VI. Routes: D. From Sofia to Plovdiv (to Edirne in Turkey)

       For the routes from Sofia to Edire here I would suggest three opportunities. According the time you have and areas you love to explore, you can choose one of the variants:

Route A

     This route is the easiest and shortest one - the pedalling is in Thracian field:

       From Sofia to Belovo to Pazardzhik to Plovdiv to Haskovo to Harmanli to Svilengrad to Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo to Edirne;

Route B

      This route maybe is the most scenic you will explore

area between Balkans and Sredna Gora Mountain from Sofia to Kazanlak:

      From Sofia to Sopot to Kazanluk to Nova Zagora to Svilengrad to Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo;

Route C

This route is the longest one, it is purposed for bicuclists loving mountain areas -  Rodopi Mountains:

      From Sofia to Ihtiman to Belovo to Velingrad to Dospat to Smolyan to Kardzhali to Momchilgrad to Border Checkpoint Ivailovgrad to Edirne.

 (Lets bicyclists having no time to research the routes below in details have in mind that the traffic in the Border Checkpoint in red is very intensive.)

From Sofia to Plovdiv to Edirne (in Turkey)

Route A

      The next route is the shortest distance from Sofia to Edirne:

      From Sofia to Elin Pelin to Vakarel to Ihtiman to 

Kostenets to Belovo to Pazardzhik to Plovdiv to Popovitsa to Haskovo to Harmanli to Svilengrad to Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo to Edirne.

     The route from Sofia to the Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo is a segment of the ancient General Roman military road Vindobona:

From Vienna to Singidumun (Belgrade) to Naissus (Nis)

to Remesiana (Bela Palanka) to Tures (Pirot) to Skretiska (Kostinbrod) to Serdica (Sofia) to Philippopolis (Plovdiv) to Adrianople (Edirne)  to Byzantium to Constantinople.

For more detail description I will part the route A into 4 sectors:

Sector I. D - 1

From Sofia to Pazardzhik (distance 110 km.) to Plovdiv

Sector I. D - 2

From Pazardzhik to Plovdiv to Popovitsa (distance 65 km.)

Sector I. D - 3

From Popovitsa to Harmanli (distance 82 km.)

Sector I. D - 4

From Harmanli to Edirne (distance 66 km.)

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik (to Plovdiv)

Sector VI. D - 1

      In this sector I will give five opportunities (routes a - e) to reach Pazardzhik from Sofia. You can choose the best of you according the time you have and area you would prefer to explore. 

Route a

From Sofia to Elin Pelin to Novi Han to Vakarel to Ihtiman to Kostenets to Belovo to Pazardzhik.

      It is the most known and the most popular road among the long distance bicyclists. The road is easy to be

pedalled in the direction west - east, I do recommend it in

the back direction too. Food, water, overnight accommodation along the route are not a problem.

      The next route I would recommend to more adventure peddlers loving to explore the mountain area as well as loving the wild camping:

Route b

From Sofia to Ihtiman to Muhovo to Lesichovo to Kalugerovo to Dragor to Pazardzhik.

     The next 2 routes I would recommend again to more adventure peddlers loving to explore the mountain area  (Sredna Gora Mountain) as well as loving the wild camping:

Route c

From Sofia to Elin Pelin to Vakarel to Poibrene to Oboriste

to Panagyuriste to Popintsi to Levski to Pazardzhik;

Route d

From Sofia to Gorna Malina to Bailovo to Petrich to Poibrene to Oboriste to Panagyuriste to Popintsi to Levski to Pazardzhik,

      And one more route including Samokov.  I know some bicyclists want to visit Samokov and Borovets Resort using road 82. It is a road with intensive traffic, so the next alternative is much saver.

Route e

From Sofia to Bistritsa to Zheleznitsa to Kovachevtsi to Relovo to Samokov to Dolna Banya to Kostenets to Belovo to Pazardzhik.

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik

routes a & b

Route a (road 8)       

      It it is the shortest route from Sofia to Plovdiv, and most of bicyclists prefer to pedal it:

      From Sofia to Dolni Bogrov to Musachevo to Elin Pelin

      Of first, the most important is to leave/ enter Sofia. Follow my next instruction !!!

      1. 1.  Leaving Sofia (see also the Chapter IX. 

How to enter/leave Sofia by bicycle

The direct road to leave/enter Sofia towards/from Plovdiv

is so called “Tsarigradsko shose” Str. (N 7 on the map below), after the ring around Sofia it becomes the motorway “Trakiya” (A1).  It is one of the most dangerous roads in Sofia and bicycling along it is forbidden.

AVOID IT !!!

Sector VI. D - 1. a

1. 2.  From Sofia to Ihtiman (road 8) 

The road profile chart

     With "R" on the map above I point restaurants available on the road. Just after crossing the ring around Sofia, follow the sign toward Burgas (to right - pic. 1). Move ahead to the next crossroad and again you have to follow the sign toward Burgas (to right again - pic. 2). So heading toward Burgas you will avoid Vitinia Pass and motor way A2.

     Be sure, it is the safest way to leave Sofia !!! I would recommend to use the same route entering in Sofia coming from Plovdiv.

      When you are leaving the Sofia ring, look awaaaaay to east. If visibility is good, just on the horizon you will see a pylon. The pylon is just above Vakarel. That pylon will be at the highest point (alt. 860 m.) you have to climb between Sofia and Edirne.

     Once Vakarel (altitude 860 m.) is reached, a quite impressive view is revealed toward Rila Mountain, especially in the spring, when the area here is green and Rila Mountain is still covered by snow.

      On the next map I want to show a netter camping place: coming from Sofia, just before enter in Vakarel, head toward Selyanin. 2022 I camped there 2 times

      Several kilometers of the road after Vakarel down toward Ihtiman are not reconstructed since many years and it is in a very very bad conditions, and drivers definitely avoid this road segment.

Next little town down the hill is Ihtiman:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/sofia/ihtiman/ihtiman

Overnight accommodation in it is possible, but as long as I have information, it would be better to avoid it. At least, there are coffee places and restaurants

      The route is:

From Ihtiman to Mirovo to Kostenets to Belovo to Lozen to Zvanichevo to Pazardzhik.

      It can be said that this is one of the most pleasant road

      The next village is Momin Prohod, a place with nice thermal water, but still not developed as a resort place.

      There is a restaurant in it and very nice spring of water. Only have in mind that half of the taps supply with thermal water of 80 deg C. I have unpleasant experience with this spring using it years ago for the first time.

      No much information concerning Momin Prohod:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/momin-prohod/

      Going further you will reach Kostenets, a little town, I do not like it as well.

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/sofia/kostenets/kostenets

 ٭Opportunities:                           1. Dolna Banya:

     If you need here for overnight accommodation, I would suggest you to visit either Dolna Banya or Kostenets Village  placed 10 and 9 kilometer respectively away from Kostenets - look the map above. Both places are little spa resorts having nice springs of thermal water, and places for relax you can stay for an afternoon, or a night.

      Just entering in the Dolna Banya (road 82), you will see a hotel and a beautiful swimming pool of thermal water are near it. Although the hotel is not the best place, its garden, restaurant and especially the swimming pool are perfect. More information about Dolna Banya can be seen here:

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/dolna_banya/dolna_banya.htm

     A little further is so called Complex Europe (it is easy to be seen from the road, maybe it is the best place in Dolna Banya, and well, a little more expensive. There are three perfect swimming pools with thermal water of different temperature in each, you can choose the best for you. Another advantage is that there is not so crowded like the first I have mentioned above. 

      Another nice place up the road is hotel Nikol, I have not photos of it.

      2. Kostenets Village: And the next place I want to mention is Kostenets Village (10 km south-west from Kostenets), a place with 2-3 nice hotels for relax and beautiful thermal water (the road toward it is not numbered on the maps).

I like it much more than the little town Kostenets. There is a waterfall, really it is not Niagara, but still lovely to walk to it.

http://kostenets-tourism.com/en/locations/item/id/5

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/sofia/kostenets/kostenets_v

      Pedalling down toward Belovo, near Gabrovnitsa you will find a nice restaurant. The road segment to Belovo is more than pleasant to be pedalled.

      Belovo is a little town, overnight accommodation is available in it.

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/pazardjik/belovo/belovo

      You easy will recognize you are in the town - a mountains of toilet paper are sailed in the town - the biggest in Bulgaria paper mill (BelanaPlc.) that produces

      East from Belovo (just near the road) there is very nice swimming pool of mineral water (26 deg C), a perfect place to have a beer while relaxing for an afternoon.

      East from Belovo already you are entering in Thracian Field. The next several photos illustrate the countryside of Thracian Field toward Pazardzhik.

Sector II. B - 1. b - 1

The traffic on road N8 after Belovo and especially after

      Follow the route:

      From Belovo to Semchinovo to Simeonovets to Varvara to Vetren Dol to Patalenitsa to Lyahovo to Mokriste to Pazardzhik.

      There is no high hills here, pedalling is pleasant, you will be next to Rodopi Mountain. At your left side there will be a nice view toward Thracian Field.

      The several next pics are between Belovo, Semchinovo  and Simeonovets with its church and bell tower . 

Varvara (and Vetren Dol)

as a base points to explore Rodopi Mountain

     In Varvara there is a nice motel and swimming pool of mineral water. Have only in mind that weekends in the summer time (June - August) this spot is overcrowded by relaxing tourists and there will be not free beds (Friday & Saturday nights) in the motel.

Some information for Varvara and Vetren dol:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/pazardjik/septemvri/varvara

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/pazardjik/septemvri/vetren_dol

There are another possibilities for overnight accommodation in Varvara or Vetren Dol as well.

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/pazardjik/septemvri/vetren_dol

    The left photo - a motel ("Родопско ханче" : "Rodopsko Hanche") in Varvara (nice restaurant and small swimming pool are available here as well) - on the road coming from Septemvri (I recommend it);

      The right photo - a private home-hotel ("Радовата къща": "Radovata Kasta") in Vetren Dol - on the road coming from Pazardjik.

In the end, several photos for the countryside toward Vetren Dol, Patalenitsa, Lyahovo and

Pazardzhikin showing the different seasons in the region.

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik

Sector VI. D - 1

Route b (road 803)

      Bicyclists, fans of the wilderness and mountain pedalling, would like my next route toward Pazardzhik. It is a route without any traffic.

      From (Sofia to) Ihtiman to Muhovo to Lesichkovo to Kalugerovo to Dinkata to Dragor to Pazardzhik.

      In the previous item I have given information for the route from Sofia to Ihtiman, so here I will describe only the distance from Ihtiman to Pazardzhik.

      The entire this It area is beautiful for bicyclists loving the wilderness !!! I recommend it in the both direction.

       This area is perfect for bicycling, there is not any traffic, although 3 - 4 km after the crossroad toward Muhovo there is an additional hill 5 - 6 km long. Food is available 

in Lesichovo, Kalugerovo and Dinkata.

      The climbing after Muhovo in the back direction is a little bit longer and harder.

      Several kilometers east from Ihtiman is the crossroad toward Muhovo. The sign at the crossroad is not written in Latin, as it can be seen in the left photo, but it is easy to be recognized.

     Have in mind that from Ihtiman to Lesichovo there is not food and water.  

The road is on the wall of Topolnica Dam - the view there is quite impressive.

The entire area is beautiful for camp in the wilderness.

The last five pics above and the next ones are taken between Pazardzhik and

Lesichovo - one of my favourite routes for an afternoon.

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik

Sector VI. D - 1(routes c & d)

Route c (road 801)

      Again this route is for peddlers loving mountains and wilderness, it is another very good opportunity to avoid the traffic and elongate the route a little. The route is:

      From (Sofia to) Vakarel to Belitsa to Poibrene to Oboriste to Panagyuriste to Popintsi to Levski to Gelemenovo to Saraya to Pazardzhik.

For more detail description I will part this route in two sectors:

sector VI. D - 1. a

      The route here is:

      From (Sofia to) Vakarel to Belitsa to Poibrene to Oboriste to Panagyuriste.

       In Vakarel turn to the left, the road is signed well. Do not

      Away south-west from you is Rila Mountain, unfortunately my photos can not show this impressive

      The road is in very nice conditions. It is a calm, no man's land, have in mind that in Belitsa there is not a food shop. Entering in Poibrene just next to the bridge on Topolnitsa River there is a thermal spring, from the other

side of the square is the local food shop and coffee. In the back direction after Poibrene is a longer, almost 10 kms climbing.

      The next several photos illustrate the countryside from Poibrene to Oboriste to Panagyuriste.

      Panagyuriste is connected with the history of Bulgaria. Information about the area can be seen here:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/town-of-panagyurishte/

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

      Overnight accommodation is possible in the town. Several photos:

      In the town center you can visit the Museum of History. It is divided into exhibitions dedicated to Archeology, Ethnography, Bulgaria from the 15th to

the 19th centuries, Contemporary Bulgaria, and Natural History.

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/the-panagyurishte-museum-of-history/

      In a basement of the museum is exposed a Thracian Gold Treasure (9 pieces, almost 7 kg), estimated to be worth more than US $200,000,000. The exhibition is quite impressive, it is worth to be seen. Look here for

information:

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

      In Bulgaria are found out a lot of Thracian treasures, information about it is in the next link:

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

      Another small spa resort is in the next little town Strelcha. Overnight accommodation in it is not a problem, it is worth spending an afternoon near swimming pool of thermal water:

http://www.bulgaria-guide.com/guide/Strelcha/207426/

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

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SC/pazardjik/strelcha/strelcha

Several photos from this beautiful spot.

      In the end, several photos from Thracian Field just between Chernogorovo and Pazardzhik. The pictures

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik

Sector VI. D - 1

Route d (road 6004)

      Again this route is for peddlers loving mountains and wilderness, it is another very good opportunity to avoid the traffic and elongate the route a little. The route is:     

     Once leaving Sofia (after Sofia Ring) you have only to follow signs toward Burgas, the road is signed very well. And here is maybe the most tedious road segment

      Entering  in Gorna Malina, you will see a big tourist complex including swimming pool, restaurant,

      Leaving Gorna Malina, you will enter in the mountain area, no any traffic here. The next several photos are from my tour along this route in May '20.

1. From Sofia to Pazardzhik

Sector VI. D - 1

Route e

(roads 181 & 62 & 82)

      The most important, if you decide to pedal toward Samokov, is to avoid road 82. It really is very scenic, along Iskar River Gorge and near Iskar Dam, but the traffic here is very intensive. Especially weekends the traffic is terrible, the road is not forbidden for heavy trucks.

      The route I recommend you is:

      From Sofia to Bistritsa to Zheleznitsa to Kovachevtsi to Belchinski Bani to Samokov to Borovets to Dolna Banya to Kostenets to Belovo to Pazardzhik.

      It is a route I would recommend to bicyclists loving pedaling in the mountain area. Here you will climb Vitosha Mountain and Rila Mountain, of course their low parts.

      The road profile chart shows that climbing of the route e is much more than all the other routes from Sofia to Pazardzhik.

      The advantage here is that the descending here also is much more :) . . .

      I will increase the scale a little, parting this route into two parts:

Sector VI. D - 1. a

     The leaving of Sofia (road 181) here is a little complicated and I can not give you an acceptable advice what to do, so, a decision here is to follow your GPS device looking for the road N181.

      The road profile chart shows that climbing starts immediately after Sofia ring (road 18).

      And very soon a nice panoramic view is revealed behind you.

      Yes, there is a traffic here towards Bistritsa and Zheleznitsa, but I think the road is not dangerous - it is steep and narrow as well as there are a lot of turns, so car's velocity is very low here. Heavy trucks are not driving here, but busses of the public transport are available.

      So, starting from Sofia Center towards the highest point there are more than 30 kilometers of climbing. Bistritsa and Zheleznitsa are like suburbs of Sofia,

      After Zheleznitsa the traffic disappears. To the top of the mountain there are  7 - 8 km. On the top there is

      Once reaching the mountain divide, a very nice view toward Rila Mountain is revealed in front of you, but

      In Belchinski Bani there is a nice swimming pool of thermal water just next to the road - the photo in left. I think there is a place for overnight accommodation. Food shops are available in all the villages along the road. All that area is very nice to camp in the wilderness.

A little information for Belchindki Bani:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/belchinski-bani-belchin-baths/

      Because the road 62 is with an intensive traffic, my suggestion is from Belchinski Bani to head toward Relyovo, so you will avoid pedaling several more

      So, soon you will be in Samokov. The town has developed considerably the last years, because it is close to Borovets - a skiing resort in Rila Mountain.

      Overnight accommodation is available in Samokov. Several photos and information for it:

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

Sector VI. D - 1. b

Toward Kostenets here I will point 2 possible routes:

Route e - 1 (road 82)

From Samokov to Borovers Skiing Resort to Raduil to Maritsa to Dolna Banya to Kostenets

Route e - 2

From Samokov to Shipochane to Gutsal to Maritsa to Dolna Banya to Kostenets.

      Comparing both routes it is obvious that the second one include 300 meters less climbing, it is really easier. The disadvantage here is that the traffic several kilometers along road 822 is relatively more intensive, I do not thing this road is dangerous.

Route e - 1 (road 82):

      From Samokov to Borovers Skiing Resort to Raduil to Maritsa to Dolna Banya to Kostenets.

      The next several photos illustrate the area after Camokov toward Borovets. The climbing is a little more than 10 kilometers, it is not hard at all. The road is nice, the traffic here is available in the winter, when tourists use Samokov as a overnight accommodation base of Borovets skiing resort. Summertime there is not any traffic, the road is forbidden for heavy trucks as well.   

      Borovets is a popular winter skiing resort, many tourists, most from GB visited it. Information for the resort is available here:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/borovets/

     From Borovets resort to the higher part of the mountain there is a gondola type lift. The lift is almost 5 kilometers, it overcome altitude of more than kilometer beginning from alt. of 1320 meters, reaching alt. of 2370 meters for approx. 20 minutes:

https://www.borovets-bg.com/en/page

/info/lifts-trails/prices/lift-passes-prices

      Some guys load bikes in the lift and after descend madly down to Borovets Resort along skiing tracks, but I do not believe it is a wise decision.

      It would be much better to do 2 – 2.30 hour walk to the pick. The walk is easy, a harder climbing is 30 minutes just before the peak. The scenery is amazing, you will not regret if you visit this place. If it is clear, the visibility in each direction is more than 200 kilometers.

      Have heavy factor skin cream and some cream for your lips because the sun high in the mountain is very strong.

      More information and photos of this area can be seen in the Chapter VII. Nice routes in mountains: RILA Mountains

      One reaching Borovets, many kilometers down the hill are in front of you.

Food and overnight accommodation are available in Radyil and Maritsa.

A nice place for overnight accommodation is the next little town Dolna Banya.

More information about Dolna Banya can be seen here:

http://www.visitbulgaria.net/en/dolna_banya/dolna_banya.htm

      Leaving Dolna Banya (road 82), you will see a hotel and a beautiful swimming pool of thermal water are near it. Although the hotel is not the best place, its garden, restaurant and especially the swimming pool are perfect.

      I see that several new hotels will be ready very soon.

     A little before it is located so called Complex Europe (it is easy to be seen from the road), maybe it is the best place in Dolna Banya (the photo in left), and well, a little expensive. There are three perfect swimming pools with thermal water of different temperature in each, you can choose the best for you. Another advantage is that there is not so crowded like the first I have mentioned above.

      Another nice place up the road is hotel Nikol, I still have not photos of it.

      The next three photos are the area down from Dolna Banya to Kostenets.

      And the next place I want to mention is Kostenets Village (10 km south-west from Kostenets), a place with 2-3 nice hotels for relax and beautiful thermal water (the road toward it not numbered on the maps). I like it much more than the little town Kostenets. There is a waterfall,

really it is not Niagara, but still lovely to walk to it. I have mention that it is an easier route comparing with the previous one.

http://kostenets-tourism.com/en/locations/item/id/5

http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/SW/sofia/kostenets/kostenets_v

Route e - 2

From Samokov to Shipochane to Gutsal to Maritsa to Dolna Banya to Kostenets.

       I do not remember if in Gutsal there was a food shop, but photos below remember me that there was a spring of water in it.

      In the end I will only say, that in the back direction I would not choose this route from Pazardzhik to Sofia. The climbing from Kostenets to Borovets is

2. From Pazardzhik to Plovdiv to Popovitsa

Sector VI. D - 2

      All that area on the next map is Thracian Field, which is absolutely flat (please notice the altitudes of the map above and the road profile chart below). The distance from Pazardzhik to Popovitsa is 65 km.

      Here I will say several words for the two possible routes between Pazardzhik and Plovdiv (road 8).

Route a

      From Pazardzhik to Plovdiv (road 8).

     The road is just after reconstruction and the traffic here

is very very intensive. I do not think it is a dangerous road, but if you want to avoid it, my next suggestion is: this route is a little bit longer, but pedaling here according to me is much more pleasant and safe.

Route b

      From Pazardzhik to Dobrovnitsa to Pistigovo to Saedinenie to Voisil (road 805) to Benkovski to Plovdiv.

Route a

From Pazardzhik to Plovdiv (road 8).

     Entering in Plovdiv from west or east, you will see velo lanes - I have pointed in red in the map below. Unfortunately there is not an appropriate velo lane to cross the town center.

      There is a map for the velo lanes in Plovdiv, but it is

not nice, I will not show it here. If you reach the tunnel

under the hill with the Ancient Amphitheatre on it, walk in right - you will be in the walking zone of the City. In the tunnel there is a sidewalk, you can use it, but my suggestion is to visit City Center.

Route b

      To avoid the traffic from Pazardzhik to Plovdiv, much better idea is to follow the next route:

     From Pazardzhik (road 3073) to Dobrovnitsa to Pistigovo (road 6062) to Saedinenie (road 805) to Voisil to Benkovski to Plovdiv.

The area is flat, easy and pleasant to pedal here.

      When you reach Saedinenie, do not follow the first sign to Plovdiv (the first photo below). Enter in the town for a cup of coffee or lunch, and follow next

signs to Plovdiv. Information for Saedinenie:

http://www.guide-bulgaria.

com/SC/plovdiv/saedinenie/saedinenie

Toward Voysil and Benkovski

      Plovdiv is a popular tourist destination in Bulgaria, so, never mind the intensive traffic in the town, many times I have seen bicyclists visiting it.

      In Internet there is a lot of information concerning Plovdiv, so I will not write here about it.

      Detail information for Plovdiv can be seen here:

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

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

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 traffic in the last road segment from Plovdiv to Popovitsa is relative intensive, but no alternative here; I do not think it is dangerous to pedal here.

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

Routes c & d

 From Panagyuriste to Plovdiv (road 606)

      I will finish routes form Sofia to Plovdiv with an extension of routes c&d. It is a beautiful opportunity to reach Plovdiv from Sofia exploring Sredna Gora Mountain and missing Pazardzhik. The route is:

      From Panagyuriste to Strelcha to Krastevich to Krasnovo to Belovitsa to Lyuben to Nedelevo to Golyam Chardak to Malak Cherdak to Stroevo to Trud to Plovdiv (road 606)

      The road profile chart shows that the distance is easy to be pedaled in the two direction.

After Strelcha you will enter in Thracian Field. Food and water are available in all the small villages along the route.

 The entire area is nice to camp in the wilderness.

     On the map above I have pointed Starosel (road 6061). An interesting ancient archeology Thracian objects a available there - Thracian Temple Complex:

https://bulgariatravel.org/en/thracian-temple-complex-starosel/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX-NaunC8F0

3. From Popovitsa to Harmanli

Sector VI. D - 3

3. From Popovitsa to Harmanli

Sector VI. D - 3

For better description I will part this sector in two.

Sector VI. D - 3. a

Here I would suggest 3 routes:

Route a

      From Popovitsa to Debar to Byala Reka to Varbitsa to Gorski Izvor to Klokotnitsa to Haskovo to Podkrepa to Stoykovo to Harmanli (E 80).

     Because of the relatively intensive traffic along the road E 80 I would recommend the next route:

Route b

(I would recommend it only in direction from west to east; it is not signed well in the opposite direction):

      From Popovitsa to Debar to Parvomai to Karadzhalovo to Skobelevo to Stalevo to Yabalkovo to Krum to Dimitrovgrad to Brod (road 663) to Zlatopole to Simeonovgrad to Harmanli.

Route c

      Again, it is route without any traffic. The route is (roads N 66 and 663):

      From Popovitsa to Milevo to Mirovo to Plodovitovo to Chirpan to Zetyovo to Tselina to Dimitrovgrad to Simeonovgrad to Harmanli.

Route a

From Popovitsa to Debar to Byala Reka to Varbitsa to Gorski Izvor to Klokotnitsa to Haskovo to Podkrepa to Stoykovo to Harmanli.

      E 80 surround Haskovo, it is relatively big town, overnight accommodation is possible in it. Information for it can be seen here:

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

      On the map above I point a spot Mineral Bath 10 - 12 kilometers west from Haskovo (roads N 506 - from Gorski Izvor, and road 806 - from Haskovo), it is a

nice local SPA resort with very nice thermal water:

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

_bani/mineralni_bani

      I have never pedalled the road from Haskovo toward Harmanli, because of the much more nice opportunities

sector VI. D - 3. a

      As a way to avoid the intensive traffic along the road E 80 I would suggest to follow one of the next two routes:

Route b

(I would recommend it in direction from west to east: it is

not signed well in the opposite direction):

      From Popovitsa to Debar to Parvomai to Karadzhalovo to Skobelevo to Stalevo to Yabalkovo to Krum to Dimitrovgrad to Brod to Zlatopole to Simeonovgrad to Harmanli.

    The route is down the stream of Maritsa River, It is very pleasant to be pedaled - 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.

Pictures are taken in the late June 2020.

Next town is Dimitrovgrad. Information for it is available here:

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

       As an opportunity to avoid road 8 (E 80) my last suggestion concerning route b is as follows:

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

      The road from Milevo to Parvomai is much better, again no any traffic here. Seeing a sign without letters

 on it, it means you reached Parvomai in the end.

sector VI. D - 3. a

And my last suggestion in sector VI. D - 3. a is:

Route c

Again, it is route without any traffic. The route is (roads N 66 and 663):

The road from Plodovitovo toward Chirpan cross 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 accommodation is possible in Chirpan. Information for it and several photos.

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

     Before to finish this route in Dimitrovgrad, I'd like to show here one more opportunity, which is intended

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.

It is worth t mention that approx a kilometer to Manole the road crosses Stryama River - very

clean and hot water, I do not miss to camp near it for a night.

The next several photos illustrate this beautiful field.

Again we are in Dimitrovgrad.

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

From Popovitsa to Harmanli

Sector VI. D - 3

The next little town is Simeonovgrad, I am not sure if overnight accommodation is available in it.

No much to say about it:

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

The countryside toward Harmanli. The traffic on the road 554 is more intensive, I think it is not dangerous.

Just before crossing the Motor Road A 4, near the road there is a hotel.

Harmanli It is a small town, night accommodation is available in it. Information for the town:

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

4. From Harmanli to Edirne

Sector VI. D - 4

Sector VI. D - 4

       The end of my description is the south east corner of the country, where borders of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey are joining. On the map in left I have shown all the available border checkpoints. Two of them I have shown in red rectangular meaning that the traffic there is terrible, it would be better to avoid them, over more there are nice alternatives. So, your two opportunities here are:

      From Lyubimets toward:

      - Turkey Border (Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo);

      - Greece Border (Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

     Some information for Lyubimets is available here:

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

      I know that the overnight accommodation in Lyubimets is possible.

     The distance from Lyubimets to Svilengrad I have never pedaled, but the time is in front of me. If you follow the local road, you will see a road without any traffic.

      But another is my idea shown here. To avoid the overcrowded Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo (directly to Edirne, it would be much better to use Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda to enter in

Greece, and after 50 km to enter in Turkey from Greece - here you will be the only checked people at both check points. I tried it several years ago.

       As a border town, the overnight accommodation in Svilengrad is not a problem. The distance from Lyubimets to Svilengrad I have never pedaled, but the time is in front of me. If you follow the local road, you will see a road without any traffic.

      Some information for Svilengrad  it is available here:

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

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

      According to bicyclists pedaled this route and shared their experience with me, the next alternative maybe is better to be used. Because of the traffic is always intense, going at Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo (Bulgarian/Turkish border, it will be better to enter Greece first (route b) and after enter Turkey:

      From Lyubimets to Border Checkpoint Kapitan

Petko Voyvoda (E85) to Ormeino (in Greece) to Kastanios to Greece/Turkey border to Karaagach to Edirne.

     August '17 I explored just this route I can say in this area, there was not traffic - I crossed the border checkpoints for minutes without any problems. Further on, you can pedal to Istanbul along the local roads (D 100) in Turkey avoiding the motor road E80. 

From Sofia to Edirne (in Turkey)

Route B

      This route maybe is the most scenic you will explore area between Balkans and Sredna Gora Mountain from Sofia to Kazanlak:  

Sector VI. D - 5

Comparing with the route A, Route B is 40 - 50 kilometers longer, anyway, it includes the very scenic area

between Balkan and Sredna Gora Mountains.

Here I will not describe this part of the route A. A very detail information of it is given in:

Chapter VI. Routes A: A. From Sofia to Burgas

Sector VI. D - 6

      The second part of my description include the three possible routes crossing the Thracian field.

Route a

      From Tvarditsa to Sliven to Yambol to Elhovo to Border Checkpoint Lesovo.

      Immediately I would say that this route must be avoided. The roads 53 & 7 are the ones with heavy traffic. The heavy traffic from Turkey toward North Europe, including heavy trucks, is just here.

As the description for the route to Sliven is given in:

VI. Crossing Bulgaria from west to east. Routes:

A. From Sofia to Burgas

      I will show only the road profile chart from Sliven to Border Checkpoint Lesovo.

      I will mention that I did not travelled the road from Elhovo down to BG / Turkey Border.

In Sliven look for signs toward Yambol. The left photo is the only one I took just on the highest point between Sliven and Yambol.

      Information for Yambol (Overnight accommodation is possible in it): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yambol    

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

Several pictures from Yambol and the town garden.

Very little information about Elhovo is available here:

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

The next several pictures are taken several kilometers south from Elhovo. The traffic here is intensive,

although it can not be seen from the photos.

Sector VI. D - 6. a

To describe route b & c I will increase the scale a little.

A better variant according to me is

Route b

      From Tvarditsa to Banya (road 662) to Korten to Nova Zagora (road 55) to Radevo to Mlekarevo to Novoselets to Radetski to Polski Gradets to Madrets.

and

Route c

      From Tvarditsa to Banya (road 662) to Korten to Nova Zagora (road 554) to Dyadovo to Bogdanovo to Lyubenova Mahala to Radnevo to Bali Beyag to Lyubenovo to Galabovo.

      The common part of the road (the road profile chart is down):

      From Tvarditsa to Banya (road 662) to Korten to Nova Zagora.

The route includes crossing of the not high east part of Sredna Gora Mountain.

      I do not remember if in Banya there was a food shop, in Korten it was available.

       Overnight accommodation is available in Tvarditsa - you will see labels attached on the poles near the road for guests houses. I can not find any English language information for this little town.

Information for Tvarditsa is available here:

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

http://www.bestbgproperties.com/bulgarian_districts/Tvarditsa.html

Information for Nova Zagora is available here:

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

     Travelling south from Nova Zagora  (road 55) you will enter in a region of mining - in the rectangular formed between Radnevo - Galabovo - Madrets - Novoselets. 

      Here are three huge steam power plants producing more than 40 % of the electricity in BG. you will pass next to "Maritsa East Power Plant 2 " next to Ovcharitsa Dam.

Route b

From Nova Zagora (road 55) to Radevo to Mlekarevo to Novoselets to Radetski to Polski Gradets to Madrets. 

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

      From Nova Zagora (road 554) to Dyadovo to Bogdanovo to Lyubenova Mahala to Radnevo to Bali Beyag to Lyubenovo to Galabovo.

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

 Overnight accommodation in Radnevo is available. A little information for Radnevo:

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

Overnight accommodation in Galabovo is available. Very little information for Galabovo can be seen here:

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

      The area between Radnevo and Galabovo is a zone of coal mining, three big steam electricity plants are

Sector VI. D - 6. b

We will continue with the

Route b

      From Madrets ro Glavan to Dripchevo to Miladinovo to Pastrogor.

       Comparing with routes a & c, here you have to cross Sakar Mountain, which includes an additional climbing of  450 meters; in fact is not hard and easy to be pedalled. I remember, that in Pastrogor there is a food shop.

      The area is scenic, but have in mind it is very sunny, dry and hot in the summer, without any shade, so bring water with you.     

      July and August along the road there are a lot of wild plums and black berry

.

      I recommend this route, there is not any traffic here, the pedalling is save and pleasant.

The several next photos illustrate the countryside from the highest point of the road profile

chart above toward Svilengrad.

Sector VI. D - 6. b

We will continue with the

Route c

Next several photos are the countryside from Galabovo toward Simeonovgrad.

      The next little town is Simeonovgrad, I am not sure if overnight accommodation is available in it. No much to say about it, but it can be found a restaurant with

tasty meals in it:

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

/simeonovgrad/simeonovgrad

      The countryside toward Harmanli. The traffic on the road 554 is more intensive, I think it is not dangerous.

Harmanli It is a small town, night accommodation is available in it. Information for the town:

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

BACK TO:

Sector VI. D - 4

      The end of my description is the south east corner of the country, where borders of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey are joining. On the map in left I have shown the available border checkpoints. Two of them I have shown in red rectangular meaning that the traffic there is terrible, it would be better to avoid them, over more there are nice alternatives. So, your two opportunities here are:

      From Lyubimets toward:

      - Turkey Border (Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo);

      - Greece Border (Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda.

      Some information for Lyubimets is available here:

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

      I know that the overnight accommodation in Lyubimets is possible.

     The distance from Lyubimets to Svilengrad I have never pedaled, but the time is in front of me. If you follow the local road, you will see a road without any traffic.

      But another is my idea shown here. To avoid the overcrowded Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo (directly to Edirne, it would be much better to use Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda to enter in

Greece, and after 50 km to enter in Turkey from Greece - here you will be the only checked people at both check points. I tried it several years ago.

       As a border town, the overnight accommodation in Svilengrad is not a problem. The distance from Lyubimets to svilengrad I have never pedalled, but the time is in front of me. If you follow the local road, you will see a road without any traffic.

      Some information for Svilengrad  it is available here:

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

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

      According to bicyclists pedaled this route and shared their experience with me, the next alternative maybe is better to be used. Because of the traffic is always intense, going at Border Checkpoint Kapitan Andreevo (Bulgarian/Turkish border, it will be better to enter Greece first (route b) and after enter Turkey: This route crosses Rodopi Mountain.

      From Lyubimets to Border Checkpoint Kapitan Petko Voyvoda (E85) to Ormeino (in Greece) to Kastanios to Greece/Turkey border to Karaagach to Edirne.

     August '17 I explored just this route I can say in this area, there was not traffic - I crossed the border checkpoints for minutes without any problems. Further on, you can pedal to Istanbul along the local roads (D 100) in Turkey avoiding the motor road E80. 

From Sofia to Edirne (in Turkey)

Route C

      This route crosses Rodopi Mountain. I recommend it to bicyclists having more time and loving to pedal and explore mountains. The route is appropriate from the middle of June to the middle of September.

       I will not write about it; a very detail information is given in the Chapter VII.

Nice roads in mountains RODOPE Mountains

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