Bikepacking from Sofia to Plovdiv

This epic cycling route takes you from bustling Sofia—the lively capital of Bulgaria with its vibrant mix of Roman ruins, Soviet architecture, and Mount Vitosha on the skyline—all the way to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s charming cultural gem and one of Europe’s oldest cities.

Covering around 181 km, this journey takes you through the heart of the country with plenty of variety: you’ll tackle a total ascent of about 1,440 meters and enjoy more descent (over 1,800 meters!), with quiet roads making up over half of the route. As you roll out of Sofia, you’ll mostly be on tranquil rural roads, skirting small towns, fields, and the occasional forest. Keep an eye out for the dramatic shift in scenery as you approach the Thracian plains near Plovdiv.

Plovdiv awaits at the end—famous for its ancient Roman theater, cobblestone Old Town, and a buzzing arts scene. If you have the legs, take a spin up one of Plovdiv's hills for awesome sunset views. Most of the riding is on good pavement, so you can soak up the journey’s sights without fretting about rough surfaces. Don’t forget to grab a banitsa pastry at the finish!