VI. Routes: C. From Plovdiv to Burgas



      Plovdiv is a popular tourist destination in Bulgaria. So you may find the city has heavy traffic.

        Detail information for Plovdiv can be seen here:

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

 

https://bulgariatravel.org/plovdiv-city/

 

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/plovdiv-city/

 

      On the map I have shown the way to cross the city of Plovdiv by the green dashed line in order to avoid the tunnel under the hill with the Ancient Amphitheatre on it, although it is not a problem to pedal it.

 

 

     I have pointed the walking area in the Plovdiv city (the next several pics.) beginning with the walking bridge on Maritsa River by the dashed green line – use it. (DO NOT PEDAL THERE !!!,  - it is forbidden, only walk !!!)

The History Hill of the Old Town and the Ancient Amphitheatre on it.

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/ancient-roman-forum-in-plovdiv/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       The next link is a map for the velo lanes in Plovdiv:

https://www.velo-plovdiv-tourist-map.truenorth.bg/


Here I will show two possible routes from Plovdiv to Burgas, the distance for the both rotes is almost the same. So, the content of this Chapter includes two routes shown on the next two map:

Route A

      From Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Chirpan to Stara Zagora to Nova Zagora to Sliven to Karnobat to Aytos to Burgas.

 

Route B

      From Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Parvomay to Dimitrovgrad to Simeonovgrad to Topolovgrad to Elhovo to Bolyarovo to Sredets to Burgas.

Further I will expand the Route B showing two options. I know that touring bicyclists prefer Route A.

But, Route B, I feel is much better and definitely safer. There is not any traffic n this route, either.


Route A

      From Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Chirpan to Stara Zagora to Nova Zagora to Sliven to Karnobat to Aytos to Burgas.

     

      Bicyclists intending to visit cities along this route have to use the road E773. It is almost flat, there are not

 

any problems with food, water supplying, or overnight accommodations.

E773 is a pleasant route for bicycling. There is traffic along this road, especially near Stara Zagora, I can say it is not so intensive. July and August here is quite hot.


Sector VI. C - 1

     From Plovdiv to Chirpan

In this sector I will suggest two routes:

Route a

      From Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Milevo to Mirovo to Plodovitovo to Chirpan.

       Road profile chart from Plovdiv to Chirpan. There are a lot of low rolling hills making the views more scenic.

      The road segment from Plovdiv to Popovitsa can have heavy traffic. Pedaling here is not a pleasure at all. The road is in very nice condition.

 

      When leaving Plovdiv, find the velo lane I pointed in red on the City map above.

      The traffic on the road from Plovdiv to Popovitsa is pretty heavy, although it is not obvious from photos below. I do not think it is dangerous to pedal here.

        The next several pictures are of the countryside of Thracian Field east from Plovdiv toward Popovitsa. With "R" on the map above I have pointed restaurants along the road.

      Entering in Popovitsa you can find easy a nice spot near the road, I love to relax there for an afternoon.

        Usually there are no more than 5 - 6 children near the pool. Food and cool beer are available there.

Leaving Popovitsa toward Milevo (Road 66), the traffic disappears. Food is available in Milevo, Mirovo, Plodovitovo.

The road from Plodovitovo toward Chirpan cross a little bit higher hills. So back toward Rodopi Mountais, a very nice view is revealed.

And several more photos of the same area having emotional value for me from tours I have done in the years.

      Overnight accommodations are possible in Chirpan. Information for it and several photos.

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

 

Route b

      Because the traffic along the road  from Plovdiv to Popovitsa

 

is very heavy, the route given here avoid it completely. The route is:

      From Plovdiv (road 56) to Skutare (road 565) to Rogosh to Manole to Manolsko Konare to Shishmantsi to Belozem to Opalchenets to Orizovo to Cherna Gora (road 664) to Chirpan.

      Once locating the road 56 from Plovdiv to Skutare, you will have not any problems reaching Chirpan, enjoying an easy route without any traffic.

        Food can be found in all the villages along the road. The next several photos illustrate this beautiful plain area.  

Approximately a kilometer to Manole the road crosses the Stryama River, very clean and hot water.

I enjoy camping near the river when here.

Belozem is a bigger village along the route.

Toward Orizovo and Chirpan.
The same region - between Belozem and Cherna Gora - the sunny May '22

 

Sector VI. C - 2

 

 

 From Chirpan to Stara Zagora

      Compared to the previous road segment, the road  from Chirpan to Stara Zagora is in a little bit more hilly, but, with very little traffic.       InRakititsa there is a little food shop and a coffee shop.

      In BogImilovo there is a little food shop and a coffee shop, too.

 

 

Photos, taken in May ‘20, showing this beautiful area.

     The biggest city in this part of the country is Stara Zagora. Overnight accommodation in Stara Zagora is not a problem.

 

Links with information about the city is here:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/stara-zagora/

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


Sector VI. C - 3

 From Stara Zagora to Nova Zagora

      This is a very beautiful, flat area to pedal. Pedaling in both directions is easy. Summer afternoons are hot.

        There is no food or water along this road, although from time to time a small coffee place can be found in Podslon.

      Overnight accommodations in Nova Zagora are not a problem.  Links with information about this town is here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/sliven/nova_zagora/nova_zagora


Sector VI. C - 4

 From Nova Zagora to Sliven

 

 

 

 This route segment is:

 

From Nova Zagora to Sadievo to Kamenovo to Zlati Voyvoda to Sliven.

 

 

 

      The route is easy for pedaling in the both directions. Here the road crosses the eastern part of Sredna Gora Mountain (the hill between Sadievo and Zlati Voyvoda). I point to it on the road profile chart below.

A food shop is available in Kameno.
Here, on the hill, is a nice place to camp.
      If open, on the top of the hill there is a little restaurant, with wifi.

      On the map above is a place for relax – a little spa resort, called “Sliven Thermal Bath” or something like that:

https://bulgariatravel.org/slivenski-mineralni-bani-

dzhinovski-bani/

     There are two spots with swimming pools of thermal

 

water, a sign toward a better one you will see entering in the resort coming from Zlati Voevoda (the last photo below).

      I have never miss the opportunity to relax here for an afternoon when I am bicycling in this area. The places for overnight accommodations there are not very accommodating.

June '22 I spent 3 days in the Family Hotel "Kalina".

      Toward Burgas you can choose to miss Sliven, taking road 6, or visit it. Overnight accommodations in Sliven are not a problem. Information about the city can be seen here:

 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Sliven

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

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/sliven/sliven/sliven

      In the north end of the town there is a chair lift up to "Sinite Kamani Natural Park" - the Blue Stone Nature Park.

 

The view of the plain below is great

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/sinite-kamani-natural-park/


Sector VI. C - 5

From Sliven to Burgas (E 871)

 

Route a

The route is:    From Sliven to Karnobat to Aytos to Burgas.

Detailed information concerning this route can be found in:

Chapter VI. Routes: A. From Sofia to Burgas ,  sector VI. A - 6,  sector VI. A - 7,  sector VI. A - 8,   


 

Route b

 

      Compared with the route a, the traffic here is much lighter, except the section of road between Sliven and Yambol.

      In Sliven, look for the signs toward Yambol. I do not think that this is a dangerous segment.

Sector VI. C - 5. a


The road 53 from Sliven to Yambol has heavy traffic. A better idea heading toward Yambol would be to follow the next route:

 

From Sadievo to Konyovo to Mladovo to Kermen (road 555) to Skobelevo to Bozadzhii to Bezmer to Yambol (road 53) to Lakchevo (road 5308) to Saransko to Tamarino (road 53).

      This is a beautiful route. There is hardly no traffic, food and water are available in villages along the road, and the scenery is the best.

 

      The next several photos illustrate this very nice countryside.

May is the month of puppies - everywhere in the fields.

A bigger settlement toward Yambol is Kermen, little information about it can be seen here:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/Sliven/Sliven/Kermen

I am not sure if overnight accommodations are available in it. 

Between Skobelevo and Bezmer the road is gravel.

 My camping place on the highest point between Skobelevo and Bezmer. (east from Bozadzhii).
July and August are extremely dry period. Maybe in the rainy periods, it would be better to avoid this section of road.
Again on the paved road.

      The next map shows the best way to enter in Yambol: heading toward the Western Industrial Zone and crossing the railway (be careful crossing it, the train here

 

is fast).

      Crossing Yantra River, you will enter in the Town Garden seeing the high building of Park Hotel Yambol.

      Some information for Yambol and pictures

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

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

        The first three photos are the Town Garden you will enter first. Very nice spot to relax for 3 hours in the hot summer afternoons.
Up the hill after Yambol . . . It is not steep, but I have memories of a tough time pedaling here in the hot summer afternoons.
      The first village after leaving Yambol is Kalchevo. Entering Kalchevo just behind a fuel station there is a   swimming pool, appropriate to spend a hot summer afternoon hang a beer, coffee or shower.

Please, notice from Kalchevo toward Saransko and Tamarino you will be not on the road 53. It is possible to pedal it,

but there are road segments in poor condition.

The road conditions in May ‘22.

In the next village, Tamarino, you will find a motel, restaurant and very nice swimming pool.

      Tamarino ends my description of this route. Very detailed information concerning route from Tamarino to Burgas can be found here:

 

Chapter VI. Routes:   A. From Sofia to Burgas

Point  8. Sector VI. A - 8: From Sliven to Yambol to Burgas; Sectors VI. A - 8a & 8.b




Route B

      A better route from Plovdiv to the Black Sea, including Burgas, is the next one:

      From Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Dimitrovgrad to Simeonovgrad to Elhovo to Sredets to Burgas.

 

      For this route I will show several opportunities. The route is intended for bicyclists having more time and loving to visit and explore a wilder part of the country.


Sector VI. C - 6

 

      On the next map I have pointed all the possible routes from Popovitsa to Dimitrovgrad, I know them well as I have explored all of them in the years.

 

      The three opportunities I will show here are  as follows:

Route a

      From Popovitsa (E 80) to Debar to Varbitsa to Gorski Izvor to Dobrich to Dimitrovgrad;

 

      (The traffic along E 80 is relatively intensive. Avoid E80, especially if on a bicycle).

 

Route b

      From Popovitsa (E 80) to Milevo road 66) to Vinitsa to Parvomay to (unnamed road) Karadzhalovo to Skobelevo to Stalevo to Yabalnkovo to Krum to Dimitrovgrad;

(Traveling in as east to west direction, the route is not signed well at all).

Route c

      From Popovitsa (road 66) to Milevo to Mirovo to Plodovitovo to Chirpan (road 663) to Zetyovo to Dimitrovgrad.

      The traffic from Plovdiv to Popovitsa is intene. Avoid E 80 as much as possible. Examine Chapter: sector VI. C - 1. Route b for the route from Plovdiv to Chirpan.


Sector VI. C - 6, route a

Route a

     The route is:

      From Popovitsa to Debar to Byala Reka to Varbitsa to Gorski Izvor to Dobrich to Dimitrovgrad.

      The route is mostly flat, with a few little rolling hills. The route is easy to be pedaled in both directions.

 

      Bicyclists prefer to pedal just this route. But, the traffic here is intense. Food and water can be found along the route. At Debar (the crossroad toward Parvomai - road 667) there is a hotel.

     Just after Popovitsa is the crossroad toward Burgas: road N 66 (toward Chirpan) and Haskovo E 80 (toward   BG/Turkey Border). Water and food along the road are available. Several photos of E 80 toward Gorski Izvor:
 At Debar (the crossroad toward Parvomai - road 667) there is a hotel.

Dimitrovgrad:

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

 

      A nice way to avoid E 80 head toward Parvomay (road 667).

At Debar, join route b. 


Sector VI. C - 6, route b

 

Route b

      Another way to reach Parvomai is:

      From Popovitsa (road 66) to Milevo to (unnamed road)

  Vinitsa to Parvomay to (unnamed road) Karadzhalovo to Skobelevo to Stalevo to Yabalkovo to Krum to Dimitrovgrad.

Leaving Popovitsa, hit the road toward Burgas (road 66) to the first village Milevo.

      In Milevo turn right toward Vinitsa. The road is not signed, GPS device just here would be useful. From

  Milevo to Vinitsa you will pedal off road,  avoiding the traffic.

      The road from Milevo to Parvomay is much better, again no traffic here. Seeing a sign without letters on it,

indicates you have reached Parvomai.

     The route is down the stream of Maritsa River, It is very pleasant to be pedaled,  it is a calm country side without any traffic.

      Parvomai is little town appropriate to have a coffee relax in the hot summer days - the only photo I have of the town. Information for it:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/plovdiv/parvomay/parvomay

 

      After Parvomai look for Karadzhalovo, the road is not signed, but it is easy to be found out; it is very calm countryside away from the main roads, without any traffic.

The entire area is very nice to set up a tent; food and water is available in the villages along the road. Most of the pictures are taken in June 2020.


Sector VI. C - 6, route c

Route c

      Another nice opportunity is to pedal toward Chirpan and after to turn toward Dimitrovgrad:

      From Popovitsa to Milevo to Mirovo to Plodovitovo to

 

Chirpan to Zetyovo to Dimitrovgrad.

      Again, there is a little traffic along this route, entire area is best for pedaling. The next several photos are the countryside from Popovitsa and Chirpan.

      As the road 663 from Chirpan to Dimitrovgrad to Simeonovgrad is just after reconstruction, it is in very nice conditions, and taking into account that there is very   little traffic here, I would suggest you to ride just this route in both directions. The next several photos are the area from Popovitsa toward Chirpan.

The road from Plodovitovo toward Chirpan crosses a little bit higher field, so back toward Rodopi Mountais a very nice view is revealed.

And several more photos of the same area having emotional value for me from tours I have done in the years.

Overnight accommodations are possible in Chirpan. Information for it and several photos.

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


      Before finishing this route in Dimitrovgrad, I'd like to state one more time: 1.The traffic from Plovdiv to Popovitsa is heavy; 2. Avoid E80 as much as possible; 3. For the route from Plovdiv to Chirpan look at Chapter: sector VI. C - 1. Route b.

 

The route is:

      From Plovdiv (road 56) to Skutare (road 565 )to Rogosh to Manole to Manolsko Konare to Shishmantsi to Belozem to Opalchenets to Orizovo to Cherna Gora to (road 664) Chirpan.


Zetyovo is a bigger village along the road, food shops are available in it.


From Dimitrovgrat to Simeonovgrad: The road663 is in very good condition and you will find very little traffic.

      The route follows a pleasant ride down the stream on the Maritsa River to Simeonovgrad.

        Food is available in villages along the road. Pedaling in either direction in this area is really scenic.

I have pedaled this road often. The area is beautiful to camp in the wilderness. I enjoy setting up my tent

on the highest point.

I am not sure if overnight accommodations are available in Simeonovgrad

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


Route B

Sector VI. C - 7

From Simeonovgrad to Topolovgrad

      As it can be seen from the map above, more opportunities are available in this sector:

Routes a & b:

From Simeonovgrad toward Topolovgrad;

Routes a & b & c:   

From Simeonovgrad toward Elhovo to Bolyarovo;

 

Route d:

From Simeonovgrad toward Skalitsa to Tenevo toTamarino.

 

      For more detail description I will increase the scale, parting Sector VI. C - 7 into two sub sectors.


Sector VI. C - 7. a

Sector VI. C - 7. a

Route a

      Pedaling here is a great pleasure. It is the area of Sakar Mountain, not a high mountain. The route is:

 

     From Simeonovgrad (road 554) to Svirkovo (road 7604) to Ovcharovo to Bogomil (road 76) to Branitsa to Cherepovo to Balgarska Polyana to Hlyabovo to Topolovgrad.

      Yes, the climbing here is relatively longer comparing with the other routes in this sector, but the hills are not steep. From the road profile chart is obvious that the climbing is 480 meters difference in the altitudes for a   distance of more than 35 kilometers. A nice advantage is that here there is not any traffic. Another advantage is that route is away from the large zone of mining along the next route (route b).

      Six - seven kilometers after Simeonovgrad there is a nice water spring with beautiful cool water. This spot is the

  best place to relax in the hot summer afternoons - in this area the summer afternoons are really hot.

      I do not remember, but I think food shops are available in the villages along the road. In Cherepovo, I supplied myself with food just before setting up my tent.

        In Balgarska, Polyana, and Hliabovo food shops are available.

      Just before Hlyabovo is a dolmen called "Nachovi Chairi". It is the biggest one found in Bulgaria. If my information is true, there were more than 600 such

 

objects in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, they were destroyed by treasure hunters.

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/the-dolmens/

      Very little information for Topolovgrad is available here:

http://www.guide

-bulgaria.com/SC/haskovo/topolovgrad/topolovgrad

 

      I am not sure if overnight accommodations are available in the little town, but there is a nice coffee place in the shade and free wifi.


Sector VI. C - 7. a

Route b

The route is: From Simeonovgrad to Kalugerovo to

 

Pyasachevo to Galabovo to Obruchiste to Mednikarevo to Iskritsa to Madrets to Orlov Dol to Topolovgrad.

I prefer this route when I am pedaling from Burgas to Plovdiv. Next several photos are the countryside from Simeonovgrad to Galabovo.The traffic can build up. But, it is not dangerous.

       Overnight accommodations in Galabovo are available (the first photo below). Very little information for Galabovo can be seen here:

 

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

 

Three photos from Galabovo:

      Next photos illustrate the countryside from Galabovo to Madrets. The entire area is nice for camping in the wilderness. Food and water can be found in the small villages along the road. There are 3 - 4 rolling hills here, but the pedalling is not hard at all.  

      The area between Galabovo and Madrets is a zone of coal mining, 3 big steam electricity plants are operating here, giving more than 40% of the electricity in the country.

      The next several photos illustrate the beautiful countryside:

From Madrets to Orlov Dol to Hlyabovo to Topolovgrad.

 

      Again, it is a very nice route; a road without any traffic.  I do not remember if in Orlov Dol there was a food shop, but I remember it is a dry area, so bring water with you. In Hlyabovo food is available.


Sector VI. C - 7. a

Route c

      This route misses Topolovgrad. It connects Simeonovgrad and Elhovo, in the map above shows only a part of it (to Skalitsa). In the next sector I will continue.

 

      As in the previous item (the route 2) I have shown the road profile chart from Simeonovgrad to Madrets, next I show only the road segment from Madrets to Elhovo.

      The route is:

      From Simeonovgrad to Galabovo to Madrets to Polski Gradets to Matsa to Ovchi Kladenets to Skalitsa.

      The road profile chart shows this hilly area. A longer hill here is from Skalitsa toward General Toshevo. The pedaling is not hard at all, although summer   afternoons here are quite hot. In all the villages along the road food and water are available.

Sector VI. C - 7

From Simeonovgrad to Topolovgrad

 

Sector VI. C - 7. b

Sector VI. C - 7. b:

Route c

      First, I will finish with the route c from the previous section. We followed the route from Simeonovgrad

 

to Skalitsa; now, this sector finishes in Elhovo:

      From Skalitsa to General Toshevo to Golyam Manastir to Malak Manastir to Pchela to Izgrev to Elhovo.

This area is called Monastery Hills. Climbing here is approx 150 meters. The next several photos taken in June '20,

 shows the area from Elhovo toward Madrest.

Food and water are available in the villages along the road.

Sector VI. C - 7. b

     In the sector VI. C - 7. a it was shown that at Hlyabovo both routes a and b are joining, so the next route toward Elhovo is:

 

Routes a & b

From Topolovgrad to Knyazhevo to Elhovo (+ route c) to Dobrich to Zlatinitsa to Bolyarovo.

      The next several photos show the countryside from Topolovgrad to Elhovo. The second photo below shows the view toward Monastery Hills, from Sakar Mountain.

 

      The road is very nice, hardly no traffic. Food and water are available in Knyazhevo.

The next several pictures are illustrate the road N7, just after Knyazhevo toward Elhovo. The traffic here is intensive.

Very little information about Elhovo is available here:

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

      In the sector VI. C - 7. b it is seeing that all the routes a, b and c are joining at Elhovo, so the next route toward

 

Bolyarovo is: Routes a & b & c

From Elhovo to Dobrich to Zlatinitsa to Bolyarovo.

The road is in very nice condition, no traffic here. Bring food with you if necessary, in Zlatinitsa there is not a food shop.

Several more photos of the same countryside taken in the middle of May '22.

Overnight accommodations in Bolyarovo can not be found easily. Information for Bolyarovo:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SE/yambol/bolyarovo/bolyarovo

Free wi fi is available in the coffee in the center of the little city.


Sector VI. C - 7. b

Sector VI. C - 7. b: Route d

 

I will continue with the last opportunity in this region:

 

Route d

From Skalitsa to Miladinovtsi to Krumovo to General Inzovo to Tenevo to Simeonovo to Saransko to Tamarino.  

The road crosses not deep valley of Tundzha River (at Tenevo).

The road from Krumovo to Miladinovtsi is not signed well.

The road from Tenevo to Simeonovo to Saransko to Tamarino, more than 20 kilometers, is up hill. It is not steep, but it looks endless and it is really tough to pedal

  on hot summer days. There isn’t any shade. Temperatures often reach 40 deg C in the summer.  Bring water.

A nice spot is available in the next village, Tamarino. There you can find a motel & restaurant and very nice swimming pool. 


 

 

 

Sector VI. C - 8

From Bolyarovo to Sredets

 

 

In this sector I will describe routes a & b & c and route d toward Sredets, where all they are joining.

 

 

 

Routes a & b & c

From Bolyarovo to Golyamo Krushevo to Sredets.

 

       This segment is very pleasant for pedaling. Starting with fields, then some hills, and finely recognizing the road is in very nice condition. After Bolyarovo, you will enter the Strandhza Mountains. The climb is difficult at all, nature has been saved, and the scenery is perfect. On the map I have shown a spot with a restaurant and water spring (the point 908 on the map above).

      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 in 2000. It is located in the southeastern part of country, its southern border coincides with the Bulgarian 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:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/strandzha-nature-park/

Six, seven kms east from Bolyarovo there is a water spring, just at the crossroad toward St. Karadzhovo.

      Although I have pedaled this road many times, I do not remember if food is available in Golyamo Krushevo.

        At the highest point of this route segment there is a restaurant.

After Golyamo Krushevo the road enter Strandzha Mountain. The road is in very nice condition, hills are not steep,

a shade is available as well.

The same area, middle of May ' 22.

At the crossroad with  road 908 on the map above there is a water spring and a restaurant. It is a very nice spot to relax for a while.

Once reaching the highest point, it follows 20 kilometers downhill pedaling toward Sredets. In the reverse

direction the route is not hard either.

Route d:             From Tamarino to Voynika to Zornitsa to Sredets.

    In the previous item I finished route d in Tamarino, mentioning the motel & restaurant and very nice   swimming pool, a place appropriate to spend a night, or relax in the hot summer day.  

      The next several photos are towards Zornitsa. The road segment from Tamarino toward Sredets has not been maintained, drivers definitely avoid this road segment, which makes pedaling a pleasure and safe.

        The area is almost flat with no high rolling hills. In the hot summer days pedaling here can be a little tough. Food and water is available in the villages along the road.
The same point, countryside in August and early June.

      The next photos illustrate the countryside toward Sredets. I love this area to the middle of June. Later, the sun dries everything and the scenery turns yellow.

  brown as it can be seen from the photos below, taken in September '20.

Overnight accommodations are available in Sredets - just before enter from Zornitsa. Information for Sredets:            http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/se/bourgas/sredets/sredets

The same area in the middle of May ' 22.

 

 

 

 

Sector VI. C - 9

From Sredets to Burgas

 

 

 

Route a

      It is road 79 from Sredets to Burgas.

 

 

 

      The traffic from Sredets to Burgas is relatively intensive, but the road is well maintained and wide.

 

 

Several photos from this area - a spring of fresh water just after Sredets and my camp place next to it. At Debelt just next to the road there is a restaurant.

Entering in Meden Rudnik Suburb you will see a bike lane, pedalling along it you will reach the Line Station in

Burgas and the Sea Garden.

Pedalling further toward Burgas, from the left id the Lake of Burgas. Information for it:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/lake-burgas/

Route b

      And the last opportunity I will mention here is the road surrounding Mandra Dam from the south (road 7908).

 

In summer of '17 I explored this area here are a lot of biting flies. They are terrible pedaling up the hill. The road in the saved area is in poor condition.

      Food and water are available in Dimchevo. Information for Mandra Dam and Reserve "Poda":

 

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

Several photos of this area.

      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, and I go back home by a train; at Burgas Rail Station it is possible to load bikes on the train. The train is there an hour to its departing,  Several photos from Burgas and its Sea Garden:


 

 

 

Toward Burgas Airport

 

 

      Entering Burgas (Meden Rudnik Suburb) from Sredets you will see a velo lane on your right. The velo lane will lead you to Burgas Line Station, Burgas Port, Burgas Sea Garden and Sarafovo where you will locate the Burgas Airport.

      If you arrive late in the evening or leave the town early in the morning by a plane, you can find  a hotel next to Burgas Airport in Sarafovo, placed 5 min walking to the airport.

      The Map in left shows the way you can reach Sarafovo from Burgas. No problem to use the motor road, but the traffic there is crazy.

 

 

The home page of the Burgas Airport:

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/boj

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next 3 photos are the velo lane next to the beach toward Sarafovo.

      Leaving the velo lane, you will climb toward Sarafovo - you can not be wrong, a lot of bicyclists permanently pedal this distance. Sarafovo is in front of you.

        In the back direction, you have to enter in Sarafovo and in its center you have to turn right. Soon you will be in the field, away in front of you will see Burgas.

      On the map above I have pointed the nice area for camping in the wilderness. Many times I camped there -

  on the beach, near the old military bunker or in the field next to Atanasovsko Lake.

For the back route from Burgas to Plovdiv, I recommend  the route:

From Burgas to Sredets to Tamarino to Skalitsa to Madrets to Simeonovgrad to Dimitrovgrad to Popovitsa to Plovdiv.




Sector VI. C - 10

      I will expand a little my description including here routes toward the south part of the Black Seaside toward Tsarevo, Primorsko and Sozopol avoiding the traffic. You will have no problem to reaching Burgas from these points. On the map above I have shown

 

possible routes to reach different points on the seaside. The next routes are for more adventurous bicyclists. The next route is a bypass from road 79 (from Bolyarovo toward Burgas) to road E 87 (from Burgas to Border Checkpoint Malko Tarnovo - BG / Turkey Border).

The distance from point A to point B

      For forty kilometers you will be pedaling in a wooded wilderness; the longest distance in the wilderness in Bulgaria. It is very nice mountain road with hardly any auto traffic at all. The road is labeled in Point A (road 79). The road is in poor condition, but nice for pedaling. Bring food and water and food with you. Have in mind that the village of Varovik is almost deserted.

 

      Have a spray against dogs! Carry dog spray!

      The careful readers have remembered that at the point A , on the map above, you will find a restaurant. If you head to the right (the first photo below - toward Malko Tarnovo), after 40 kilometers you will be on the road E 87 (Point B).

      The road is signed well, no way to get lost. More photos of this beautify area.

     

      Seventeen kilometer after the crossroad (point A) you will see a nice tap of drinkable water, the only one on the route to Vizitsa. It is the best place to wash all of your equipment, refresh and relax for a while.

The entire area is a National Reserve. Everywhere you will see very informative signs about the area. Never

  mind this area is a Reserve, the camp in the wilderness is possible. Don't be afraid by the jackals weep in the night.

More photos of this area taken in May '22. Everywhere the foliage is so beautiful.


Next I will give several routes to reach different points at Black Seaside avoiding the traffic. 

Route a:         From Point B to Vizitsa to Kondolovo to Balgari to Izgrev to Tsarevo.

      Point B (E87) is easy to recognize. E87 it is an international road from Turkey to Bulgaria. It is an international road, but not many people use it. E87 is

  appropriate to pedal toward Burgas as well. The next photos are the place for leaving the Road 908 and signs toward Vizitsa (Road 907) and Tsarevo.

The next three photos are the countryside toward Vizitsa along the local road 907.

 In Vizitsa, you will find nether food nor coffee. There is a tap of drinkable water available in Vizitsa.

      The next village is Kondolovo. Entering you will see a little restaurant called "The Last Bullet". The owner of the restaurant is the local major. He is very friendly man. Next to the restaurant is his home, a little chapel, spring of

  fresh water and a meadow, where you can set up your tent. He told me, that bicyclists are camping regularly at this nice spot. Soon there will be a shower too.
Toward Izgrev and Tsarevo.

Tsarevo has a lovely lane along the sea with nice coffee places to relax and enjoy the view. Information and several photos from Tsarevofor Tsarevo:               https://bulgariatravel.org/en/tsarevo/

There is a nice beach is south from Tsarevo, Nestinarka. Next several photos are the road toward

Nestinarka Beach and the beach itself.

Summer 2022 in Carevo

Sector VI. C - 10

Route b

The next route is for more adventurous bicyclists loving off road: Vizitsa to Pismenovo - off road.

From Point B to Vizitsa to Pismenovo to Primorsko.

Pismenovo is a bigger village. In the summer people come to this village to relax on the local beaches.

Food, water, even overnight accommodations are available here.

      Primorsko is a popular resort due to its very nice beaches. Always is possible to find out overnight accommodation here. Information for Primorsko:

 

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/primorsko/

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

http://www.beachbulgaria.com/primorsko/

The next several photos are of the beach placed north from Primorsko, one of the best beaches among our seaside.


Sector VI. C - 10

Route c

Another approach to Primorsko is the road E87:

From Point A to Vizitsa to Krushevets to Novo Panichareci to Yasna Polyana to Primorsko.

Another road segment which is very nice for pedaling especially in this direction. Food and water are available in Krushevets and Yasna Polyana.

The next several photos are the countryside toward Novo Panicharevo, Yasna Polyana and Primorsko.

Sector VI. C - 10

Route d

      Sozopol is a nice place to visit in the tourist season.      From Point A to Vizitsa to Krushevets to Novo Panicharevo to Yasna Polyana to Veselie to Ravadinovo to Sozopol.

        Like other places I have mentioned, there is hardly any traffic. The road segment from Yasna Polyana to Sozopol is one of the segments I have not pedaled.

      Sozopol is an ancient town and it is worth spending an afternoon walking the area, relaxing, and having a beer or coffee. A lot of information for Sozopol is

 

available here:

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

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/sozopol/

http://www.beachbulgaria.com/sozopol/

      Entering in the old part of Sozopol, you will see a church holding relics of John the Baptist. They were discovered several years ago during archaeological excavations of the ancient Byzantine church remains under the authority of a prominent Bulgarian Professor and Archaeologist. Two independent tests of the bones were carried out in Universities of London and Copenhagen.

 

      DNA analysis showed that these were the bones of  a human - a man who lived in the Levant at the beginning of the new era. More information for it can be seen here:

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/08/12/

bulgaria.john.baptist.relics/index.html

 

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

Mere photos from Sozopol. I love to have a cup of coffee here, but that's all. I do not love overcrowded areas.


 

In the Chapter IV. Bicycling along Black sea side you can see a lot for Black Seaside.

 



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