III. D    South - East Region

CONTENT

      1. From Nova Zagora to border checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo, or border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voivoda.

      2. From Yambol to border checkpoint Lesovo (road N7).

      3. From Burgas to border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo (road N 9) and from Burgas to Tsarevo to Malko Tarnovo (road N 99).

IMPORTANT !

      The first of all pay attention on borders checkpoints in the South - East Region.

      Have in mind that the traffic on the border checkpoint I surround in red is very busy, especially in border checkpoint Svilengrad.

     According to bicyclists pedal this route and share their experience with me, It would be better pedaling in either direction to edirne, to enter in Greece and go through border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

     August '17 I explored just this area and I can say there was not traffic - I crossed the border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda for minutes without any problems - photos below show it is an empty roads. The situation now is still the same.

      I am sure the same it will be in the border checkpoint between Greece and Turkey.  

1. From Nova Zagora to Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voivoda - Ormenio (E554)

      Here I will show two nice routes:

route a

      1.1 From Nova Zagora (road 554) to Dyadovo to Bogdanovo to Lyubenova Mahala to Radnevo to Beli Bryag to Obruchiste to Galabovo to Pyasachevo to Kalugerovo to  Simeonovgrad to Harmanli (road 8) to Lyubimets to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

route b

      1. 2 From Nova Zagora (road 54) to Radevo to Mlekarovo to Novoselets to Radetski to Polski Gradets to Madrets to Glavan to Dripchevo to Pastrogor to Svilengrad to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

      Maybe the second route is the better one considering the traffic - route b definitely has less traffic; as it can be seen later, there are more hills. You have to climb Sakar Mountain, which is not so high.

      I will describe both routes in parallel.

Sector III. D - 1, route a

(road 554)

      The route is:

      From Nova Zagora to Dyadovo to Bogdanovo to Lyubenova Mahala to Radnevo to Beli Bryag to Lyubenovo to Obruchiste to Galabovo.

      Starting from Nova Zagora down toward Galabovo pedaling this section is pleasant and easy. There are a lot of villages along the road, food and water is available everywhere. The road is wide, in very nice condition. It is not a busy road, although heavy trucks pass by from time to time. Camping in the wilderness areas is very nice.

     Overnight accommodations in Radnevo and Galabovo are available.

Information for Nova Zagora is available here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/sliven/nova_zagora/nova_zagora                 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Zagora

      Starting from Nova Zagora down toward Galabovo the pedaling is pleasant and easy. There are a lot of villages along the road, food and water are available everywhere. The road is wide, in nice condition.

The big tire next to the road entering in Lyubenova Mahala shows that there is a little shop where you repair a flat tire

you might have or ask for some tools or mechanical help if needed.

 Overnight accommodation in Radnevo is available. Some information for Radnevo:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/stara_zagora/radnevo/radnevo

Overnight accommodation in Galabovo is available. Some information for Galabovo can be found here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/stara_zagora/galabovo

The area between Radnevo and Galabovo is a zone of coal mining. Three big steam electricity plants

operating here producing more than 40% of the electricity for the country.

Sector III. D - 1, route b

(road 55)

      The route is:

      From Nova Zagora to Radevo to Mlekarevo to Novoselets to Radetski to Polski Gradets to Madrets.

     Comparing with the route a, route b is in a hilly area.

      This road is no busy and is a much better road for bicyclists.

      All of the next photos were taken in the middle of beautiful dry and sunny May '22.

The route after Nova Zagora starts with a not long and not steep hill after crossing of the motor road A1.

I think there are food shops in all the villages along the road, Madrets for sure.

The next photos were taken in the early September and illustrate the same area (Matsa,  Polski Gradets and Madrets).

Sector III. D - 2, route a

(roads 554 & 8)

The route is:

From Galabovo to Pyasachevo to Kalugerovo to Simeonovgrad to Harmanli to Lyubimets to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

      The route is easy and pleasant for touring in either directions. Food, restaurants, hotels are available in the towns along the road.

Next several photos are the countryside from Galabovo toward Simeonovgrad. Food shops in Pyasachevo and Kalugerovo are not available.

The next little town is Simeonovgrad, I am not sure if overnight accommodation is available in it. No much to say about it:   http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/haskovo/simeonovgrad/simeonovgrad

      The road 554 from Simeonovgrad to Harmanli is busire, I think it is not dangerous.

Harmanli is a small town, accommodations are available in it. Information for the town:

https://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/harmanli/harmanli.html

Some information for Lyubimets is available here:     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyubimets

The are overnight accommodations in Lyubimets is possible. If you follow the local road between Lyubimets and Svilengrad, you will be on a road without any traffic.

Here is another suggestion. To avoid the overcrowded border checkpoint at Kapitan Andreevo (directly to Edirne),

it might be better to use the border checkpoint at Kapitan Petko Voyvoda to enter Greece, and after 50 km to enter Turkey. The signs pointing all the directions are available everywhere.

vernight accommodations in Svilengrad are not a problem. If you follow the local road you will find the road free of traffic. Some information for Svilengrad  it is available here:

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/svilengrad/svilengrad.html

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/haskovo/svilengrad/svilengrad

     The traffic on A4 to the border checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo (Bulgarian/Turkish border) is always intense, it will be better to enter Greece (border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda first, and after enter Turkey:

      From Lyubimets to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voivoda (E85) to Omerino (in Greece) to Kastanios to Greece/Turkey border to Karaagach to Edirne.

      Look back in the beginning of the Chapter !

Sector III. D - 2, route b

(road 55)

The route is:

From Madrets to Glavan to Dripchevo to Miladinovo to Pastrogor to Svilengrad to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

      As can be seen from the road profile chart, here you have to climb Sakar Mountain, starting just after Madrets.

      The road is not steep in either direction. Pedaling here is a real pleasure, and there is very little traffic. Food shops are available in Glavan and Pastrogor. I do not remember if food is available in Mladinovo and Dripchevo.

2. From Yambol to Border Checkpoint Lesovo

(road N7).

Route a

From Yambol to Elhovo to border checkpoint Lesovo to Edirne.

       The border checkpoint Lesovo is a convenient place to cross from Bulgaria into Turkey, although I do not recommend it, it is better to avoid it because of the traffic including heavy trucks driving madly. The traffic has increased considerably over the last several years.

      The road N7 itself along Tundzha river is in very nice condition. The area is almost flat as can be seen in the photos below.

       I encourage you to look at the next route:

Route b

      From Yambol to Svilengrad to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda toward Greece (and Turkey as well):

      Towards Greece and/or Turkey, from Yambol use border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda (I recommend it instead the previous route, although it is longer and more climbing):

      From Yambol to Roza to Botevo to Meden Kladenets to Skalitsa to Ovche Kladenets to Matsa to Polski Gradets to Madrets to Glavan to . . . . . . Svilengrad to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda, or border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

Information and several pictures from Yambol:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yambol                   http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/yambol/yambol-city/yambol

Route a

From Yambol to Elhovo to border checkpoint Lesovo to Edirne.

      The next several pictures are taken between Yambol and Elhovo, I have pedaled only this road segment. The traffic here is intensive, although it can not be seen from the photos.

Very little information about Elhovo is available here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elhovo                             http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/yambol/elhovo/elhovo

Route b:      

      As I have mention, the traffic along road N 7 is intensive. I do recommend towards Greece and Turkey, from Yambol, you can use border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda. YES!  It is longer and there is more climbing involved. But, it is a much safer route:

      From Yambol to Roza to Botevo to Meden Kladenets to Skalitsa to Matsa to Polski Gradets to . . . Svilengrad to

to border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda, or border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

      On the route to Greece and Turkey, from Yambol you can use border checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda. I recommend it instead the previous route, although it is longer and more climbing is involved. Pedaling here is a pleasure.

The next photos were taken in the extremely hot August '23. They illustrate the  area between Yambol and  Meden Kladenets. The road is nice. There is a minimal traffic here.

3. From Burgas to Border Checkpoint Malko Tarnovo

     As I have mentioned previously, the border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo is a better place to cross Bulgaria -Turkey border rather than border checkpoint at Kapitan Andreevo, or Lesovo.

      The next are the routes I can recommend here:

The route a (road E87):

From Burgas to Marinka to Krushovets to Zvezdets to Malko Tarnovo to border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo.

      The area around Strandzha Mountain is not a very popular area with locals so it can be rather quiet and isolated. E 87 is an international road, the traffic is minimal, countryside is extreme beautiful.

The route b (road N99):

      For bicyclists deciding to explore the seaside, a nice alternative route here is the road from Burgas to Tsarevo to Malko Tarnovo - route b on the map (road 99):

From Burgas to Chernomorets to Sozopol to Primorsko to Tsarevo to Balgari to Gramatikovo to Malko Tarnovo to border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo.

      Make note: The traffic between Burgas and Primorsko in the touristy season can be very busy.

     For details look also in the Chapter IV: Bicycling along Black sea side

The route c:

      This route is an opportunity only for experienced travelers:

From Burgas to Primorsko to to Pismenovo to Vizitsa to Gramatikovo to Malko Tarnovo to border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo.

      The road segment from Pismenovo to Vizitsa is off road, in the wood, without any signs.

Route a

The route profile chart shows that hills here are not long and steep.

Burgas is a big Bulgarian town at the sea coast. I love its Sea Garden. Information for Burgas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgas http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/bourgas/bourgas/bourgas

Some of my tours finish in Burgas. I return home by a train. The Burgas rail station is very convenient to load bikes on the train. The train is there an hour prior to departing. Several photos from Burgas and its Sea Garden:

West from Burgas is placed the Lake of Burgas:            https://bulgariatravel.org/en/lake-burgas/

And the last big lake west from Burgas - it is Mandra Dam and reserve "Poda":

https://bulgariatravel.org/the-poda-nature-preserve/

Leaving / Entering in Burgas

     The traffic from Burgas toward Sozopol and Primorsko during the tourist season (10th of July to 5 - 6th of September) is crazy. I strongly suggestion avoiding it. There are several very dangerous road segments. Pedaling here is extremely dangerous. Follow my suggestion and you will be able to avoid this truly unpleasant situation.

      IMPORTANT !   Leaving Burgas toward point A, next to road 99 there is a bicycle lane (the red dashed line from the side I point). GOOGLE MAP DOES NOT SHOW this lane !!!

      I encourage bicyclists to take this lane. If you enter in Burgas, you will find the lane at Point A just after an old iron bridge at the point A (the map in left).

      If you leave Burgas, it is the lane along the seaside next to the sea garden toward Burgas Line Station and so on. You will be not wrong following it.

      The next three photos (taken in early June, still out of the heavy tourist season) shows the motor road when leave Burgas (to point B);

      Now I will increase a little the scale. On the map in left: There is no way to avoid the road between point A and point B. If you are pedaling from Burgas to Sozopol, using the velo lane, just after the old iron bridge my advise is to walk 450 meters against the traffic to the complicated overhead crossing. There, try to find the local road (the old road) toward Sozopol.

      If you are leaving Burgas and pedaling along the motor road, you have to orientate when you are on the overhead crossing - the red dashed line on the next scheme.

      The next several photos are just there.

The short walk between points A and B is not dangerous, there is enough place, as it can be seen in the second photo below. Toward border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo follow the road toward Marinka and Malko Tarnovo.

      if you have to head to the south without visiting of Burgas City center, an opportunity to reach Marinka from Burgas via the Wall of Mandra Dam is shown on the map in left. Head of first toward Meden Rudnik Suburb.

      Pedaling along the dam wall, from your right is the dam, at your left - Reserve Poda.

 Information for Mandra Dam and Reserve "Poda":

https://bulgariatravel.org/the-poda-nature-preserve/

      Most of this area is Strahdzha Nature Park. It is the largest protected area on the territory of Bulgaria that stretches over 1161 sq km. It was declared a protected area by virtue of Ordinance No. RD350 of 14 July 2000. It is located in the southeastern part of country, its southern

border coincides with the Bulgarian sovereign border with Turkey, and it spreads as far as the Black Sea Coast to the east. The Nature Park lies on the territory of Strandzha Mountain which spreads in both Bulgaria and Turkey. More information for it can be seen here:

The last photo above is a typical view from Ztrandzha Mountain. The next several photos are the countryside towards Zvezdets. Food can be find out in Zvezdets, Krushevets and Marinka.

Information for Malko Tarnovo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malko_Tarnovo

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/malko_tarnovo/malko_tarnovo.html

      Information for Malko Tarnovo, Strandzha Mountain, saved zones, accommodation:

http://www.strandja.bg/en/info/57-Malko-Tarnovo-en

http://www.discoverstrandja.com/

http://www.strandja.com/index.php?lg=en

Route b

      I will not write about this route from Burgas to Tsarevo here, a very detail description for it can be seen in the details in:

       Chapter IV. Bicycling along Black sea side

      Please, only have in mind that the traffic between Burgas and Sozopol in the touristy season can be very busy.

The route b is:

From Birgas to Tzarevo to Izgrev to Balgari  to Kondolovo to Gramatikovo to Malko Tarmovo to border checkpoint Malko Tarnovo.

      Again here you will pedal in some very nice countryside and traffic will be at a minimum.

     The next little village is Kondolovo. Entering the village, you will see a little restaurant called "The Last Bullet", The owner is the local major. He is a very friendly man.

Gramatikovo is a kilometer down the road. Food and overnight accommodations are available there.    

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/bourgas/malko_turnovo/gramatikovo

Route c

      As I have already said, this route should only be used by experienced travelers:

       From Burgas to Primorsko to to Pismenovo to Vizitsa to Gramatikovo to Malko Tarnovo to Border Checkpoint Malko Tarnovo.

      The road segment from Pismenovo to Vizitsa is off road in a wooded area without any signs.