Route №7

Day 1. The city of Burgas - town of Sozopol; Distance 57.3 km

Exit the city of Burgas along Burgas Lake (Vaya) in direction Sozopol, after the roundabout drive left of the dual carriage way (east side). For the next 4.5 km to Conservation Centre Poda, there is a trodden path along the road which in places is lost and must switched with the banquet of I-9 (E-87) Burgas - Malko Tarnovo (from the east side). To book a lecture in advance, tour guide or seminars, contact BSPB (Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds) via tel: +359 / 56 500 560 and +359 / 878 599 545. You can use these phone numbers in case you need a help for an injured bird. Protected area Poda is listed among the 100 national tourist sites. From Conservation Centre Poda to the Ancient and medieval fortress and port Burgos - Poros, the distance is 200 m in easterly direction back over the old bridge. The ancient tower called a "burg" is located at the swelling of Lake Mandra on Peninsula Foros, which is accessible also from the main road using the turnoff for district Kraimorie. The distance from the centre of Burgas to Poros is 9.9 km, 1.4 km of bike lanes and pedestrian zones, and the rest on asphalt roads.

From here you can drive along the coast of the peninsula Foros to its northern part, where lay preserved remains of other towers and fortress walls. Underwater karst caves, rock formations and fossils can be observed on Cape Kavkata. Construction of bike lanes along the route has been envisioned in the area planning. From Cape Foros via a detour route along the beach of district Kraimorie, the bungalow camp site Kraimorie and a dirt road through the fields near the Gypsy Bay (bg: Tsiganskiya zaliv), drive to protected area Chengene skele, which is included in the main route.

The main route goes from the tower on Poros, along hotel-bistro Bosporus, after the junction on dual carriage way I-9 and turn right of the exit to district Kraimorie (in direction opposite to Kraimorie). Drive along the old road, which then turns left following parallel the main road II-99 to Sozopol and crosses protected area Chengene skele. Here live 180 species of birds, 52 of which have been included in the Red Book of Bulgaria as the pygmy cormorant and the glossy ibis.

The distance from Poros till here using the detour route, is 7.9 km, including only 500 m of asphalt and the rest on a dirt road, and distance along the main route is 3.7 km over asphalt road.

The road continues to the Fishermen village (the road goes around but it can also pass through the village along the inner channel). On 1 km after the turnoff from the main road to the village, the route takes you on a dirt road parallel to the main and after further 1.1 km it fuses back with the asphalt (turn to the right) on 700 m before the hut "Strandzha". Drive over the old asphalt road to Atia naval base, where straight can only be continued outside the summer tourist season, and to the right you can use the detour way to Sozopol through Bakarlaka. The road gradually climbs up to Atiya and Mining village Rosen and then on the first junction turn left, on the second to the right and on the third to the left towards the landfill. The route goes past the closed down Mine Cherveno zname and immediately after it turns to Mount Bakarlaka, the highest peak of Copper Ridge 376 m (bg:Meden Rid). The climb is steep (200 m asl for 2.4 km), and the road is not in very good condition. The last 100 m towards the cliffs you will have to walk up a trail to the right of the repeater tower on top, as the bicycles can be left next to the fence. On a clear day the view from the top is magnificent - it reveals as on palm of a hand the whole bay of Burgas from Cape Emine to Cape Maslen nos. The trail passes through the ruins of the late antiquity and medieval fortress Krimna, which is one of numerous Thracian fortresses that once stood over the crest Ranuli - Burhama - Malko Kale - Lobodovo Kale - Krimna - Atia. The descent goes along the same road to the mine as after clearing 1.5 km there is a lawn with a table, benches and fireplace. The route goes past the landfill of Sozopol (built and maintained with European program) over a new asphalt road, ending at the junction Ravadinovo - Veselie (also new) and then taking the left exit to Ravadinovo. In the center of the village there is a public fountain, shops and restaurants. The road leads north along the "Zamaka" (en: Castle, a complex with castle, church, garden with exotic animals - still under construction) to the junction for camping site "Zlatna ribka", where it connects with the main road to Sozopol, which is usually busy during the summer tourist season.

The town of Sozopol has the status of archaeological and architectural reserve called Ancient and medieval town Apollonia- Sozopol (southern, eastern and western fortress wall, city gate, chapels, Episcopal Church next to present church "St. George", medieval church "St. Nicholas" next to present church" St. St. Cyril and Methodius", monastery "Holy Apostles "at the end of Peninsula Skamniy, many houses from the Bulgarian Revival period). From the harbour you can rent a yacht or tourist boat for a trip to the islands "St. John and St. Peter", where you can visit the monastery "St. John the Baptist".

The distance from Atia to Sozopol via Bakarlaka is 27.8 km driving only along asphalt road, and Poda to Atia is 11.7 km; Time to travel: around 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Outside the tourist season, you can safely continue from Naval Base Atia to Sozopol along the Gulf Vromos. To enter the town of Chernomorets, turn right on the first intersection, then at the end of the road - right again, cross the main road to the town centre, then continue straight followed by right turn to camp site Gradina. The road is in very bad condition due to endless construction works in the areas Akladi and Gereni. During the summer season it can be extremely busy. From there till camp site Zlatna ribka, the roads is in better condition, but around and inside the camp also continue active construction works. Here at the junction the detour route through Bakarlaka connects with the main road. The distance from the protected area Poda to Sozopol via this alternative route is 24.8 km, including 1.1 km on dirt road, and the rest on asphalt; Travel time: around 3 hours.

Day 2. Sozopol - Primorsko, distance 60.2 km.

Outside the summer tourist season you can continue from Sozopol along the costal dual carriage way past the camp site Kavatsi, holiday village Duni, Cape Agalina, swamp Alepu to marsh Arkutino and nature reserve "Ropotamo", the distance is only 12.6 km. During the busy season, drive back to the road towards the village of Veselie, via Ravadinovo, as on 700 m after the turnoff for the landfill turn left along a dirt road. The road is gravel, but the first 500 m are in very bad state. Pass through the state hunting reserve "Ropotamo", which is privately owned and deviations are excluded. After 6.1 km descent through the magnificent forests on the foothills of Lobodovo Kale and Kaleto with Copper Ridge to the left and Mara Lishanka to the right, the road splits and you will take left (to the right is leading to dam Veselie), then on the next junction turn left again to Arkutino (to the right is towards Velyov vir). Drive only to the east at the foot of Mount Kaleto over flooring of crushed river pebbles and after 4.8 km in a smooth ascent and subsequent descent, you will reach Hunting lodge "Ropotamo". The next 700 m from the lodge facilities to the junction on the road Burgas - Primorsko, are with asphalt pavement. 200 m south of it is the marsh Arkutino (also known as the Bear Marsh/Mecheshkoto blato), a swamp-lagoon, part of the nature park "Ropotamo" and the natural wetland complex "Ropotamo", which is a protected area from the network Natura 2000. Here in the summer can be seen blooming natural water lilies and water yellow roses. To the east you can see the largest sand dune on the Balkan Peninsula.

From here you can also visit the island of St. Thomas (the Snake Island/Zmiiskiya ostrov) with an area of 10 dca. The island is known for his naturally grown cactuses (several protected species), the large number of nesting birds and abundance of snakes. This is the only place in Bulgaria, where grows a wild cactus from the genus Opuntia. The island is located across Cape Humata, north of which lay Nature sites "Marsh Alepu" and "Sand dunes - Alepu area". Alepu (Lisiche blato / Fox Marsh) is a marsh - lagoon. The place is important as habitat for numerous protected species of waterfowl. The dunes are home to many interesting but rare plants typical of this habitat.

The distance from Sozopol to the marsh Arkutino is 22.7 km, including 11.2 km asphalt and 11.5 km stabilized road; Total difference in altitude: 155 m.

From Arkutino the route goes back to Hunting lodge "Ropotamo". The first 2.4 km are only straight ahead (slightly uphill), then at the junction take left along the hill Burhama and without any deviation from the road, descend to the turnoff for Maintained nature reserve "Velyov vir (water lilies)". Turn right (to the left is road II-99). There are signs and markings. On 700 m is the marsh Velyov vir, as the road passes under shady tunnel of trees and vines (lianas). On the surface of its waters hundreds soft-white and yellow flowers of water lilies float over large bright green leaves, offering an unforgettable view, which is hard to look away. Here can be seen also 20 species of bats. Nature Reserve "Water Lilies" has an area of 14 ha and includes part of the old riverbed. The distance from Arkutino to here is 7.8 km.

During the summer season you can completely avoid the tourist buzz if you continuing from Atia to Bakarlaka along the landfill and coming out on the dirt road inside the state hunting reserve. Along the dirt road you may also gradually descend to the valley of the river Ropotamo and follow the river flow till Velyov vir. The distance from here to Atia is 27 km (excluding climbing to Bakarlaka).

From Velyov vir the route goes back to the main road Burgas - Tsarevo (II-99) and turns right in direction Primorsko, after 650 m the route crosses the river Ropotamo over the bridge and takes left to the harbour, where you can go on a boat trip along the river mouth. The area is extremely dangerous and you must drive with caution. After you turn right towards the buildings of State hunting reserve "Ropotamo", pass along them and take the dirt road to the north. The road is in bad condition and there are places, where you will have to walk. Keep on drive to the northeast, although there are no signs or marking. Pass through two meadows with animal feeders, cross the shallow river that dries out in the summer, crosses the asphalt road to the mouth of River Ropotamo and continue again on a dirt road following the signs to Beglik-tash, an unique Thracian megalithic sanctuary, dated from the end of the 3rd millennium BC and ceased to exist in the 4th century AD. It was associated with the cult of fertility, the Mother Goddess, the orphic dedication and immortalization of the Heroes. The large rocks were partially carved and assembled on the site, stone plates and blocks had been arranged by human hand in unique shapes. In the flat rocks there are carved stone circles and grooves. The small buildings and cult fireplaces back up the evidence of early human activity here. During the summer (from July 1 to September 30) at the site there are entrance fees and you are able to listen to lectures organized by tourist guides from Tourist Info Centre Primorsko and Regional Historical Museum - Burgas. Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 every day. During the remaining part of the year, you can book organized visits with tour guides and lectures on the phones of Regional Historical Museum Burgas (Tel: +359 56 82 03 44/84 25 82, Fax: +359 56 84 25 88, email: main@burgasmuseums. bg)

Shortly before the meadow to the left, pull in to a dirt road that leads to the Gulf of St. Paraskeva, a very beautifully bay cut in the shore. A small river flows into it forming a sort of maritime liman inhabited by turtles. Near the bay stand the remains of a temple, for which the legends say that it has healing powers.

From Beglik Tash, continue back to the asphalt road, then take left and drive for 6 km to the former residence Perla. For Cape Maslen nos, turn left and after the transformer turn left again in a dirt road. The distance till there is 6.5 km as along the way magnificent views of the bay Miriuz and the cape will reveal in front of you.

“Cape Maslen nos” is the third largest cape on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and as well as the most eastern point of Strandzha Mountain. Walls of a fortress still stand at the rim of the cape, which once guarded this coast, but now cannot be visited because the place is part of a military base, but just before it hides a small bay with sparkling white sand of shells, surrounded by sharp rocks, near which the sea never stays calm. The chapel "St. Nicholas" is located right before the cape.

Large part of Cape Maslen nos is nowadays included in the homonymous protected area from the category "Natural monument". Steep slopes make it inaccessible and in the past its sharp rocks have broken many ships carrying amphorae with olive oil, hence its name in Bulgarian meaning "oil cape".

The way back leads to the town of Primorsko as after residence Perla you will turn left. To the right of road at the foot of the hill Uzundzha bair, you can visit protected area "Blato/Swamp Stamoplo" (a marsh-lagoon) and to the left the sand dunes of Gulf Stamoplo, also protected territory. Stamoplo is its Greek name and the traditional Bulgarian names of this marsh are Usta (en: a Mouth), Ustichka or Malko ustie (en: Small mouth).

The distance from Velyov vir to the town of Primorsko along the sites in nature reserve "Ropotamo", is 29.7 km, 15 km of which are dirt roads.

Day 3 Primorsko - Tsarevo; Distance: 58.7 km.

Exit the town of Primorsko direction MMC (International Youth Center). Pass along the sand dunes (protected area) along the bridge over the River Dyavolska and 900 m after it is turn to the village of Pismenovo. In the summer season it is desirable to pass it in a detour route through the village of Bulgari.

After MMC on the alternative route you will enter the town of Kiten past the camp sites "Les" and "Atliman". Then come out to the road for Tsarevo and after 1.7 km along the main road you will cross the river Kitenska (Karaagach or Uzunchairska) over the bridge (during the summer the traffic here is very busy and dangerous). Follow the camp sites Yug and Coral - perhaps the only remaining undeveloped camping site in Bulgaria. There is a garage at the entrance of the village Lozenets.

Continue on the road Lozenets - Tsarevo until you reach the town of Tsarevo, where you can visit the church "Assumption", which on a small cape surrounded by the sea. In front of it there is a lawn with gazebo and tables, a public fountain and playground for the children. Here grows a 250 years old fig tree. Next to the church you can view the remains of a medieval village, and some of the houses in the village are architectural monuments.

The distance from Primorsko till here is 18km.

From Primorsko you can turn in the asphalt road through the woods for the village of Pismenovo (135 m asl). Cross the village and follow direction southwest along the eco route to the village of Fazanovo and waterfall Skoka over stabilized dirt road. The marking is white-blue. On 2.8 km away from the village (gradual uphill), goes to the left, descend to the valley of River Garvanova (60 m difference of altitude), cross it over with one of its influxes and ascend again to the east as at the junction turn left towards the village of Fazanovo (4.8 km to the village). 200 m further away there is another junction where you turn right and then do not deviate of the road. Drive to the right along the village of Fazanovo and on the asphalt road turn right again to the village of Velika. After 2.5 km gradual descent in a picturesque area, cross the River Trionska and after the bridge to the right there is an info board. If you continue straight to the village of Velika, after 6 km drive you will be in the village of Lozenets. On the eco-route you will turn onto a gravel road on the right, which gently climbs alongside the river. After 5 km ride against the river flow on the right reveals a magnificent view to the protected area "Popovi skali" and on 6.8 km from the junction there is a very beautiful area surrounding Karadzhov vir on the River Trionska, a great place for picnics and relaxation with built gazebo, tables and benches. The waterfall Skoka is about half a kilometer from Karadzhov vir. People say that it looks like three stone dragons. A large and beautiful rock rises next to the waterfall. Not accidentally, because of its shape people call it "Trite Drakoni" (en: the Three Dragons). To see the rocks in all their beauty, you can climb on the neighbouring naked hill. The full beauty of the place, however, is revealed only in the spring when the river is at deepest. Nearby there is a spring (ayazmo) with clear cold water.

After about 400 m the road crosses the river and enters Nature Park "Strandzha", as to the right of it is Reserve "Tisovitsa". Across of it is Mount Gradishte (after 3 km you will pass right of it), where you can see the ruins of the fortress Gradiste, an area of 10,000 sq. m, built probably in the early 6th century as part of the third partition line formed in Strandzha, part of the Byzantine defence system.

The road continues to climb up against the river flow to the locality Arnaudski chukar (5.8 km from the waterfall), where it crosses the river again and continues to the east as over steep hill (50 m difference in altitude for the distance of 500 m), then it turns south and the slope becomes smoother. 2 km from the river Trionska is the road to the chapels "St. Trinity" and "St. Mary" with a public fountain, gazebos and tables. On 2.5 km in direction south is the village of Bulgari. Today this village is the only nestinar settlement in Bulgaria. Its old name is Urgari and it is believed to have Old Bulgarian origin. Do not miss to visit the church "St. St. Constantine and Helena" (a stone church, built in the late 19th century), Konaka - the so called nestinar temple, the ethnographic collection of Lelya Mara, some of the old Strandzhan houses - monuments of architecture, and the chapel of St. Kostadin (1 km southwest of the village). From the village of Bulgari you can continue along the asphalt road to the village of Kosti and from there on a dirt road along the river Veleka to reach its mouth in the village of Sinemorets.

The distance from Primorsko to Bulgari is 41.2 km (including 13.4 km asphalt road and 27.8 km dirt road); Total difference in altitude: 300 m

On 4.2 km from the village of Bulgari in direction to the town of Tsarevo is the protected area "Marina Reka", where you can go over the interpretive eco-trail "Living Museum of tertiary Europe". The trail is for pedestrians with a length of about 1.2 km to the riverbed and beginning of protected area "Marina Reka" at the start of it there is a lawn with resting area. The route allows on a relatively small area to monitor almost all evergreen shrubs and ring-tailed Tertiary relicts distributed a few million years ago all over Europe but survived only in Strandzha region after the last glaciations.

Up to the village of Izgrev on 1.8 km from the eco-trail, there is a public fountain and after further 300 m to the left is the turnout for shelter "50 buka", which is at 3.5 km along gravel road, and after further 400 m to the right is the turnout for shelter "Balievo", which is 1.1 km away.

From the village of Izgrev to the town of Tsarevo the road goes gradually downhill.

The distance from the village of Bulgari in the town of Tsarevo is 17.5 km along the secondary road II-99 and the total difference in altitude is 300 m. The road is not busy, but drive with caution.

Day 4. Tsarevo - Rezovo; Distance: 34.7 km.

From Tsarevo, continue southeast along camp site Nestinarka on the road to Ahtopol. The road is very narrow, in the process of expansion. Given the large flow of tourists, the time is suitable for cycling here is only outside the strong season from June to August. The road from Vasiliko to Varvara winds for 7 km alongside the rocky beach, revealing a wonderful view. In the village center next to the church "St. Martyr Barbara" is the eponymous fountain. Nearby there is a shop, restaurant and several small hotels, you can find a guest room as well. By the middle of the 19th century at the place where the village is located today, was only the small chapel "St. Barbara" worshiped by the residents of Tsarevo (back then called Vasiliko), Ahtopol, Kosti and Brodilovo. To the west along the chapel "St. Mary" you may find ruins of an ancient settlement in the locality Belogaber. Along the gully Ayazmensko an unmarked trail goes to Mount Golyama Papia, where you can see the remains of the fortress Papia. In the area you can visit also the antique workshop for stone anchors in the locality Dalyan - southeast of the village, in the south part of the bay used for mooring.

From village Varvara to the town of Ahtopol, the road follows the curves of numerous bays formed by interesting rocks and steep shores, without a doubt one of the most beautiful places along the Black Sea coast. In the middle of the distance by the River Papiysko dere, there is a public fountain (in vicinity Nakovo kladenche). Shortly before camp site Delfin, to the left is nature zone "Kaspiiska kostenurka" (en: "Caspian turtle"), where can be seen marsh turtles.

Situated on a rocky peninsula, the town of Ahtopol is the southernmost city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. In the aquatic of its convenient bay there have been found stone (from Thracians times, dated back to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC), lead (from the period of Greek colonization) and iron anchors (from Roman and medieval times). The Late Antiquity and medieval town was located on the highest point of the peninsula, where even today there are preserved parts of the fortress walls (in places reaching a height of 8 m and 3.5 m width). Do not miss to visit the church "Ascension" built in the eastern outskirts of the city, on a height right next to the beach. It is a single nave construction, built of split stone with wide mortar joints. There is no accurate information on the year of construction, unless the date marked in the altar - 1796.

In southwest from Achtopol, along the old road, the route goes to the village of Brodilovo, which in its first half gradually climbs up to the crest among vast meadows and oak forests.

The distance from Tsarevo to Ahtopol is 12.5 km along asphalt road; total difference in altitude: 30 m.

The distance from the center of Ahtopol to the bridge over the River Veleka, along the main road, is 5.6 km. From the port, drive with bicycle to the south towards Sinemorets along a dirt road parallel to the asphalt one. After 2 km the road goes to the right and merges with the main road, along which you will drive to the sign for Sinemorets, immediately after which, or 500 m after the bridge on River Veleka, you will turn left on the asphalt road towards the newly constructed residential buildings, past the cemetery, where reveals a majestic view - the mouth of River Veleka with long sandy hair - one of the most beautiful pieces of wild nature left along the Black Sea coast.

In the village of Sinemorets you can visit the church "Saint George". Here is an interesting icon of St. Modest - patron saint of farmers and shepherds, depicted between two trees over a ploughman with oxen, a shepherd with a herd, horse and a buffalo. Not far from Sinemorets during underwater archaeological research in the Gulf of Potamia, located north of the village, ceramic fragments of the 5th-4th century BC and from the Middle Ages have been discovered as well as anchors and parts of lead cover of an ancient ship.

The distance from Ahtopol to Sinemorets is 9 km.

The distance from Sinemorets along the asphalt road to the turnoff for protected area "Silistar" (there is a sign), is 6 km and further 700 m along a dirt road to the actual bay. By bicycle you can drive on a dirt road along the beach Butamyata, then get back to the main road and on the first turnoff to the left, go again over a dirt road through the woods until you reach something like a crossroad, where the leftmost road leads to the bay Lipite, the next one to the bay Listi, and the right one to Silistar. Protected area "Silistar" is one of the most beautiful bays on the southern Black Sea coast - beautiful scenery, rock formations, fjords, white Pontic dunes, sand lily and rich biodiversity. The bay is an ending point of the eponymous river's journey.

The distance from Sinemorets to Silistar by bicycle is 6.7 km; total difference in altitude: 50 m.

From Silistar to the village of Rezovo over the asphalt road is 6.5 km and on the halfway there you can stop at Cape Kastrich then continue along the enclosure (the path is cleared periodically and sometimes could be quite overgrown) and descend down over a dirt road that follows the coast line and after 2.5 km fuses with the asphalt road.

The old names of the village Rezovo are associated with the name of the Thracian king Rhesus, who participated in the Trojan War. In the past, the village has often changed its position because of the constant attacks by Caucasian pirates (lazi). Nowadays Rezovo was settled in 1903 and immediately after that the settlers built a new church called "St. St. Constantine and Elena ". In its vicinity in many places there are traces of metallurgical activities. In the area of Selski dol, on 3-4 km west of the village except the ore processing evidence there is also Thracian necropolis.

The Mouth of River Rezovska is on the border between Bulgaria and Turkey - a beautiful bay divided between two countries, wintering place for many waterfowl and hunting in the sea otters. Along the river Rezovska rolling hills alternate with beautiful rock formations, numerous rapids passing in quiet river sections.

Total time: 4 days

Food and drink: stores in Burgas Chernomorets, Sozopol, Primorsko, Kiten, Tsarevo, Varvara, Ahtopol, Sinemorets, Rezovo.

Equipment: bicycle, tires with tread pattern suitable for asphalt and dirt roads, spare inner tire, tire patches, pump, tool kit, front and rear bicycle lights, sports suit and shoes, raincoat, helmet, small backpack or saddlebags, sleeping bag or a tent, map of the area or GPS device, glasses - sun protecting or insects stopping, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, first aid kit, pre-vaccination against ticks travel insurance, photo camera.

Service: garages in Sozopol, Primorsko, Tsarevo and Lozenets.

Accommodation: hotels, villas and guest houses in the towns and villages: Chernomorets, Sozopol, Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets, Tsarevo, Varvara, Ahtopol, Sinemorets and Rezovo; Camp site Gradina, Zlatna ribka, Kavatsi, Smokinya, Kiten, Yug, Coral, Arapya, Silistar

Notes:

1. Note that in Strandzha Mountain phones often lose signal.

2. Avoid driving on main roads / dual carriage ways, where traffic especially during the summer is extremely busy and the driving lane is small and not suitable for cyclists.

3. From May to late September in the mountains there are many flies and you are advised to take necessary precautions to prevent them from annoying you - protecting glasses, towel, repellent.

4. It is desirable to be vaccinated against Crimean hemorrhagic fever and Lyme disease because of the large numbers of ticks present especially during the spring months.

5. Be wary of unsolicited meeting with hornets, wasps and snakes, load your first aid kit with anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory medicaments against possible bites.

6. In Strandzha it is compulsory to carry personal documents that can be require for verification by the Border Police officers.