The Destination
Three regions. Three characters. One Bulgaria to ride.
Bulgaria is one of the few European destinations where road cycling can still mean long stretches with minimal traffic, mountain passes, varied terrain and a genuine sense of discovery. VELOVIA selects three regions that reveal different sides of the country — sunny Southwest Bulgaria around Sandanski, the high mountains of Pirin, and the quiet green roads of the Rhodopes.
Beyond the Roads
The Rhodopes are unlike any other mountain range in Europe. According to legend, this is the land of Orpheus — the mythical musician whose songs could move mountains. Whether the stories are true or not almost doesn't matter. There is a quietness here, a sense of timelessness, that riders feel from the first climb. Ancient forests, hidden villages, mountain traditions and roads that seem untouched by time. The Rhodopes are not just a place you ride through. They are a place you remember.
Progled · Rhodope Mountains
Roads so quiet you forget cars exist. Climb after climb without a single overtake.
Smooth, well-maintained mountain roads — the surface cyclists travel across Europe to find.
While the Med melts at 38°C, the high Rhodopes ride at a perfect 22–28°C.
Stone houses, slow coffee, real Bulgaria. No tourist menus, no crowds.
Long, steady, beautifully graded ascents — climbs measured in tens of kilometres.
Endless pine forests, ridgelines and silence. Europe before it got discovered.
The Riding
Long, uninterrupted climbs with minimal traffic. Every route handpicked for the feeling of being completely present on the bike.
Riding day 1
The opener. Three signature climbs through Smolyan, Smilyan and Rudozem — a true introduction to the Rhodope Mountains and the rhythm of the roads.
Ride time 5:30 – 6:00 · Three signature climbs through Smolyan, Smilyan and Rudozem
Riding day 2
A lighter day focused on rhythm, scenery and enjoying the quieter roads of the Rhodopes — still a real mountain ride, but with more space to absorb the landscape.
Ride time 3:00 – 3:30 · A lighter day focused on rhythm, scenery and the quieter roads
Riding day 3
The biggest challenge of the camp. Long climbs, high mountain roads and unforgettable views — the kind of day that becomes a story long after the ride is over.
Ride time 5:45 – 6:30 · Long climbs, high mountain roads and unforgettable views
Sandanski · Pirin · Rhodope Mountains
An ideal early-season region with a mild climate, varied road routes and the character of Sandanski, Melnik and Southwest Bulgaria.
Dolce Vita · Performance · Ladies Ride
7 nights · 6 riding days · 12 riders max
A base in Banya, near Bansko, with access to mountain roads across the Pirin and Razlog region. Ideal for summer camps, climbing and premium recovery.
Performance · Dolce Vita
7 nights · 6 riding days · 12 riders max
Quiet mountain roads, long climbs, forest sections and an authentic riding experience far from Europe’s busiest cycling destinations.
Performance · Ladies Ride · Dolce Vita
7 nights · 6 riding days · 12 riders max
Season 2027 — Early Booking prices until 15 February 2027.
