North-West Region




II. A Routes in the North - West Region of the Country

Geographically Sofia and its field does not belong to the North - Western Region of the country. In fact it located in the South - Western Region, but putting it here in this region improves my description making it easier for understanding.

In this chapter I will give information for the routes to reach Sofia, entering from the border checkpoints shown on the map in the left.

The sightseeing in this region worth visiting and seeing are Belogradchik city with its amazing rock formation and Rabisha Cave. Here you can visit Iskar River Gorge - the best river gorge in the country. In next my explanation I will describe ways to visit and explore all these places. Drawing the routes, my intention is to avoid roads with intensive traffic as well.

Content

From / to Romania

1. From Border Checkpoint Vidin - Kalafat (bridge) to Sofia;

From / to Serbia

2. From Border Checkpoint Bregovo to Sofia;

3. From Border Checkpoint Vrashka Chucka to Sofia;

4. From Border Checkpoint Kalotina to Sofia;

The routes from the first three points of the north - west corner of the country to Sofia are the same.

Routes for the first three points of the content:

1. From Border Checkpoint Vidin - Kalafat (bridge) to Sofia;

2. From Border Checkpoint Bregovo to Sofia;

3. From Border Checkpoint Vrashka Chucka to Sofia,

will be the same, as as these three border checkpoints are very close, the next description will be the same for all them.

IMPORTANT: Avoid the next roads because of the intensive traffic along them:

- E79: an international road with very intensive traffic.

The next two roads are of local importance, traffic along them is also intensive, especially the second one, try to avoid them:

- road 81: From Montana toward Lom;

- road 15: From Vratsa toward Kozloduy.

Having all that in mind, I will suggest the next two routes from Vidin to Sofia:

- route A: via Iskar River Gorge - road 16:

From Border Checkpoint Bregovo to Vidin to Lom to Valchedram to Borovan to Gabare to Mezdra to Svoge to Sofia;

- route B: crossing Balkan via Petrohan Pass - road 81:

From Border Checkpoint Bregovo Vidin to Belogradchik to Montana to Berkovitsa to Sofia.

The first one is a little longer (280 km) but much easier than the second one (250 km), and for the last one I will show several nice opportunities as well.

If you plan to explore this areas, my suggestion is of first to choose the place where you will cross Balkan, look in the:

Chapter I

Passes in Balkan Sector I. A

1. Petrohan Pass;

2. Iskar river Gorge,

where very detail information can be seen concerning them.

II. A Routes in the North - West Region of the Country

1. From border checkpoint Vidin - Kalafat (bridge) to Sofia;

2. From border checkpoint Bregovo to Sofia;

Route A

It is the route via Izkar River Gorge. I recommend this route to bicyclists who do not like to climb mountains. This route is appropriate in the cooler months, October through April, when higher mountain elevations are still very cool.

From border checkpoint Bregovo to Vidin to Lom to Valchedram to Borovan to Gabare to Mezdra to Svoge to Novi Iskar to Sofia.

For more detailed description I have divided it in four sections.

Sector II. A - 1

Here are shown two routes to reach Vidin from border checkpoint Bregovo: a) directly to Vidin and b) along Danube River:

Route a

(directly to Vidin City)

Never mind that the road 12 is an international road between Bulgaria and Serbia, but there is minimal traffic on this road. The route is:

From border checkpoint Bregovo to Gamzovo to Inovo to Vidin.

Exploring the area for the first time, I was very surprise to see this big hill between Vidin and Bregovo, I had to climb in one very hot July afternoon.


Gamzovo is a little apart from the main road, if you need a food or water, you have to leave road 12.


Relaxing in the little garden in Inovo with a big cup of tonic and cubes of ice - just next to the road there was a little restaurant.

Approaching Vidin, you can choose to enter or surround city. The City played an important role in Bulgarian mediaeval history.

Information about the town can be seen in the next two Sites:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Vidin

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/vidin/vidi

Have in mind that near Vidin Danube River flows to South - West, not to East. It is very easy to lose orientation in this town. Do not be surprised, if you see the sun is rising from West :) . . . Next several photos are from Vidin.

Sector II. A - 1

Route b

(along Danube River)

For bicyclists entering in Bulgaria through border checkpint Bregovo and having more time my suggestion is to take a little the tour, pedaling along Danube River:

From border checkpoint Bregovo to Bregovo to Baley (road 122) to Kudelin to Vrav to Novo Selo to Yasen to Florentin to Negovantsi to Gomotartsi to Kohhava to Kutovo to Antimovo to Pokrayna to Vidin.

This will be a flat area route.

In Bregovo you have to find the sign toward Novo Selo - road 122.


I can say the countryside is beautiful. Roads are nice with very little traffic. Water and food is available in all the small villages along the road.



The region is known a lot of vineyards. They produce a local of aromatic red wine called "Gamza". Behind the big woods in the background of the photo below there is a shop offering a lot of these aromatic local wines.


Next to Florentin is a really nice place to take a break and relax. When exploring this area have mosquito repellent with you. Usually, after June, the level of Danube River gets lower.

Reaching Negovantsi you can pedal directly toward Vidin. My suggestion is to head back toward Danube river following the off road toward Gomotartsi. The off road is not in bad condition and is not signed, Google Map shows it is only 300 meters long. Leaving Negovanovtsi, look for a signs toward Vinarovo (the second photo below) to right, a little ahead is a fuel station.

Traveling toward Vinarovo, you have to turn to left (the first photo below), just 100 meters before the fuel station, it is the off road you need to pedal toward Gomotartsi.

Three hundred meters further your GPS will show that the road ends. Rather, you will reach a bridge over irrigate channel in the field.

Just after the bridge take the left turn (the last photo above) and follow the off road. You should experience any more problems on your travels to Gomotartsi. If memory serves, the village is 10 km further.

The next several photos illustrate this beautiful countryside. There were a lot of blackberries and pear trees along the route.



Just before entering in Gomotartsi you will start pedalling again on asphalt road. Food is available in it.

Knowing I was going to arrive late in Koshava, I spent the night next to the Danube River.

This is where I spent my night on the river shore. My intention, the next morning, was to follow the off road just next to the river, According to Google Map it should have took me to Vidin. To my surprise, a kilometer later, this road ended - in the bushes - the second photo below. I pedaled up to Koshava taking the main road toward Kutovo and Vidin.

If you choose to not visit Vidin, in Kutovo you can take road 1 (E 79) and go around the city heading toward Lom. You will again be again on the main road, pedaling in heavy traffic. Maybe, it might be a better idea to pedal through Vidin.


Sector II. A - 2 The route is: From Vidin (E79) to Dunavtsi (road 11) to Tsar Simeon to Botevo to Archer to Dobri Dol to Slivata to Orsoya to Lom. Leaving Vidin you will be pedaling for several kilometer on road E 79. You will also be pedaling is heavy traffic. There is no way to avoid this section of road over the next several kilometers. Once reaching road 11, the situation improves considerably, the traffic disappears, although heavy trucks can be on the road driving further to Archar. Looking at the road profile chart below, the distance is easy and pleasant for pedaling. The area here is mostly flat. There are several places you can stay along the riverside.



Once leaving the main road, the traffic disappears. Below can be seen our camp place in Tsar Simeonovo, the volleyball ground. In the morning the village major brought us coffee and we spoke about our trip.

Tsar Simeon is low in elevation. Concrete walls are built near the river. There are not any problems accessing food and water in the little villages along the road.


A little restaurant is located between Tsar Simeon and Botevo. They offer fish meals. The fish comes from the Danube river.


Entering the town of Archar you will see a coffee place and a little workshop. If you need some technical assistance with your bicycle this is the place. The town garden is a nice place to relax in the hot summer afternoon.

After Dobri Dol the traffic disappears totally.

This route is very popular among EU bicyclists.

Information for Lom: http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/lom/lom.html

Next to Danube River you can find a nice garden and 2 - 3 hotels. There are shops for bicycle parts, tires and tubes.




Leaving Lom the road crosses Lom River. My camp place next to the river.

Sector II. A - 3

The entire area is extremely pleasant to be explored.

The route is:

From Lom (road 81) to Mokresh (road 133) to Valchedram to Septemvriytsi to Milanovo to Manastiriste to Barzina to Rogozen to Malorad to Borovan.

The road enters in Danube Plane. It is not absolutely flat, rolling hills are available all around.

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

(Bulgaria)

The rivers are flowing from south (from Balkan) to north (to Danube). So, crossing the Plane from west to east, you will climbing steeper left river shores, followed by longer downhill road to east.

It is visible very well on the road profile chart below.

Once leaving Lom and climbing the hill after Lom, toward Valchedram the area is almost flat and there is not any traffic.

Next photos illustrate area just after Lom and our camp place just after Mokresh, taken in the beautiful end of May '18. Poppies are everywhere in the field.

Valchedram is little town along the route, food and coffee is available in it. A little information for it:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/montana/vulchedrum

The next photos are the countryside toward Mihailovo.

Mihailovo is located in the valley of Ogosta River. Crossing it (the last photo above and the first one below), you will head toward Manastiriste. Next to the bridge thereis very nice spring of cool water.

The next photos illustrate the countryside toward Rogozen, my tour in the early July, 2020. The difference of the field colors in the end of May and middle of July is significant.

Overnight accommodation is possible in Rogozen, where a friend of mine, Ferdy, has a guest house (everyone in the village knows him):

https://www.facebook.com/rozenbedbreakfast/

Wandering in this area I have never missed the chance to spent a night in his garden (appropriate for meditation), as well as to have a bottle of gin with him.


Rogozen is popular with the Thracian treasures found near it '80 last century: https://www.bulgaria-guide.com/guide/Rogozen_Treasure/200385/ http://www.omda.bg/public/engl/history/rogozen_treasure.htm
The Rogozen collection is the richest Thracian treasure found so far. Unearthed in the period 1985 - 1986, it consists of as many as 108 Philae, 54 small jugs and 3 cups. The objects are mostly made of silver with gilt coating. They were collected during a period exceeding a century - from the beginning of the 5th century to the mid-4th century BC. Part of it can be seen in the History Museums in Vratsa and Sofia. The next photos illustrate countryside toward Borovan. http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/borovan/borovan

Sector II. A - 4 As mentioned earlier, this route connect Vidin and Sofia via Iskar River Gorge. So in this sector is shown how to reach the Gorge from Borovan. Entrance to the Gorge is Cherven Bryag. According to the time you have, you can choose to reach the Gorge at Cherven Bryag, Kunino, Roman or Mezdra. Overnight accommodations are only available in Cherven Bryag and Mezdra. All of this area is extremely nice to be explored by bicycle. There will be no traffic issues here. Detailed information concerning all this area including the route from from Mezdra to Roman to Kunino can be found in the Chapter I. BALKAN PASSES, Sector I. A , point 2. Iskar River Gorge, Sector I. A - 2. e: From Mezdra to Roman to Kunino. The shortest route toward Sofia: From Borovan (unnamed road) to Nivyanin to Bukovets to Tlachene to Gabare (road 134) to Drashan to Kameno Pole to (road 103) Gorna Beshovitsa to Kalen to Gorna Kremena to Dolna Kremena to Mezdra.
Starting from Borovan toward Tlachene the route is still in Danube Plain.


Nivyanin and our breakfast in it. We spent a night just at the bed of Skat River flowing through the village.


The road from Tlachene toward Gabare was not maintained many years, so pedalling here is not so pleasant, at least there is not ant traffic. A food shop is available in Gabare.

Leaving Gabare, the road is in more hilly area, the Danube Plain already is behind you.

Kameno Pole is one of my favourite places in this area to visit. At one time it was a big village, but not now Next to it is a small river formed very scenic canyon.

Find the church in the village, then turn left and leave the village.

An impressive clip for the Rocky Field:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=dcDdWVNrmpA

Next to the village is a small river formed very scenic canyon. To visit it, find the church in the village, then turn left and leave the village.

Then you will be on the plateau next to the canyon. The area is called "the rocky field", it is easy to understand this name.

Pedalling along the blue dashed line on the map above you will be next to the canyon. The view is amazing, photos below can not represent how impressive it is.
Always i am in this area I do not miss to spend a night in my tent.

There are three groups of rock formations down the river, 2 - 3 kilometers further. There is a rocky track down the river as well. Unfortunately the two times I was

there in the end of my day, I was tired, so I did not explored the entire area. I am sure, one day I'll be back there . . . well I was there again, again was tired and did not explore the canyon . . . .


٭An opportunity. From Kameno Pole there is an asphalt road down toward Kunino (the only road I did not pedal in this area) and explore the Gorge starting from Kununo.		Another opportunity is to head toward Dolna Beshovitsa along a rocky road (photos below), after to Roman - this road is nice and to start exploring the Gorge from Roman.

Next several photos illustrate the road from Kameno Pole to Mezdra (road 134). Again a road without any traffic. I remember that in Gorna Kremena there is a food shop.

Soon you will be in Mezdra. Overnight accommodation is available in it. Information for it:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/mezdra/mezdra

A kilometer after leaving Mezdra near the road there is a hotel & swimming pool - the photo in left. Unfortunately the water in it is not thermal. But, you will enjoy your stay.

Mezdra is a train line crossroad, trains toward Vidin, Sofia and Varna are stopping there.

٭An opportunity

Cherven Bryag can be regarded as an initial point of Iskar River Gorge, so if you decide to explore the entire Gorge, you can head toward Cherven Bryag. And several words about the route toward Cherven Bryag: Wanderers

exploring this route may find a shorter road from Gabare to Cherven Bryag, but the one I suggest here is much easier, meaning no additional climbing here.

From Borovan to Nivyanin to Bukovets to Tlachene to Gabare to Sushane to Cherven Bryag.

Overnight accommodation is possible in Cherven Bryag:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/pleven/cherven_bryag/cherven_bryag

Again very detail information for the route from Cherven Bryag toward Roman and Mezdra can be seen in:

Chapter I: Balkan Passes, Sector I. A , Point 2. Iskar River Gorge, Sector I. A - 2. e: from Mezdra to Roman to Kunino.

For bicyclists entering in Bulgaria through its North-West corner and intending to pedal to east to Black Sea

(Varna), look in the Chapter VI. Routes:

B. From Sofia to Varna

Further, to reach Sofia, you have to pedal along Iskar River Gorge from Mezdra to Sofia (road 16). For information and details concerning Iskar River Gorge look in the Chapter I. Passes in Balkan, Sector I. A , point 2. Iskar River Gorge, Sector I. A - 2. e: From Mezdra to Roman to Kunino.

II. A Routes in the North - West Region of the Country

1. From Border Checkpoint Vidin - Kalafat (bridge) to Sofia;

2. From Border Checkpoint Bregovo to Sofia;

3. From Border Checkpoint Vrashka Chucka to Sofia,

Route B

Comparing with route A, route B is intended for bicyclists having more time and loving to climb mountain areas. It reaches Sofia passing Balkan via Petrohan Pass, one of the highest passes in Balkan.

I will not give here information for Petrohan Pass, very detail information about it is given in:

Chapter I: Balkan Passes,

Sector I. A ,

Point 1. Petrohan Pass

Route B

The route includes one of the most scenic area in Bulgaria: Belogradchik and its interesting rock formation, this spot MUST be visited !

Never mind which Border Checkpoint you enter in, my suggestion is to follow this route:

From Vidin to Kula (road14) or from Border Checkpoint Vrashka Chuka to Kireevo to (road1041) Rakovitsa to Belogradchik (road102) to Berkovitsa to Kostinbrod to Sofia.

For more detailed description I have divided it in four sections, and in addition, I will expand my description a little connecting this route with Iskar River Gorge at Mezdra (from Montana to Vratsa to Mezdra) - for peddlers intending to explore the region near Belogradchik as well as Iskar River Gorge. In fact, this is truly one of my favorite routes in Bulgaria.

Sector II. A - 5

The route here is:

From Vidin (road 14) to Novoseltsi to Bela Rada to Voynitsa to Kula to (road 1401) Kireevo to Rakovitsa;

As an addition for bicyclists loving off road, I will show an additional route:

From Vidin to Novoseltsi to Bela Rada to Voynitsa to Kula to Poletkovtsi (unnamed road) to Staropatitsa to Rakovitsa.

The next road profile chart is from Vidin to Rakovitsa:

A harder hill here is from Bela Rada to Voynitsa. These little villages may not have food shops. Climbing after Voynitsa toward Kula is not difficult.

Even though the road N14 is an international road, it is a local one and there is not any traffic. The next photos illustrate the road from Vidin toward Kula.



Food and overnight accommodations are available in Kula. (Kula means "Tower" - named for the ancient roman tower remains in the town). Information for Kula (photos below): https://bulgariatravel.org/kastra-martis-fortress-town-of-kula/

Toward Kireevo . . . pedaling slowly up the hill . . . the road toward the Serbian border (border checkpoint Vrashka Chuka - Zajcar).

The road toward the Serbian border (border checkpoint Vrashka Chuka - Zajcar), Rakovitsa and Kireevo (Kiryaevo) is well signed.

The road ahead is along the periphery of Danube Field. Next to it at your right are the Balkans. Far away ahead on the horizon you will see the rock near Belogradchik which is a higher place.

For bicyclists loving off road, I will show an additional route: From Vidin to Novoseltsi to Bela Rada to Voynitsa to Kula to Poletkovtsi to Staropatitsa to Rakovitsa. This route is better in the reverse direction. Finding the off road in Rakovica is not so easy. The GPS device here would be helpful.


The road from Kula to Poletkovtsi is in beautiful conditions. Next to Staropatitsa it is still nice, after to Rakovitsa is off road.


Sector II. A - 6 The route here is: From Rakovitsa (road 1041) to Podgore to Rayanovtsi to Oshane to Vestitsa to Belogradchik. The route is really nice for pedaling. Again, the road further is just along the periphery of Danube Field. The Balkans can be seen to the right. You will be again pedaling in an area of little traffic. The only village you can find food is in Rayanovtsi. In the distance you will see the rock near Belogradchik it can be seen from the road profile chart below.
Here are photos of us "Industrial Camping" just before entering Rakovirsa. Three of us arranged in a leave on a rainy day in May night '18. We spent a very beautiful evening enjoying a very nice brandy and some chocolate.

My camp place next to Podgore


The road is well signed because it is a border area. July and August there are a lot of blackberries along the road.


The last 10 kilometers from Vestitsa to Belogradchik are not easy. Bring water.

Leaving Bulgaria using this route is even more pleasant than entering Bulgaria using this route.

Another place which is worth to be seen in the region is Magurata Cave (or Rabisha Cave). If you have time, you can make a little your trip of about 5 kilometers and visit it road 1104.

The Magura Cave has been known to the mankind for millennia. Now it is used not only for tourism but also for

producing natural sparking wines. In the recent past it has been used also as a sanatorium, a store for cheese, a refuge for partisans and for many other purposes. But maybe one of most interesting periods was the Stone age when our ancestors inhabited the cave. Luckily for us they were quite artistic and left a lot of paintings on the stone walls of the cave. This is one of the oldest cultural monuments in Europe.

Information for the cave can be seen here:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/the-magura-cave-the-rabisha-cave/

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

In the cave, among the stunningly shaped tunnels, you can find more than 700 drawings from different periods: Epipaleolithic (the Stone ages), Neolithic (New stone ages), Eneolithic (Copper ages) and from the beginning of Bronze ages.

Our ancestors left us paintings of animals, men and women, cult rituals, one of the first calendars from the Neolithic ages with 366 days for one year, hunting scenes and etc. made by bat guano.

This section of the cave, though, is permanently closed. They restrict tourist visits to save pictures. The first 2 pics below are not mine.

Belogradchik

One of the most remarkable places in Bulgaria is Brlogradchik and the area near it. Check out the links below to see what I mean. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belogradchik_Rocks https://bulgariatravel.org/the-belogradchik-cliffs-a-natural-wonder/ It is worth the time to spend an afternoon there and walk in the area of rocks. There are overnight accommodations in the town. The 3 photos next to the map show an approach to Belogradchik from Montana. If you jump over the road guard rail (the blue X on the map - I am stopping with my bike - next to the town label) you can walk in the rock area on the walk track.


The two blue XX on the map above show the place where you can enter and walk in the fortress - photos below. It is worth the time to spend an evening in the restaurant (I point it on the map above) against the rock - the last photo below.



On the map above I have point the place of a restaurant with very scenic view toward the rocks. After the sunset the view is even a little unrealistic, when they light up the rocks.

As I have mentioned in the beginning of the item, the route B connect Vidin and Sofia via Petrohan Pass, and in this sector the route ends in Berkovitsa, or Montana. Along the road 81 you can cross Balkan via Petrohan Pass and reach Sofia.

Sector II. A - 7

This route is extremely pleasant for exploring by bicycle in both directions. Climbing is not steep or long, traffic is minimal, and the entire area is appropriate for wild camping.

The route is:

From Belogradchik to Izvos to Borovitsa to Sredogriv to Dolni Lom to Prevala to Gorna Luka to Mitrivtsi to Beli Mel to (Montana) to Gavril Genovo (Ilitsa or Iliza in other maps) to Borovtsi to Berkovitsa .

Starting from Belogradchik down toward Izvos and Borovitsa there are 12 - 13 very pleasant kilometers down the mountain; the road is extremely scenic, it turns between the rock formations.




Be careful locating the road toward Sredogriv (after Borovitsa - the second photo below - both we with the rock behind us). The turn is well signed, but is easy to miss it. In fact the crossroad is just before Falkovets, but you will not enter in it.

It follows 15 kilometers climbing toward Sredogriv and Dolni Lom; the mountain is a little bit steeper after Dolni Lom. In Dolni Lom there is a nice spring of cool water and food shop.


Toward Prevala Pass, our camp place just on the Pass and Prevala Village from the other side of the Pass. Food is available in it.

From the Pass toward Gorna Luka, Mitrovitsa and Beli Mell and Gavril Genovo (Ilitsa or Iliza in other maps) road is down hill, the pedaling here is a real pleasure, there is not any traffic.



The photo in the middle below shows the hotel in Beli Mell; it doesn't rate very high on my list of favorites, but it can be a nice option in some cases. A restaurant is available there as well.

If you need overnight accommodation here, it would be better to pedal to Chiprovtsi. It is only 12 km from Beli Mel. The little town Chiptovtsi is placed next to the Balkan mountains, the scenery here is impressing. Overnight accommodation is not a problem - there is a

nice hotel & restaurant in the center of the little town.

More information for Chiprovtsi can be seen here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/montana/chiprovtsi/chiprovtsi

And . . . you have to climb a little . . .

Chiprovtsi offer an opportunity to visit a nice monastery as well - turn right 2-3 km after the crossroad, the road toward the Monastery is signed well. A little information for the Monastery:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/the-chiprovtsi-monastery-saint-ivan-rilski/



Toward Chiprovtsi.

And the little town Chiprovtsi, our hotel we spent an afternoon and a night in.


We will continue toward Berkovitsa. The road toward Gavril Genovo is easy, in the village there is a water and food, it is a little apart from the road. I see that the name of this village is different in the different maps. The old name		of the village is Gavril Genovo - named of the name of a communist - extremist; obviously the village is renamed: the new name is Ilitsa, or Iliza. The next photos illustrate the countryside between Gavril Genovo and Borovtsi.




A nice place for relax near Zlatitsa River can be found out in Gaganitsa - it is a kilometer left from the road 815.

Soon you will be on road 81 toward Berkovitsa. The next several photos illustrate the road from Montana toward Berkovitsa. It is pleasant for pedalling road at all, the slope toward Berkovica is not steep.


Overnight accommodation in Berkovitsa is possible, entering in it you will see a lot of signs pointing small hotels and guest houses; information for Berkovitsa and several photos: http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/berkovitsa/berkovitsa.html

You can miss Berkovitsa, pedaling up toward Barzia and Petrohan Pass Pass. Two - three kilometers to Barzia the road is already steep; the slope is 6 - 8 % and it is permanent to the Pass, but very detail information for the pas can be seen in the:

Chapter I. BALKAN PASSES, Sector I. A ,Point 1. Petrohan Pass, I will not write about it here.

The next opportunity is for bicyclist wanted to visit Montana. The route is next to the very scenic Ogosta Dam.

Near Ogosta Dam. I have pedalled this area many times in different seasons. The first two photos below are taken in the end of May, the next three - middle of June, the last tone - in the end of July.

In the end, you will be in Montana. Overnight accommodation in Montana is not a problem; information for Montana and several photos:

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/montana/montana.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana,_Bulgaria

Sector II. A - 8 For bicyclists intending to explore the region near Belogradchik as well as Iskar River Gorge, further I will expand my description a little, connecting this route with Iskar River Gorge at Mezdra: route a From Montana to Vratsa to Mezdra In fact, this is truly one of my favorite routes in Bulgaria. I will expand a little my description in this sector showing several opportunities as well: route b From Borovtsi to Lakatnik; and route c (crossing Balkan) From Vratsa toward Milanovo and Lakatnik According to the time you have to explore this area, you can choose the best variant for you.
Route a From Montana to Erden (road 816) to Ogosta to Boychinovtsi to Palilula (road 101) Krivodol to Vratsa to (road E 79) Mezdra (or to Pavolche - road 1004 to chelopek to Lyutibrod - Iskar River Gorge) Do not hesitate to elongate a little your route heading from Montana toward Boychinovtsi. Avoiding road E 79 (road N1) you will pedal in a beautiful area without any traffic. Next several pictures illustrate it.

Information about Vratsa can be seen here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vratsa https://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/vratsa/vratsa.html

The town is placed just below the Balkans, is a scenic place, the History Museum in the town is worth seeing, and overnight accommodation in the town is easy to find. Information on the History Museum in the town can be found here:

http://www.vratsamuseum.com/index.php?lang=en

There are a lot of Thracian gold treasures in it: Valchedram Gold treasure: Especially impressive is the gold crown shown in the last photo - one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life.


and more than 200 peaces of Rogosen gold - silver treasure:

Intending mote detail information for routes from Vratsa to Mezdra, I will increase the scale a little

Route a - 1

From Mezdra to Vratsa

Although the road 1 is very busy, I think pedalling here is not dangerous, it is 2 strips in each direction. Never mind, pedalling here is not pleasant, especially from, Mezdra toward Vratsa. In the back direction, descending allows a high speed, so the time for this distance is very short.

I have not photos from this area.

As it can be seen from the road profile charts, the climbing of the route a is the least comparing with routes I will give next.

As an alternative of the busy road, I would suggest

Route a - 2

From Mezdra to Vratsa

The distance is longer comparing with the route a - 1, but here definitely there is not any traffic. Next photos illustrate this beautiful countryside, revealing a nice view toward Vratsa Balkan.

Mezdra is a small town where overnight accommodation is possible.

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/mezdra/mezdra

Here you will enter in Iskar River Gorge, a detail description for it you can find in the Chapter I. BALKAN PASSES, Sector I. A , Point 2. Iskar River Gorge

About 2 km after Mezdra, on the road segment from Vratsa to Mezdra, you will find a nice hotel, near road E 79, and swimming pool, unfortunately the pool water is not thermal. The restaurant in the hotel is relatively expensive. Be aware there are 2 - 3 very unpleasant kilometers between Mezdra and Rebarkovo.

Route b: the last opportunity to avoid trafic and miss Mezdra, you can pedal:From Vratsa to Pavolche to Chelopek to Lyutibrod. I do recommend it!

And as it can be seen, here a climbing is available, but it is easy from Vratsa toward Chelopek.

And three photos from this area.

Sector II. A - 8. a

And one very nice opportunity here is: Route c

It is purposed for fans of mountain & off-road bicycling, I would recommend:

From Vratsa to "Vratcata" Gorge to Zgorigrad to Ledenika Cave to Parshevitsa Hut to Milanovo to Iskar River Gorge (Lakatnik).

The route is in an area of the National Reserve:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/the-vratsa-balkan-nature-reserve/

The most scenic place here is the gorge named "Vratsata" (the first pics below) between Vratsa and Zgorigrad: I remember that beginning from Zgorigrad arter 1,5 - 2 hours of climbing there was a spring of water.

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

Overnight accommodation is possible in Zgorigrad - the photo in the middle below,

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/vratsa/zgorigrad

near Ledenika Cave, Parshevitsa Hut. Little information for Parshevitsa Hut:

http://vr-balkan.net/en/huts/

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

In the mountain the off road section is not signed, but I believe it is easy to maintain your orientation in the area as it is an open area; no forest, the visibility is nice in each direction (the last two photos below show the

highest place in the mountain, faraway down is Iskar River Gorge). On the highest point you can find Parshevitsa Hut, information for it:

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

Approx 15 km after Zgorigrad there is a remarkable cave "Ledenika", maybe the most popular cave

destination in Bulgaria, it is worth to be visited.

http://vr-balkan.net/en/ledenika-cave/

An especially scenic area is the road segment between Milanovo and Lakatnik (Iskar River Gorge).

While bicycling down the mountain, from Milanovo down to Iskar River Gorge, 9 kilometers you will enjoy a great view.




In the end, you will be in Iskar River Gorge. Again, I will mention that more information for it can be seen in Chapter I. BALKAN PASSES, Sector I. A , Point 2. Iskar River Gorge.

Sector II. A - 8. b

Route b

The route I would suggest here (toward Iskar river Gorge) is a little shorter than previous one, but it includes a little bit more climbing. It is a shortcut between Borovtsi and Iskar River Gorge.

The route is in the Balkans, and there is very little traffic in this section. The road is nice for pedaling in the both directions, is steeper in the opposite direction (from Lakatnik to Borovtsi, but still nice for pedaling.

Next I will suggest two opportunities:

The first one is:

From Borovtsi to Zamfirovo to Parlichevo to Stoyanovo to Dolna Bela Rechka to Gorna Bela Rechka to Milanovo to Lakatnik (Iskar River Gorge).

The Next one is:

From Borovtsi to Berkovitsa to Spanchevtsi to Varshets to to Dolna Bela Rechka to Gorna Byala Rechka to Milanovo to Lakatnik (Iskar River Gorge).

The road profile chart for the first opportunity:

The next several photos illustrate the countryside from Borovtsi to Parlichevo.



The next several photos illustrate the countryside from Stoyanovo to Milanovo.



The climbing is harder after Dolna Byala Rechka; to the top of the pass are almost 9 kilometers.

The second opportunity I have mentioned for this area is:

From Borovtsi to Berkovitsa to Spanchevtsi to Varshets to to Dolna Bela Rechka to Gorna Byala Rechka to Milanovo to Lakatnik (Iskar River Gorge).

It is purposed for bicyclists wanting to visit Barkovitsa,

Klisurski Monastery and Varshets. The only disadvantage I see here is that you have to pedal several kilometers on road N 81, which is with relatively intensive traffic especially in the weekends - Friday & Sunday afternoons.

The road profile chart shows the various lay without long steep hills, extremely pleasant for pedalling.

The countryside from Borovtsi toward Berkovitsa.

Berkovica is a picturesque little town placed just below the Balkan. Overnight accommodation in it is possible, entering in it you will see a lot of signs pointing

small hotels and guest houses; information for Berkovitsa and several photos:

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



Leaving Bercovitsa, you will see signs toward Varshets and Klisyrski Monastery.

Bicyclists having time can visit the Klisurski Monastery (the road toward it is signed well), overnight accommodation is possible there, there is a restaurant as

well. Information for the Monastery:

http://www.bulgariamonasteries.com/en/klisura_monastery.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DNcwXPOew0

Next small village is Spanchevtsi, it is a small spa resort: http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/montana/varshets/spanchevtsi

If you need overnight accommodation, my suggestion is to go a little further to Varshets, entering it it you will see a lot of labels for little private guest homes and hotels: http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/montana/varshets/varshets https://bulgariatravel.org/varshets/

Countryside after Varshets toward Golyama Byala Rechka and my camp place.

In the end, for bicyclists loving the hard climbing, I would suggest after Montana, to take the road toward Petrohan Pass, details for this route can be found out in the Chapter I. BALKAN PASSES, Sector I. A , Point 1. Petrohan Pass.

		II. A Routes in the North - West Region of the Country 4. From Border Checkpoint Kalotina to Sofia Is a segment of the international road from Vienna to Edirne to Istanbul, and is the shortest road from the west Bulgarian Border toward Turk Border (Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo).

At the moment E 80 is in reconstruction, the motor road will be ready for exploitation, maybe 2025. So far the motor road is ready from Sofia to Dragoman. Presently pedalling on the motor toad is forbidden, so you have to find the old road parallel to the motor road. If you increase the scale of the map, you will see the old road parallel to E 80. Starting from Sofia, the old road is 6 - 7 kilometres west from Bozhuriste almost to the border checkpoint Kalotina. It is very rough pavement, I think it is not very nice to pedal along it. The road profile chart shows that route is not hard for pedaling.
Next photos are taken between Bozhuriste and Slivnitsa.


Overnight accommodation in Slivnitsa is possible (there are motels along the road as well); Information for Slivnitsa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slivnitsa

The motor road toward Dragoman is ready almost to Dragoman. The next three photos were taken up in the spring of 2021, when I rode this part of the motor road, when there was still not traffic.

As I have mentioned above, if you increase the scale of the map, you will see the old road parallel to E 80. Starting from Sofia, the old road is 7 - 8 kilometres west from Bozhuriste almost to the Border Checkpoint Kalotina. It is very rough pavement, I think it is not very nice to pedal along it, but is really would be much safer than the motor road.


	What about Dragoman - the most interesting is the swamp near it - there is not many places in Bulgaria like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnUQslTbZBA Overnight accommodation is possible in the hotel I have posted above.

Reaching Dragoman you have to hit road 813 toward Godech - you will enter in Balkan, you will start climbing.

My camp place just next to Prekraste is shown on the next photos.

I do not remember if food shops are available in the villages to Godech, so bring food and water with you leaving Dragoman.

Godech is a little town, overnight accommodation is possible there. Winter time it is one of the coolest place in the country. A little information about Godech: http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/sofia/godech/godech

The road toward Buchin Pass is signed well.

Next several photos are the countryside illustrating the area from Buchin Pass down to Svoge, I and my daughter Maya explored in the very sunny and warm April '18.


Our camp place just before Tsarichina. I camped many times at this area.





Down toward Svoge.

٭2Bicyclists intending to bicycle directly to Greece (border checkpoint Kulata) missing Sofia I would suggest the route: From Kalotina to Dragoman to Slivnitsa to Galavbovtsi to Gurgulyat to Arzan to Breznik to Batanovtsi to Radomir to Dupnitsa . . . to Border Checkpoint Kulata. The road segment from Slivnitsa to Breznik crossing Viskyar Mountain is in very bad condition, but the nature is saved, area is very very scenery - several photos of this area are shown below. Bring food with you. Water is available in Gyrgulyat. More information concerning route to Border Checkpoint Kulata at Greece/Bulgaria border can be found out in the Chapter: II. Routes: B. Routes in the South - West Region of the Country



Gurgulyat is connected with the our new history: http://visit.guide-bulgaria.com/a/1008/pantheon_of_the_perished_in_the_battle_for_gurgulyat.htm