{"id":5174,"date":"2016-09-29T11:13:17","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T08:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/?p=5174"},"modified":"2017-09-27T16:37:01","modified_gmt":"2017-09-27T13:37:01","slug":"mountain-biking-bulgaria-2-day-cross-country-trip-western-rhodopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/mountain-biking-bulgaria-2-day-cross-country-trip-western-rhodopes\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Biking in Bulgaria: 2-day cross country trip in Western Rhodopes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">A longer mountain bike trip has been on my to-do list for the last few months. And, thankfully,\u00a0we were able to spare a weekend in September and did our first <strong>cross country biking trip in the Bulgarian mountains.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">If you decide to go mountain biking, you should know that Bulgaria offers great opportunities for such adventures. With <strong>lots of\u00a0mountains<\/strong>, <strong>great nature and picturesque countryside<\/strong>, your choice will be worth it. The proximity of many mountains to the capital &#8211; Sofia, makes it easier to do a biking day trips every once in a while.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Our<strong> 2-day mountain biking adventure<\/strong> was more challenging than I expected but absolutely memorable and good for beginners. We did <strong>a cross country biking trip in the Western Rhodopes<\/strong> with amazing views to Pirin. Our experienced guide Lyubo from <a href=\"http:\/\/bulguides.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hiking Guide Bulgaria<\/a>\u00a0was super helpful planning our trip and explaining every detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>The preparation included:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">rented bikes and helmets from Bansko ~20 BGN per bike (10 Euro);<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">small backpack with some snacks, personal first aid kit,\u00a0headlamp, some warm clothes;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">sunscreen and sunglasses;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">comfortable shoes;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">water bottle;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">mountain insurance;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">experienced\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/bulguides.com\/hire-a-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mountain guide;<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">tons of good mood.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>The 2-day itinerary<\/strong>\u00a0included a train ride from Bansko to Avramovo, cross country biking from Avramovo to Ortsevo, a night in Ortsevo &#8211; the highest village in Bulgaria, downhill and cross country from Ortsevo to Banya. At the end we enjoyed the warm mineral waters in Banya, then we went back to Bansko and Sofia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Day 1: Bansko &#8211; Avramovo &#8211; Ortsevo<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5175\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/1.jpg?resize=800%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/1.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/1.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/1.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">The ride from Sofia to Bansko is a little more than 2 hours. So we took that a day before and decided to spend the night in Bansko &#8211; a famous ski resort in Bulgaria. There are plenty of accommodation options in Bansko for good prices (~15-20 BGN per night).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">In the morning, we rented our bikes from the local bike shop and headed to the train station. Our destination was <strong>Avramovo<\/strong> &#8211; the highest train station on the Balkans. We took the only active <strong>narrow-gauge train<\/strong> in Bulgaria, famous with the scenic road passing through the\u00a0Western Rhodopes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">After a 2-hour picturesque train ride, the cross country biking was on. We started around noon and cycled on a <strong>panoramic asphalt road around 2 hours<\/strong>\u00a0with little to no cars at all.\u00a0We\u00a0experienced some amazing views to Rila, Pirin, Rhodopes and rode\u00a0around several small and unspoiled villages around.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5176\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2015_0401_051633_002.jpg?resize=900%2C675&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain biking bansko bulgaria\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2015_0401_051633_002.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2015_0401_051633_002.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2015_0401_051633_002.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5177\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2-1.jpg?resize=900%2C675&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">For a complete beginner and not very regular biker, this part was absolutely okay. I was <strong>amazed by the scenery<\/strong>\u00a0so I stopped pretty often to take photos, to\u00a0<strong>enjoy the moments <\/strong>and probably to annoy my fellow bikers<strong>.<\/strong> Sorry, guys, but with\u00a0these views, would you blame me?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5197\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6399-1.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-bike-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6399-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6399-1.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6399-1.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6399-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5178\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6266.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-rhodopes-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6266.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6266.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6266.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6266.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">After a short\u00a0lunch break with some cows and dogs, we were headed to the most challenging part of the tour &#8211;<strong> an hour of uphill ride on a dirt road<\/strong> from Vranentsi to Ortsevo &#8211; our destination for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Now, this was a lot harder than I expected. <strong>Riding uphill<\/strong> was not my cup of tea but I\u00a0managed to reach the village my way &#8211; with more hiking and lots of rests ha ha&#8230;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5179\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/3.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/3.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/3.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/3.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/3.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5180\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/4.jpg?resize=1060%2C795&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"cross-country-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/4.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/4.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/4.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/4.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">After this quite tiring part of our Rhodopian journey, we reached our home for the night &#8211; <strong>Ortsevo<\/strong>. Hard to reach, unspoiled village in Velijski Rhodopes with one guest house, one small shop and <strong>scenic\u00a0views to whole Rhodopes and even nearby Pirin mountain.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5181\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6363.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain biking bulgaria ortsevo\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6363.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6363.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6363.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6363.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Bonding with a local man (<em>and a great storyteller<\/em>) over the <strong>most delicious dinner<\/strong> you can possibly have after a day of biking was the <strong>best end of the day. <\/strong>On top of that, the sunset\u00a0from our terrasse was\u00a0stunning&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5182\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"sunset-ortsevo-rhodopes\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?w=3872&amp;ssl=1 3872w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?w=2120&amp;ssl=1 2120w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/9.jpg?w=3180&amp;ssl=1 3180w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Day 2: Ortsevo &#8211;\u00a0Zlataritsa &#8211; Eleshnitsa &#8211; Banya &#8211; Bansko<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">We got up early in the morning and all ready to head off. The good news were that this time there was going to be more downhills to ride on, exactly what I was waiting for. But first things first &#8211; the delicious breakfast &#8211; <strong>home made cheese, yoghurt, banitsa and mekitsi,<\/strong>\u00a0coffee,\u00a0some tea and saying our goodbyes&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/10.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5183\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/10.jpg?resize=805%2C538&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"805\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/10.jpg?w=805&amp;ssl=1 805w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/10.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/10.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 805px) 100vw, 805px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">This time we had the chance to make some pretty good action shots&#8230; The <strong>long downhill<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>ride on a the dirt road\u00a0<\/strong>all over from Ortsevo to Eleshnitsa was one of the highlights of the trip&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5184\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6444.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6444.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6444.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6444.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6444.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5185\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-bulgaria\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Again, this part of the journey included lots and lots of<strong> scenic landscape views<\/strong>. We stopped at <strong>Zlataritsa<\/strong> to enjoy more of them and then in <strong>Eleshnitsa<\/strong> for a deserved lunch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">The view from Zlataritsa&#8230;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5188\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6410.jpg?resize=1060%2C710&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"mountain-biking-zlataritsa\" width=\"1060\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6410.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6410.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6410.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6410.jpg?resize=1024%2C685&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1060px) 100vw, 1060px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">From Eleshnitsa we had another 5 km on an asphalt road with some traffic. But our destination &#8211; Banya, was waiting with some <strong>delicious food and hot mineral pool<\/strong> &#8211; a deserved end of the 2-day mountain bike tour in this part of Bulgaria. We reached Banya around 1 pm, enjoyed a fresh salad and head back to Bansko with cars.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">All in all, this mountain biking trip was <strong>one of the best <a href=\"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/category\/bulgaria-2\/what-to-do\/\">adventures I&#8217;ve had in Bulgaria<\/a><\/strong>. This unspoiled part of Rhodopes was so beautiful and serene. You will have a great time if you decide\u00a0to explore the Bulgarian countryside and visit the mountains.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">ADDITIONAL\u00a0INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The biking is around <strong>25-30 km a day<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Suitable for\u00a0for people in <strong>good physical condition<\/strong> and <strong>minimum experience<\/strong> in mountain biking.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">This part of the Rhodopes is not touristy at all so I recommend you get in touch with an <strong>experienced mountain guide<\/strong>. Ours was Lyubo from <a href=\"http:\/\/bulguides.com\/hire-a-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hiking Guide Bulgaria<\/a>\u00a0who can help you with customized hiking and biking tours in Bulgaria, as well as\u00a0ski\u00a0tours and classes in Bansko or other areas\u00a0during winter. You can contact him at\u00a0info@bulguides.com or on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mgbulgaria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/bulguides.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.bulguides.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">This trip is a\u00a0great opportunity for a <strong>biking day trip from Bansko<\/strong>. You can also check other sample itineraries\u00a0for <a href=\"http:\/\/bulguides.com\/hiking\/what\/biking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mountain biking in Bulgaria.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Have you ever been on a mountain bike trip for more than a day?<br \/>\nWhat is your experience?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/travellingbuzz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travelling Buzz<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mgbulgaria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hiking Guide Bulgaria<\/a> on Facebook\u00a0for more travel tips and inspiration for Bulgaria!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A longer mountain bike trip has been on my to-do list for the last few months. And, thankfully,\u00a0we were able to spare a weekend in September and did our first cross country biking trip in the Bulgarian mountains.\u00a0 If you decide to go mountain biking, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[528,276,1,88,311],"tags":[586,399,583,555,584,585],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_6455.jpg?fit=1600%2C1071&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5174"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5174"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6755,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5174\/revisions\/6755"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}