Off Roading in Bulgaria

[Mike Parker]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am visiting Bulgaria for the first time in July and want to do some off roading. I will be travelling in my own 4x4 from the UK.
I have some questions: How easy is it to drive 4x4 tracks in the country, are there any restrictions? Are you allowed to drive any track, how do you know if it is forbidden or private? Are the tracks easy to find? Can you do wild camping?
I am planning on visiting the Rhodopi Mountains area as I have heard this is a good area.
Thanks and regards, Mike

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Hi Mike!
It's easy to drive offroad, at least for now. Of course, there are restrictions. You are not allowed to drive in national parks as well as in some hunting areas. Same goes for wild camping.
Private areas are usually marked with shields or fences, or the road may be just blocked.

In the Rhodopi area there are no national parks though and untill now I have not come across many problems with e.g. restricted hunting areas.

Tracks are fairly easy to find. No guarantee that the tracks you have easily found will be easy to drive or will take you wherever you would like to go though.
So, if you are on a tight schedule and don't have much time to wander around the mountains, you may need some planning.

[Goblin]

До: Off Roading in Bulgaria

And for the planning - you've knocked at the right door
Welcome to the forum.

[Mike Parker]

Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Thanks guys, that's really helpful. I have tried some companies who offer tours, but didn't get any replies, so thanks for taking the time to reply.
I have also read somewhere that roadbooks are available from some garages, do you know if these are any good and easy to understand in picture form as my understanding of Bulgarian is zero!
Regards, Mike

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

... I have also read somewhere that roadbooks are available from some garages ...

At least I am not aware of anyone offering roadbooks for tourists. The only roadbooks I've seen were the ones we use in competitions.

We have however a Garmin GPS routing map (commercial) which covers both regular road network and dirt roads in the mountains. It is by no means so comprehensive as dirt roads can and do change pretty quickly, but it can be of substantial help when planning a trip.

[Mike Parker]

Re: До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

......We have however a Garmin GPS routing map (commercial) which covers both regular road network and dirt roads in the mountains....

That could be useful, do you have a weblink? I am only in the country for 7-10 days so will need to have a good idea of where to start looking.

Mike

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Re: До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

That could be useful, do you have a weblink? I am only in the country for 7-10 days so will need to have a good idea of where to start looking.

Mike

Not sure if it is available to purchase online outside of Bulgaria. This forum is something like the official site.
Some screenshots are available in this thread. Don't be scared by the cyrillic letters! They have versions using the lattin alphabet as well.

[Mike Parker]

Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Thanks for the info, I've seen a couple of your other threads as well. I don't have a GPS at the moment but was thinking about getting one before coming.

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

... I don't have a GPS at the moment but was thinking about getting one before coming.

That would be a good idea and would make things easier for you.

[huko]

До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Thanks for the info, I've seen a couple of your other threads as well. I don't have a GPS at the moment but was thinking about getting one before coming.

To use our off-road map, you'll need a Garmin. Keep that in mind.
If you specify the regions you are planning to cover, our members can provide info, tracks and other useful information.

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

.. I've seen a couple of your other threads as well..

The Rhodopes are my favorite mountain and I've traveled there quite a few times, so from the pictures you could get an idea about the tracks and sights there.

You may want to have a look here, here, here, here, here, here or here

[Mike Parker]

Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Thanks for your time and all the links, this looks brilliant and just the sort of thing I am looking to do. Guess I better pack a chainsaw!
I am going to check out Garmin and will also let you know where we are likely to stay.
Kind regards
Mike

[Чавдар (V93)]

До: Re: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Thanks for your time and all the links, this looks brilliant and just the sort of thing I am looking to do. Guess I better pack a chainsaw!
I am going to check out Garmin and will also let you know where we are likely to stay.
Kind regards
Mike

You're welcome. A chainsaw may be a good idea but, if one is driving along the more used tracks, chance are that the "roadblocks" will be cleared by July.
If you want, you may let us know when and where you intend to travel. Personally I have plans to be in the area some time in July, so who knows ... Beware of low-flying Nissans, just in case ...

[siko]

До: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Hello Mike Parker,
i can provide you with roadbooks and GPS track logs of Rodopi Mountain and the surrounding areas from an easy to extreme tracks, it is your decidion.
If you wish to make use of my work, contact me or "Gladiator offroad technic" with whom we work together.
Best wishes,
Kiril Panayotov

[Mike Parker]

Re: До: Off Roading in Bulgaria

Hello Mike Parker,
i can provide you with roadbooks and GPS track logs of Rodopi Mountain and the surrounding areas from an easy to extreme tracks, it is your decidion.
If you wish to make use of my work, contact me or "Gladiator offroad technic" with whom we work together.
Best wishes,
Kiril Panayotov

Dear Kiril, I would maybe interested in the roadbooks. Are they easy to understand in english?

Regards
Mike