"If I were to move to Sofia, the first thing I would probably have to do is get a dog. Then a mountain bike straight away. Dogs are omnipresent in Bulgaria's capital and bikes are obviously the number one mode of transport." Antonio Abreu (our Bulgaria explorer after the trip)
Although the fourth highest mountain in the country was declared a nature reserve in 1934, outdoor activities such as biking are permitted here. There is no such thing as a park ranger here anyway. "I've only seen one once before, and that was a fat guy on an old Russian moped," says Dobri as we crank up a gravel road to the trail entrance. It's not that nobody is interested, but there are simply not enough people or money to enforce the bans.
And which European capital has such a playground right on its doorstep? In the lower 850 metres of the mountain range, there is a network of trails that has been specially created for enduro and all-mountain bikers. There is also a 100-kilometre circuit around Vitosha, where the Vitosha 100, a cross-country race, is held in June. The mountain also has an upper floor that is difficult to access. Dobri has saved this for the afternoon: Cherni Vrach, also known as the "Black Peak". At 2292 metres, it marks the highest point of the Vitosha.
The MTB region of Bulgaria
Bulgaria is located on the eastern Balkan Peninsula, borders the Black Sea and has been a member of the EU since 2007. The capital Sofia is 1200 kilometres from Munich and can be reached by plane in 2.5 hours. Flights to Sofia cost from 150 euros. Currency: In Bulgaria, you pay in levs (100 euros equals 195 levs).
In addition to the city mountain Vitosha, the Balkan, Rila and Pirin mountains are also very popular with bikers. Some trails have been specially created by bikers and many routes are signposted. Nevertheless, it is not a good idea to go off on your own - unless you speak Bulgarian or Russian and can read the Cyrillic alphabet. Otherwise it could be difficult.
Guided MTB tours
- Bike Ventures: Dobri and his boys organise day and multi-day tours with and without shuttle. Info: www.bike-ventures.com and bikepark.borovets-bg.com
- Silvertip Tours: Enduro tours in Rila, Pirin and Vitosha, price incl. half board, support vehicle, lift tickets from 720 euros (for 7 people), individual dates. Info: www.silvertip.at
- Bike Adventure Tours: Stage tour from Sofia to the Black Sea. 10 days with lots of cultural programme, price incl. flight, accommodation, support vehicle, bike hire approx. 1923 euros, info: www.bike-adventure-tours.ch
- DAV Summit Club: Stage trail tour in the heart of the Balkans, 9 days with cultural programme and German-speaking guide, price without flight, accommodation/board, transfers and shuttle trips, approx. 1050 euros, two dates in August. Info: www.davsc.de/RAMBUL
Bike park
Below Musala, the Borovets bike park awaits with various descents of more than 1000 metres in altitude. Information in Bulgarian and English: www.borovets-bg.com
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 6/2018 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the issue in the DK shop reorder:
