This is a cycling route for mountain biking along the seaside, which connects two of the most famous beaches in Varna and for this reason it is suitable for combining these two pleasures - sunbathing and cycling.
Adrenaline and interesting cycling terrain are not among the priorities of this route, although as additional sections in the GPS trail you will find some short paths that could be quite exciting for more confident riders on the way out or on the way back. However, the main purpose of this route is just cycling along rough terrain, side streets and roads from the beach of Asparuhovo to the wild (so far) Pasha Dere beach, which is one of the best near Varna. In that sense, the technical difficulty of the route is low, but with the alternative sections it becomes medium.
The second important clarification is that the route is described as a section in the direction from Asparuhovo to Pasha Dere, but can also be used to get back on it. However, the technical data and characteristics are only for "going" in the specified direction. This means that in general you need to double the distance and elevation gain, which will raise the level of physical activity to medium. If you prefer, on the way back you can follow the main road through Galata, but have in mind that the traffic on it is serious.
Both of the alternative sections in the GPS track are more suitable for return from Pasha Dere to Asparuhovo, because they include paths, which in this case will be downhill. If you want to minimize cycling on asphalt, you can use these sections in the direction from Asparuhovo to Pasha Dere, but keep in mind that in this case in some places you will have to push. Alternative section №1 is a narrow and in some places steep path. №2 is a combination of path, asphalt and country road.
As it is presumed that the route will be used mainly in summer and it goes mostly in open places, it is not suitable for the hottest hours of the day. Otherwise, as a terrain there is no obstacle to try it in the transitional seasons - only the sunbathing will not be the same as in summer.
The starting point is in the middle of Asparuhovo beach - there is an asphalt road, and a meadow where you can park. There are also parking spaces on 1 May Blvd. along Asparuhovo Park.
If you intend to go to the beach, do not forget to bring water and food not only for the cycling, but for the beach too.
Starting point: Asparuhovo beach, https://goo.gl/maps/g8JVADG1rKw4vG6c7
Length: 11.5 km (one way)
Ascent: 280 m (one way)
Level of technical difficulty: low, if we do not count the alternative sections, which are of higher difficulty.
Physical activity: low, but only in the one direction; on the way back and forth it becomes medium.
Duration: 1-2 hours (one way, depending on pace, breaks, etc.)
Water: 0.5-1 l
Food: not required
Terrain:
- asphalt - 4.5 km
- country roads - 7.0 km
- paths - only in the alternative sections
Description:
From Asparuhovo beach (point 01) we take the bike lane, which is a part of an asphalt road leading to 1 May Blvd. In point 02 we cross the traffic light and continue along the boulevard to the left (southeast) to leave Asparuhovo and enter, climbing, in the Galata district, located on the cape of the same name. In point 03 (2.2 km) we leave the highly trafficked road and continue to the right on a country road that runs parallel to the road. After 100 m in point 04 the road ends, but on the right between two houses there is a steep and slightly overgrown path that takes us to another country road – we continue on it to the left, then to the right and at the crossroads in point 05 (2.5 km) we turn to a country road to the left between the houses. We follow this road, which after a while turns to the right and in point 06 (3.0 km) we come out again on the asphalt, but soon we leave it once more, as in point 07 we continue on a country road parallel to the road, and in point 08 we turn to the right. We follow the main country road between houses and yards - first to the right, then to the left and in point 11 (3.8 km) we go out again on the main street. We cross it and continue to the right along the first street parallel to it, named "Panorama". We follow it to point 13, where we have to cross another wide street (Borovets). To the right of you there is a road junction / crossroads - it is better to go around it on the "back" street on the left and in point 14 to go out to the main road. Cross it carefully (point 15) and continue on a country road past orchards on the other side to the south. We move only straight on the main country road, while in point 16 (5.9 km) to the left of us the road makes a big turn, and we miss 2-3 country roads on the right and continue straight on, and we keep the same direction in point 17. In point 18 (6.3 km) we turn left on a country road, which in point 19 flows into a street and here you have to be careful, because immediately after that in point 20 (6.7 km) you have to deviate sharply to the right on a neglected country road, which makes 1-2 serpentines and in point 21 (7.0 km) we move to the right again, descending to the nearby valley (point 22). There the road splits in two, and we follow the left one, ie. the lower path. Soon the two paths gather again (point 23) and we continue straight down (south), having in mind that in spring and the beginning of summer the road may be overgrown with tall grass. We go down to point 26 (8.6 km), where we go out on an asphalt road and take it to the right. In point 27 the road splits - we follow the right one. At point 28 (10.1 km) there is another fork and we move on the right again. In point 30 (10.8 km) we leave the path and descend to the right on a narrow and steep country road, rutted in places, which in point 31 turns left and takes us to the beach Pasha Dere (point 32).
