Dry Valleys Greenways
Cycling Tour
Dry Valleys' Greenways
6 days
Cycling Experience On Dirt Roads In The Nature Of Bulgarian Dobrudja. A half of the tour is on unpaved roads. Remarkable Guided Adventure Bike Tour
Review
This is an adventure bike tour which runs predominantly on dirt roads, byways and 3rd class roads. Dry Valleys’ Greenways emphasizes the diversity of the wild life areas, almost-lost cultural sites and cultivated rural lands. The trails entirely cover Suha Reka Natura 2000 Site and partly go through Harsovska Reka Natura 2000 Site. The highlights of the tour are the canyon of Suha River, the Thracian sanctuary Badjaliyata and the wildlife of the dry karstic valleys of Dobruja. The real charm of the adventure relies on the good weather so the best season is autumn.
| Cycling Tour: | DRY VALLEYS’ GREENWAYS |
|---|---|
| TYPE: | Guided |
| LENGTH: | 285 km (177 miles) |
| DURATION: | 6 days |
| NIGHTS: | 5 nights + 1 bonus |
| LOWEST POINT: | 44 m (144 feet) |
| HIGHEST POINT: | 372 m (1220 feet) |
| DIFFICULTY: | ADVENTUROUS |
Map
Highlights
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Canyon of Suha Reka
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Dry valley of Taban with Thracian rock sanctuaries and Gypsy communes
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St Marina Monastery and Dobrudja Pasture Landscape
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Old Center of Dobrich
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. We have tour details and safety instructions meeting. Take a short walking or cycling round trip.
Day 2 Cycling from Nikolaevka to Dobrich (distance 64 km; elevation +440m/-520m)
The route runs along Suha Reka exploring the open space landscape. Several times we enter the wild nature through fabulous greenways passing marshy dams, quite woods and lonely trees amid the fields. After St. Marina Monastery we keep cycling across the upper mild half of the Suha Reka Natura 2000 site. In the late afternoon we take the road to the city of Dobrich. Here there is a charming old ethno compound which keeps the craftsmen spirit of the 19th-century-bulgarian towns.
Day 3 Cycling from Dobrich to Onogur (distance 56 km; elevation +240m/-260m)
In the morning we head north biking among the vast wheat lands of Dobruja. Slightly get closer to one of the Suha Reka tributaries and following its course we’ll observe the forming of a huge canyon. Pedal on a dirt road to stay nearby the spectacular cliff area decorated with caves, rock hewn churches and galleries. We cross the flooded canyon to spend the night in the village of Onogur one of the few Tatar settlements.
Day 4 Cycling from Onogur to Bezmer (distance 63 km; elevation +330m/-290m)
Today start with road cycling aiming to reach the other Natura 2000 site called Harsovska Reka. Pedal the beautiful downhill which goes to Taban dry valley. Following the rutted road along the riverbed we admire the numerous mystic sanctuaries almost hidden by the trees. These Thracian sacred places which date back to 4th century BC were the refuge of Zalmoxis, Thracian orphic preacher, pronounced for a messiah and a god. Finely discover Badjaliyata the central religious complex carved in the rocks and bike out of Taban. Weaving among the scattered woods on well maintained dirt roads we stop for the night in the village of Bezmer.
Day 5 Cycling from Bezmer to General Kiselovo (distance 57 km; elevation +480m/-510m)
Don’t miss the unbelievable home-made breakfast as a beginning. Pedal whole day long across the border land between Ludogorie and Dobruja regions covered with endless fields and enjoy the isolated villages nestle down in the mild valleys. Just before our base for sleeping in the village of General Kiselovo stop en route to see the meandering through the steppes Karamandere River.
Day 6 Cycling from General Kiselovo to Nikolaevka (distance 52 km; elevation +410m/-310m)
The last day offers us biking on the closest to Black Sea but highest above the sea level section of Suha Reka Natura 2000 site. Very good dirt roads revealing distant panoramic views are on the way. Cycle around the springs of Suha Reka situated at an altitude of 370 m in a steppe area nearby Kalimantsi airfield. After having a delicious lunch at Kalimanski han and pigeon farm ethno complex we pedal again exclusively on greenways in the Natura 2000 site. Feel the relaxing atmosphere of the upper Suha Reka woody area reaching at the end the village of Nikolaevka our starting and finishing point.
What’s Included
- Transfer from/to Varna and Burgas airports to Plateau Cycling Center and to your accommodation at the day before and the day after the tour
- Bike without helmet (Helmets at your disposal by renting - 5 Euro a day)
- English/Russian speaking leader with local knowledge
- Map
- Accommodation during the tours at family run hotels and guest houses, spa and other hotels at the quality of 3 stars including breakfasts
- Entrance fees
- Four (4) Picnic lunches
- Refreshing drinks (non alcoholic) during the cycling time
- Support vehicle and luggage transfer
- Permanent technical bike support
- Medical insurance for Bulgaria
- BONUS for 2013 after-the-tour accommodation in the itineraries
Price and Dates
TOUR DATES: 07 June 2013; 23 October 2013
PRICE: 530 €
