back, or if the elevation gain of 1350 m is not enought for you, you can descent (13 km) to Gotse Delchev town for coffee break and after that cycling back to the starting point. I made the second choice. The snaky down road to Gotse Delchev will satisfied even most demanding love-descents cyclists with its steep and smooth turns.

Once in the center of Gotse Delchev town you'll find numerous cafes and shops.

After proper cycling break powered with a cake and cappuccino I get back on the road. The first 7 km to Dobrotino village gives you the opportunity to get back in the game and warm up for the second steeper part of the full 13 km HC climb. The following six kilometers with 7,4% average grade and elevation gain of 448 m (second category climb) made me staring at the bike computer counting back the remaining kilometers to Popovi livadi.

Definitely hard 90 km with total elevation gain of 2222 m, one of my favorite routes!

Tips

At the detour for Pirin village on your left hand side you will find a water fountain should you wish to fill up your bottle.

Mikrevo - Razdol

This one is 20 km HC climb with elevation gain of 1122 m. The first 5 km have average grade of 7% covering 355 m in vertical ascent, and the sturdy gradient doesn't stop there but continues until the detour to Tzaparevo, almost 14 km from the start. After that the climb ease off a little, becomes more narrow, pass through wooded terrain and ends at the ridge, where also ends the tarmac and starts the gravel. The road itself is quiet with almost no traffic, offers wide open turns with great views.

Sandanski loop

Sandanski offers numerios great routes including the above mantioned Tsaparevo and Papaz chair, but this time I tried the climbs Ploski and Igralishte. Ploski in bulgarian means "flat", but don't be fooled, there is nothing flat. This 2 category climb offers enough suffering taking into consideration the first km of 10% and the hit of 14% in the second half. Igralishte (1 category) in turn offers a very good "playground" for the climb lovers, 13 km with 745 m elevation gain.

Melnik with touch of heaven

Heading to Melnik and the Rozhen monastery the route offers perfect tarmac and hilly terrain. The last km to the monastery is pretty tough but the satisfaction is guaranteed. The small detour to Vinogradi and Harsovo is well worth. The route pass through vineyards and carried you away as you are in Toscana.

Kyustendil loop

This route makes a 67 km loop around Kolosh peak, part of Konyavska mountain, with elevation gain of 1200 m. Starting from Konyavo village the road passes through hilly terrain with numerious turns, ups and downs, litteraly without flats. The first kilometers are surrounded by cherry gardens. The whole section to Bobov dol is renewed with brand new tarmac; there is almost no traffic. The Konyavski pass (from Izvor village to Kuystendil) is part of the first class road net and is relatively busy; not too demanding in the ascent part and very steep from the col at 1020 m above sea level (at the detour for Bunovo village) in direction to Kyustendil; there are 12% grade sections.

Tip

A good place for lunch is Tavern "Angie" in Konyavo.

Dupnitsa - Boboshevo - Skrino

This route is marked by the perfect tarmac from Kyustendil to Dupnitsa. Fascinated I missed off the detour at Nevestino village so the loop was made clockwise instead of the first intention to go first the "river" section. After 35 km you reach Dupnitsa where you go south for another almost flat 15 km, there at the detour for Boboshevo starts the more "romantic" part parallel to the river. The nature is breathtaking and the perfect experience is obscured only by the non perfect tarmac. I made a little deviation in direction Skrino village and Ruen Monastery "St. Ivan Rilski". The last 2,5 km to the monastery are marked with average grade of 10% with some hits up to 30%.

The whole route is a little over 100 km long with elevation gain of 835 m.

Tip

In Boboshevo village you can stop for proper lunch at Tavern "Yana".

Kyustendil - Oltomantsi

This route leads to the state border with Serbia, offering relatively good tarmac and low traffic. The last village before the Oltomantsi is Dolno Uyno so I decided on the way back to make a small detour also to village Gorno Uyno. The road is tiny and absolutly desolate.

The section between Dragovishtitsa and Shishkovtsi villages is marked with smooth tarmac and open views to the beatiful nature around.

The whole route is 70 km with elevation gain of 500 m.

Krichim - Devin

Following the curves of Vacha river this 60 km route offers breathtaking views over 2 dams: the eponymous dam Vacha and Krichim dam, generating elevation gain of 1163 m. The route starts in Krichim village with 6 km climb (cat. 3) which ends at the dam wall of Vacha. The kilometers after that are mix and match of short steep climbs and descends. As you pass Mihalkovo village follows 8 km climb (cat. 2) up to the tunnel witch marks the top of the ridge. Right after the road begins snaking down to the Devin town.

Devin - Dospat

This is nearly 40 km route with overall elevation gain of 1000 m passing through hills and pinewood forests on low traffic roads. The first 10 km are almost flat preparing you for the most demanding climb on this route which begins when you aproach Teshel dam. The following 5 km, to Borino village, represent climb from 2 category with vertical ascent of 320 m. After that there are three short hills with subsequent descents and you find yourself in Dospat.

Highlights

After the detour for Zmeitsa village, passing the Karadjadere river, on your left hand side you will see an anciant Roman bridge (see pic. 3).

Velingrad - Sarnitza - Dospat - Batak

With its 125 km and 1930 m elevation gain this route pass by 5 of the most beautiful dams in Bulgaria.

I made this one divided by 2 parts with nightover in Dospat. Leaving Velingrad town you have a few kilometers to warm up and prepare for the 23 km (cat. 1) long climb, which itself includes few short steep sections. When you reach the Karatepe area, the ascent ends and marks the beginning of the most pleasant part of the route, all the way to the Sarnitza village and the Dospat dam. Before you reach the eponymous town, the road deviates from the dam and marks the begining of a 7 km climb (cat. 3) before the final 9 km descent to Dospat town, all through a pine forest.

The route from Dospat via Batak back to Velingrad begins with climb. Remember the last descent to Dospat? Now these are 6 km (cat. 3) climb up to the road sign for Batak. The next nearly 25 km passes by the dams Shiroka poliana, Goliam Beglik and Beglika, and offer the so beloved 2-5% grade. When you reach the Kartela area, the top of the ridge, begins the 30 km long descent to Batak (you'll see the dam as well) and Velingrad.

Belmeken

The most famous "hill" in Bulgaria is 26 km HC climb with elevation gain of 1450 m. Starting in Sestrimo village almost immediately the gradient ramps up to 10-11%, only short sections are relatively easier. The route with its numerous turns becomes more tiny with the elevation gain, twists between high hills and pine forests and leads up to the dam wall. Bear in mind that the temperature drops very quickly as the sun hides behind the high trees and the hills. The wind jacket can be a lifesaver.

Logodaj

The route starts from Blagoevgrad and leads to the North Macedonia border. Permanent ascent with an elevation gain of over 800 m, very nice views, good tarmac and relatively busy traffic.

Beklemeto pass

Beklemeto pass amazes with its breathtaking views and nature beauty. Situated in the central part of Troyan Mountain (part of Central Stara Planina) this mountain pass connects the towns Karnare and Troyan. Due to its high altitude (1525 m above sea level) and heavy snowfall and snowstorms in the area during the winter season, the pass might be closed to traffic.

I made this one starting from Rozino village, some 7 km before Karnare. The whole climb is 22 km HC category with elevation gain of 984 m. The route is part of the state road net with good tarmac and relatively light traffic. The climb begins with several hairpin turnes offering great views to the valley and the sneaking road below. Approaching the higher end of the pass, even in the begining of May, there are remaining snowdrifts.

Tip

At the top of the pass is the monument Arch of Freedom.

Shipka pass

Shipka pass is famous mountain road connecting Kazanlak and Gabrovo towns. The south climb is 12 km, second category with average gradient of 4,7% (second category); the north climb is some 13,6 km with average gradient of 5,0% (first category). The route has numerous turns passing through wooded terrain and offers magnificent views from the summit.

I made this one starting in Pavel Banya, which offers you some 14 relatively flat kilometers for warming up before the beginning of the ascent. There are several places along the way to fill up your bidons, as the most colorful one is at Sheynovo village on your left hand side (see the pic below). The ascent to the summit (1190 m above sea level) is constant, with some short, relatively flat sectors marked with water fountain signs or car park places.

The descent in direction north to Gabrovo is 15 km long plus another 5 flat kilometers till the center of the town. There are numerous cafes and restaurants for descent lunch, but keep in mind the return ascent back to Shipka summit, which Is slightly steeper than the south one. Gabrovo stretches along Yantra river and is known as the capital of the humour and satire.

The whole route is part of the state road system, the tarmac is very good, and the traffic is moderate. The weather conditions are changeable, so be prepared; long sleeved wind jacket is a lifesaver on the long descents.

Tip

On the ridge is the Monument of Freedom, dedicated to the heroic defense of the pass by Bulgarian volunteers and Russian troops during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War (1877 - 1878).

Buzludzha

Buzludzha is a 13-kilometer first-category climb with an average gradient of 5,6%; offering nine hairpin turns with long straight sections. The tarmac is tolerable with the remaining sand after the winter period. The traffic, if any, is mainly from tourists visiting the monument at the top.

There is a route connecting Buzludzha and Shipka.

Tip

At the top (1441 m above sea level), you will see Buzludzha, the largest ideological monument of the communist regime in Bulgaria.