Stara Planina

The ride

Country: Serbia
Area name: Stara Planina mountain
Activity: MTB
Date of the ride: 12-Aug-2011
Length (km): 84.8
Elevation gain (m): 2130
Technical difficulty: ●●●
GPS tracklog: download

Overview of mountain biking route:

MTB route Midžor – The peak of Serbia is situated in National Park Stara Planina (Old Mountain) near the border line between Serbia and Bulgaria. Stara Planina mountain is characterized by a great diversity of flora and fauna. This trail passes along the highest elevation points of Stara Planina mountain. The first section leads along Temštica canyon to Topli Dol village and than follows the ascent to the ridge of Stara Planina mountain. Midžor peak is the highest elevation point of the route. Furthermore, Midžor is the highest peak of Serbia at elevation of 2168 meters over the sea level. The trail leads along the south west slope of Stara Planina mountain ridge. Due to steep ascent count to hike with the bike on some sections. The singletrack section near Vražja Glava is overgrown in the grass and it takes about 4 km to reach the carriageway. Most of the trail is dry. Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation.

Getting there: Europe, Serbia, Belgrad, Niš, Pirot, Temska, Sveti Đorđe (St George) monastery.

Map of mountain biking route:

Description of MTB route:

The starting point of MTB mountain bike route is in Temska village at the parking place near Sveti Đorđe (St George) monastery. From the monastery proceed on the paved road along the canyon of Temštica stream to Topli Dol village. The paved road section to Topli Dol village is about 17km long. In Topli Dol turn left and after few hundred meters the paved road turns into the carriageway. After few kilometers the steep ascent in few turns leads to the ridge of Stara Planina mountain. At the junction turn left to Babin Zub Hotel & restaurant. From Babin Zub ride back and proceed along the ridge of Stara Planina mountain. The steep ascent leads to Midžor peak. Few hundred meters before Midžor peak the carriageway turns into the steep labeled singletrack that leads to Midžor peak. Midžor peak is situated just at the border line between Serbia and Bulgaria. From Midžor proceed to the east along the south east slope of Stara Planina mountain’s ridge. The carriageway gradually turns into the singletrack overgrown in the grass. Due to steep ascent and a section overgrown in the grass, count to hike about 4km at the section near Vražja Glava. The first descent section from Vražja Glava in the length of about 1.5km is overgrown with the grass too. The next descent section on the rocky carriageway leads back to Topli Dol village. From Topli Dol village ride back on the paved road to Temska and Sveti Đorđe (St George) monastery. For more details check above interactive Map and below Gallery & Notes of the route.

Elevation profile of MTB route:

Elevation profile of MTB route on Stara Planina mountain

Notes & references:

Best time for ride: summer.

Due to many unlabeled junctions the GPS unit with the uploaded route is a must for fast and safe navigation. The provided GE map and GPS tracklog include the waypoints of the springs of water. According to the elevation profile the ride in opposite direction could be more easy!

Gallery of mountain biking route: