The Development of the Long Distance Route in the Rhodopes is at its Final Stage

Owners of seven of the present and future guest houses from Kardzhali and the villages of Lubino, Vishnevo, Banite, Madrets and Pelevun – partners of NTG, located along the Long Distance Trail for biking and hiking, representative of Bulgarian Tourist Union in Kardzhali and guides took part in the information meeting about the trail on October 26 in Kardzhali.  

The coordinator in ecotourism component in NTG Mihaela Kircheva and representatives of foundation “House for adventures and books” partner of the project in the establishing of the route presented the goals – to unite all existing eco trails in the Western and Eastern Rhodopes to get a finished product for biking and hiking tourism in the Rhodope mountain, attractive for Bulgarian and foreign tourists. The route of the Long Distance Trail is well described and illustrated with number of photos. The technical parameters of the route were discussed, as well as ideas for its maintenance and popularization.

The route starts from Pamporovo, goes to the East passing the Western Rhodopes, Kardzhali dam lake, the area of the reserve Studen Kladenets, the towns of Ivaylovgrad and Madzharovo and ends in Kardzhali. The route is split into 15 one day sections of 15-40 km and each section starts and ends at an accommodation site, which is an NTG-partner. The fifteen sections (day trails) are the "backbone" of the route. Besides this main route there are additional local routes which are also marked. In each region tourists can optionally hike several additional routes.

An information board will be placed at each location of the "backbone" of the Long distance hiking and biking route. There will be also an information corner in the guest houses, with maps and brochures about the main route and the additional local routes.

The development of the Long distance hiking and biking route in the Rhodopes started in October 2011 and is now in its final stage. A total of 100 information signs will be placed along the route by the end of October.

 In February 2013, a special route-map will be published, containing detailed information about the long-distance trail, its fifteen sections and guesthouses. In the spring will be organized a travel along the road by NTG team and tourists as well as share of experience trip in the guest houses along the route. The trail will be included in the programs of “House of adventures and books”, “Bikearea” Bulgarian and foreign touroperators.

See more about the Long distance route in the Rhodopes: http://www.newthraciangold.eu/cmspage.php?lng=en&id=226

See here photos