V. Bicycling along Danube River

I have seen several sites in Internet and guide books (including not Bulgarian) concerning this route supplying not correct !!! I believe my description here will be usefull.

ALWAYS CARRY MOSQUITO REPELLENT !!!

Danube . . . the great European River . . .

https://www.britannica.com/place/Danube-River

      Describing the route further, I will point the places where it is possible to cross the river.

      The route, almost 520 kilometers long is (West - East):

      From border checkpoint Bregovo (BG/Serbia Border) to Vidin to Lom to Kozlodui to Oryahovo to Nikopol to Svistov to Byala to Ruse toTutrakan to Silistra.

     For a better and more detail information I parted the route into 8  sectors: V. A to V. H, and it will be content of the Chapter.

      In the end I will add a little more information concerning two new Border Checkpoints between Bulgaria and Romania east from Silistra, opened 3 - 4 years ago.

Sector V. A

From Border Checkpoint Bregovo to Vidin  

       If you wish is to explore the entire Bulgarian part of this route, you have to enter from Serbia: border checkpoint Bregovo: point 2 on the map below (another point to enter/leave Bulgaria is the bridge near Vidin - point 1 on the map below).

      Here are shown two opportunities to reach Vidin from border checkpoint Bregovo:

a) Directly to Vidin - Route a;

b) Along Danube River - Route b.

Route a

Directly to Vidin City

Road 12 is an international road between Bulgaria and Serbia with very little traffic. 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.

      In Bregovo I found a little work shop (I had to replace

my rear bearing), people there helped me with a wrench N24 and a heavier hammer, the only tools I need to repair each bike damage I do not bring with me . . . too heavy . . .

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.

                                                                      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 V. B 

From Vidin to Lom

      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.

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.

٭An opportunity

BELOGRADCHIK

      If you visit this part of the country, and have a couple days to spare, it would be very nice to tour and visit Belogradchik. You will not regret the visit. The route I recommend one of the best to be explored by bicycle.

      The area is easy for pedaling. There will be minimum traffic on the route to Belogradchik.

      The better bicycle route is by entering in BG via border checkpoint Vrashka Chyka.

       The route:

      From border checkpoint Bregovo to Vidin to Kula (from Border Checkpoint Vrashka Chuka) to Kireevo to Rakovitsa to Belogradchik to Ruzhintsi to Drenovets to Lom.

I will split the route in three parts:

a) From Vidin to Rakovitsa;

b) From Rakovitsa to Belogradchik;

c) From Belogradchik to Lom.

a) From Vidin to Rakovitsa

The route here

is:

From Vidin to Novoseltsi to Bela Rada to Voynitsa to Kula to Kireevo 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.

      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 . . .  it is 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.

b) from Rakovitsa to Belogradchik

      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.

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

      Another place which is worth to be seen in the region is Magurata Cave, or Rabisha Cave. If you have time, you can elongate a little your trip (no more than 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: Epiopaleolitic (the Stone ages), Neolitic (New stone ages), Eneolitic (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 Brelogradchik 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 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.

c) From Belogradchik to Lom

      The route here is:

      From Belogradchik to Izvos to Borovitsa to Ruzhintsi to Drenovets to Topolovets to Dinkovo to Dondukovo to Vasilovtsi to Stalitska Mahala to Lom.

      From Belogradchik you can pedal back down toward Lom and Danube River.

      As it can be seen from the road profile chart, this route is more than beautiful.

Next  photos are the approach toward Belogradchik from Izvos.

Next several photos are the road from Belogradchik toward Lom. You will find almost no traffic along this road.

Sector V. C

The route from Lom to Oryahovo

Sector V. C

      The route is:

       From Lom (road 11) to Kovachitsa to Gorni Tsibar to Kozlodyi to Harlets to Glozhene to Mizia (road 15) to Oryahovo.

      On the next road profile charts can be seen the typical topology of the area: a steeper hills from west to east, relatively high places revealing a beautiful view toward the river and longer down hill road.

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

      A little further you will see a sign toward Kozloduy, a Danube velo route N6 is on the sign, too. You will see this sign from time to time on your ride to Silistra City. Toward Kozloduy you will enjoy of a road without

any traffic.

      After three kilometers of pedaling up the hill along a pavement road you will be on a plateau, where a nice view toward Danube River is seen.   

Food shop and coffee are available in Kovachevitsa. Along the road there is not water, so bring it with you.

I do not remember if food was available in Gorni Tsibar or Gorni Tsibar.

Next town to East is Kozlodyi. Information for Kozloduy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kozloduy                                              http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/kozloduy

The town garden and I balanced just above Danube river.

    An interesting story with Austro - Hungarian ship abducted by the Bulgarian revolutionaries April 1876 near Kozlodyy. The ship is reconstructed, it is a museum near the town garden.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radetzky_(steamship)

      Overnight accommodations are available in Kozlodyu. Leavin Kozloduy you will see a sign pointing to accommodations at Road Camp Motel. Kozloduy has a nuclear power plant, having 2 x 1000 MWA powerful reactors as well. Taking photos in the region is forbidden, I found these on GOOGLE.

Toward Harlets:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/vratsa/kozloduy/harlets

 and Hayredin:

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

      In the first one there is a nice garden, I remember I relaxed in it for an afternoon.

Next little town is Mizia.

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

     Toward Oryahovo the countryside is beautiful. I am not sure if overnight accommodations are available in Mizia.

      Half way between Mizia and Oryahovo you ca find a motel and restaurant.

       Information for Oryahovo:

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

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NW/vratsa/oryahovo/oryahovo

      At Oryahovo, there is a ferry crossing for the Danube River. Bechet - Oryahovo: http://ferryboat.bg/

      Unfortunately the site has no English language interpretation. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, its schedule is:

- from Oryahovo to Bechet: each second hour starting from 12;

- from Bechet to Oryahovo: each second hour starting from 13.

No price for a bicycle, but a walker is charged by 2 EURO :)

On some maps a narrow gauge train runing line from Oryahovo to Cherven Briag is shown. This is not accurate information. The train has not been in operation for decades.

Sector V. D

The route from Oryahovo to Nikopol

Sector V. D

The roure is: From Oryahovo to Leskovets to Ostrov to Krushovene to Gigen to Gulyantsi to Milkovitsa to Dolni Vit to Somovit to Cherkovitsa to Nikopol.

 There is not any traffic along this road. I remember the nice cool spring of water next to Leskovets.

      Krushovene is in the valley of Iskar River - already low place. Food is available in Krushovene.

      The next photos are taken after a rain, when several road sectors were covered by water and mud.

      Toward Brest and Gulyantsi. A bigger settlement here is Gulyantsi, I do not believe there is an overnight accommodation in it. A little information for Gulyantsi

Municipality and Gulyantsi.

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

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

You will pedal 40 kilometers of flat road on your ride from Krushovene to Somovit. After climbing the hill east from Somovit, again, you have a nice view of the Danube river.

The next point to possibly cross the Danube is at Nikopol: Turnu Magurele - Nikopol. The ferry is located just after the city label. Ferry schedule and prices are available on the link:

http://www.brp.bg/services.html

The approach toward the ferry is signed well.

      Entering Nikopol just after the ferry port there is a little lovely garden having a nice view toward Danube and Romanian shore.

      Heading to east along Danube river, leaving the town you will see a camping place.

Overnight accommodations are available in the town. And some information for Nikopol:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikopol,_Bulgaria                               http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/nw/pleven/nikopol/nikopol

Sector V. E

The route from Nikopol to Svistov

Sector V. E

On the map above I have shown two possible routes:

Route a: From Nikopol to Vabel (road 52) to Lyubenovo to Lozitsa to Dekov to Oresh Line Station to Svistov.

      Leaving Nikopol, toward Vabel and Lyubenovo you will ascend on a higher plateau (the photo above) - my tent is just there, offering very nice view of the Danube.

      There is almost no traffic on this road and the pedaling here is a real pleasure. Food and water is available in the villages ahead.

      In the little village Lyubenovo in the village center there is a food shop (the photo in left), next to it a grass area. The shop owner told me that often bicycle tourists set up tents on that spot. Very bicyclist friendly people !!!

On the map above I point to Oresh. Next to the road is a railroad line station, a nice place to relax. There is a water tap, a very nice option on hot summer days.

Information about Svistov:  

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/veliko_turnovo/svishtov/svishtov                    http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/svishtov/svishtov.html

     Information for the ferry from Svistov to Zimnichea is given here:     http://ferry.bg/ferry_en.php

When leaving Svistov to the east, first you will see remains of the ancient Roman town, NOVAE, at your right:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/antique-military-camp-nove-town-of-svishtov

Further, on your left, is the memorial on the place Russian Army crossed Danube 1877, beginning the war against Ottoman Empire resulting in the establishment of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom.

Route b

      A route including Belene: I know bicyclists would prefer this route because it is next to Danube river. When I pedaled it, but east from Belehe I had to turn  back to

to road 52 because there is an industrial zone preventing me from pedaling toward Svistov directly, as shown on the map. So, my suggestion is to pedal route a.

In Dekov you will see a sign toward Belene.

Some information about Belene d the ancient Roman fortress, Dimum:

https://belene.bg/en/tourism/antient-customs-dimum/

Sector V. F

The route from Svistov to Ruse

Sector V. F

Route a

      There are several options to Reach Ruse from Svistov, as can be seen from the map above. I will start with the route a, If you are a bicyclists, and prefer to pedal close to Danube river, I say DO NOT CHOOSE THIS ROUTE !!! Use the next route:

      From Svistov to Vardim to Novgrad to Krivina to Batin (road 52) to Mechka to Pirgovo to Ruse.

      The area from Svistov toward Vardim the is scenic and easy for pedaling. Leaving Vardim, at your left you will see a nice winery, I am not sure there are overnight accommodations possible there.

     Ten kilometers east from Vardim you will cross Yantra River along an iron bridge, just after it you have to turn left toward Krivina. Just before entering in the bridge,

200 - 300 meters to right along a gravel road there is a nice spring of drinkable water (behind me on the first photo below).

Sector V. F - 3

The route from Borovo to Ruse (road 501)

      This is one of my favorite routes in this area. It always brings me a great pleasure to visit this area. The route here is away from Danube River:

       From Borovo to Dve Mogili  to Ivanovo to Basarbovo to Ruse.

      In this sector AVOID road E85. It is one of the most dangerous roads in Bulgaria. Once reaching Dve Mogili, you are on a higher place, the next route toward Ruse is slowly descending.

      The only IMPORTANT thing you MUST know is that road N 85 is extremely dangerous. Always AVOID IT !!!

Very little information for Borovo can be seen here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/rousse/borovo

Next several photos are the countryside toward Dve Mogili.

The next little town along your route is Dve Mogili. Some information about the area can be seen here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dve_Mogili                    http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/rousse/dve_mogili/dve_mogili

Photos from Dve Mogili and the countryside after it.

      Several kilometers north from Dve Mogili you will see a sign toward Orlova Chucka Cave. The cave is located just over the Canyon of Rusenski Lom River. The cave is very attractive, it is worth visiting.

      The place near it is nice to set up a tent, there is a water too. Coffee and drinks are available in the little info centre.

Orlova Chucka Cave:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/orlova-chuka-cave/

      The next several photos are taken at the Cherven mediaeval fortress remains placed in Rusenski Lom River Canyon. The area along Rusenski Lom River is a

National Reserve:     

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/rusenski-lom-nature-park/

And a link for the fortress near Cherven:  

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/medieval-fortified-town-of-cherven/

Next village along the road is Ivanovo. The are two guest houses in it.

Leaving Ivanovo you will enjoy of beautiful descending toward Basarbovo. Just after entering in Basarbovo you will see a sign, selling of geese.

An interesting Rock Monastery can be seen near Basarbovo (the road toward it is signed well):

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/rock-monastery-st-dimitrius-basarbovski-village-of-basarbovo/

Several words about Ruse:

      Ruse, is the biggest BG town on Danube River. Because of the bridge Ruse - Giurgiu, it is easy here to cross Danube River, although I am not sure if it is safe for bicyclists. The bridge is old and narrow, the traffic can be very heavy.

Information is available on the Internet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruse,_Bulgaria

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/city-of-ruse/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ruse

      Approaching Basarbovo you will see the not so deep but scenic canyon of Rusenski Lom River - the photo in left, there is my camp place, I have pointed on the map above with "X".

      Soon after living Basarbovo you will enter in Ruse. You will see the high bridge (road E85). Do not cross into Ruse via this bridge. Enter in the town along the industry zone (the left road on the left photo).

       Pedalling further on the road N501, you will reach a place with a nice view toward Danube River next to hotel Riga.

      You can go on along Danube River, or enter in the City Center

The walking zone of the Ruse City.

      It will be very nice to relax and visit the town garden.  You can use different park lanes and you can pedal closer to Danube River

      In the park is located the National Transport Museum. There are a lot of specimens of old steam engines there.

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

National_Transport_Museum,_Bulgaria

      Toward Tutrakan and Silistra leave Ruse along road N21.

      It is easy here to cross Danube River, although I am not sure if it is safe for bicyclists. The bridge is old and narrow, the traffic can be very heavy.

      The next photos illustrate road toward Tutrakan and Silistra.

      As it can be seen from the road profile chart, the entire area from Ruse to Tutrakan is absolutely flat. Last years the traffic here is relatively heavy, I think it is not a dangerous road to pedal. The only place you can see Danube River is Tutrakan.

      From Ruse to Marten to Slivo Pole to Brashlen to Nova Cherna toTutrakan.

      Along the road from Slivo Pole to Tutrakan (to Silistra) you will notice peach trees, which bear fruit from about the second half of June to the beginning of July.

The next several photos illustrate the countryside toward Slivo Pole.

      A DISCLAIMER: Researching in the Net, there are sites pointing a route from Slivo Pole to Ryahovo to Babovo and after next to the river to Tutracan. According to instructions in this site the road is

purposed  for bicyclists. August 2018, I explored this area. I DID NOT FIND SUCH A ROUTE !!!

     The road toward Ryahovo is signed well in Slivo Pole. No much information for Slivo Pole:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/rousse/slivo_pole/slivo_pole

The next photos are the area from Slivo Pole toward Ryahovo and Babovo.

      In Ryahovo you can visit Danube river shore - in the village there is a sign toward it, unfortunately in Cyrillic. I mention it because there is a restaurant offering a large

number of dishes with fish from Danube. No much information for Ryahovo:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/rousse/slivo_pole/ryahovo

      So my suggestion is after Babovo to go back to the main road toward Tutrakan. Next to the crossroad toward

Nova Cherna there is a hotel and restaurant near the road (the last photo below).

You can either enter Tutrakan, or go around the city. Entering Tutrakan you will see a bicycle repair shop. A little further you will see a hotel and restaurant.

      Information for Tutrakan (overnight accommodations are possible) and for the Great European War (IWW):

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/silistra/tutrakan/tutrakan

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

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

The town is located on a hill above Danube - you have to climb to the upper part of the little town.

Sector V. H

The route form Tutrakan to Silistra

Sector V. H

Route a  (It is the main road N21:)

      From Tutrakan to Tarnovtsi to Bogdantsi to Zafirovo to Kolarovo to Aidemir to Silistra.

      The road profile chart between Tutrakan and Silistra shows Dobrudzha Plateau cut by dry river valleys.

      Obviously during the last ice age here there was a lot of water here. The area now is dry; the last river mouth in Danube from Bulgaria is Rusenski Lom River. The road is in very nice condition. The traffic is not intensive.

Sector V. H - 1

    You can either enter Tutrakan, or go around the city. If you choose to go around the city soon you will see a tap of drinkable water and a nice place to camp.

      Twenty kilometers from Silistra is located a UNESCO protected bird sanctuary, "Srebarna". The lake can be seen from the road after the last descent toward Silistra.

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

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/biosphere-reservation-of-

srebarna-village-of-srebarna/

      Approaching Aidemir it would be better to enter Aidemir - you will avoid the ring of the transited traffic.

Overnight accommodations are available in Aidemir.

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NC/silistra/silistra/aydemir

      Soon you will enter Silistra. Here your trip along Danube River in Bulgarian section ends (or maybe starts).

Information for Silistra:

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

http://www.bulgaria-guide.com/guide/Silistra/203776/

      You can cross  Danube by a ferry to Chiuciu (Calarasi) or head east toward Constanta (road 3) at Black Sea. The more detail map above shows the disposition of both ferry and the border checkpoint. For the ferry schedule look here:

https://www.spikaferry.com/en/

Route b

      This route is for more adventurous bicyclists, after reading my next description, you will decide to follow this route, or not. I will part it in 2 sectors:

      Sector V. H - 2

     The route here is:

      From Tutrakan to Pozharevo to Dunavets to Malak Preslavets.

Once going on the plateau above Tutrakan, you will see a sign toward Pozharevo. Turning left, you will enter a woody area, and you will enjoy very nice descent, almost to Pozharevo.

There is not any traffic here. There you will see the first sign showing you are along a bike lane; on the sign is pointing the next village (Dunavets) and the distance to it. 

      Soon after Dunavets a group of 8 bicyclists (2 families) from Austria came up with me, so we went on together, I knew they may need a help further. The

asphalt road finished and we pedaled on along the ancient Roman road. I think that bicyclists in the ancient Roman Impair do not feel fine along their roads :)

There is a food shop in Malak Preslavets, but it is open only mornings and late afternoons.

Sector V. H - 3

The road toward next village Garvan is labelled. Have in mind that again it is a dirty road crossing the field.

I am sure that if it is raining, or just after a rain, it will be absolutely impossible to pedal on this road. It would be much better in such a case to pedal toward the main road N21.

      Popina is a bigger village. You will see signs leading you toward the next village, Vetren. Leaving the village, a sign will lead you to the left. A kilometer further the road finishes in the bushes.

      Follow the Google map for here as if is correct. it is not much of a road. But in some sites advertising the bicycle route along Danube River such a road exists. The road exists in the Austrian Guide Book peddlers brought with them as well.

Apparently there was a road, many years ago, but, not now.

On the Danube bank next to Popina there is a hotel:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?

id=100066395204960

So I left them and followed my way toward Silistra spending a night in the field just before Polyana. Next day I reached Silistra along the main road 21.

Well, here out pedaling along Danube River is finishing.

APPENDIX I

I was asked for the next information

      In an exploitation are two relatively new open Border checkpoints on the  Bulgaria/Romanian border east from Silistra:

 - Border Checkpoint Kaynardzha - Lipnitsa - open 2017, works between 8 am and 8 pm;

- Border Checkpoint Krushari - Dobromir - open 2018, having the same work time.

      On the map in left I point this two new Border Checkpoints. June '21 I explored this area and my information is very real.

      If you use Border Checkpoint Kaynardzha - Lipnitsa head west toward Kaynardzha (road 71).

East toward Kranovo road is nice to this very small village.

If you decide to pedal toward Bulgarian part of the Black seaside, you can look in the:

Chapter  III: Crossing Bulgaria from north to south (from Romania to Turkey & Greece),

B. North - East Region

Point 3. Calarashi – Silistra: ferry & Constanta – Silistra (border checkpoint Silistra)

       B. From Sofia to Varna 

Sector VI. 2 - J

From Vetrino - Varna

(On the next map are available Border Checkpoints between Bulgaria and Romania)