Another short route in Golden Sands National Park with a starting point in the parking lot and the drinking fountain below Aladzha Monastery. Like other cycling routes in the area, the current one is almost entirely on trails that are not very difficult, but not annoyingly easy, so it is suitable for a wide range of people, as long as they already have some confidence to ride on rough terrain. Have in mind that both on the descent and on the ascent there are separate steeper and technical sections - for advanced riders riding will be relatively easy, but interesting; for the more insecure and less physically fit ones, the challenges will be a little more, but not too much.
As the trails in Golden Sands National Park are used intensively for hiking, it is obligatory to ride with caution, especially considering that the terrain is not very difficult and allows higher speeds. Please, let’s not make a bad impression!
The structure of the route allows you to ride in both directions. Part of it follows the main "horizontal" path through Golden Sands National Park, which consists of short ascents, descents and flat sections. In addition, the route includes one more "circle", where we descend along a wide and fast path with yellow tourist markings and climb on another, which is marked in red. The route would be interesting for the descent too, but still in the direction in which it is described here, the ride is better balanced as a slope when descending (steeper) and ascent (smoother, but with separate steep sections, which may require a little pushing).
From the navigation point of view, riding a bike on this route is easy, because all trails are clear and with tourist markings, so you can do well even without GPS, if you follow the description carefully.
The route is entirely in the woods, in the shade, which makes it suitable for riding during the hot summer days and during the transitional seasons. Its short length allows you to take a quick dose of adrenaline for literally 1-2 hours, before / after work or beach.
The ride can be combined with a sightseeing of the monastery. For this purpose, however, you must either have someone to guard the bikes, or ask to tie them somewhere at the security booth.
Starting point: The fountain at the parking lot under Aladzha Monastery in Golden Sands National Park; https://goo.gl/maps/WuKeeFoaJdjY6ZJo7
Length: 7.2 km
Ascent: 230 m
Level of technical difficulty: medium (R1, T1, T2, T3)
Physical activity factor: low (PAF = 4)
Duration: 1-2 hours (depending on the speed, breaks, etc.)
Water: 0.5 l (there are fountains at the beginning and in the middle of the route)
Food: not required
Terrain:
- asphalt - 0.2 km
- paths and alleys - 7.0 km
Description:
Facing the fountain (point 01), we take a narrow asphalt road to the right (north direction) and after 50 m we turn to the right again (point 02). At point 03 (0.24 km) we reach a private property and continue along a paved pedestrian alley slightly to the right. After 50-60 m (point 04) we leave the alley and continue on the path to the left - it is wide, with a variable slope and with green and yellow tourist markings. At point 05 (1.5 km) the trail splits - we drive to the right along the yellow markings, preparing for slightly steeper and stony sections.
At point 06 (1.9 km) we reach a fountain, from which a path with red markings begins to the right. We will climb up a little later, while now we continue straight with a slight ascent to point 07, which is a hundred meters further. Here, to the right, there is a path with yellow tourist markings. It is the main descent - the trail is mostly fast, but in the beginning there are some more technical sections with roots and reverse turns. Ride with caution - both because of pedestrian tourists and because of some sharp turns and surprises.
The trail ends at point 08 (2.9 km) on a wide pedestrian promenade under the shade of stately trees. We continue along the alley to the right - it is flat with a slight slope upwards. After 200 m (point 09) we pass another alley on the left and follow the main one. At point 10 (3.7 km) it is time for the actual ascent - it is a nice path, but in several places you will have to make some extra effort or push.
After a steep finish we go out again at the fountain in point 06 and ride right again, but this time in point 07 we continue straight. At point 11 (4.8 km) we reach a fork, where we turn left on a wide path with green tourist markings. The beginning is steep up, but for a short time - then the path becomes flat and goes down, and there are several interesting rocky sections.
After 1 km along the path we reach point 05 again and return to Aladzha Monastery on the way back, but at point 03 we turn left on the paved pedestrian alley, not right on the asphalt road.
