Granfondo Bulgaria

Date
Sunday 21.06.2026
Distances
70 - 140 km
City
Velingrad
Country
Bulgaria
Contact

Granfondo Bulgaria is organised for the first time as part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series and takes place in the Rhodope Mountains, 130km southeast of the capital city of Sofia as first ever UCI Granfondo in the country.

~jovancavic X (44)
~jovancavic X (68)
~jovancavic X (70)
~jovancavic X (38)

COURSE

Granfondo Bulgaria is a challenging race with long climbs around the Batak Reservoir

There are two distances

  • Mediofondo : 70km 
  • Granfondo : 140km

The mediofondo distance is the official qualifier distance for all men over 60 and women over 50 while the granfondo distance qualifies all younger age categories.

After the start, the race heads east towards the Batak Reservoir for a first long but steady climb to follow the borders of the reservoir in clockwise direction.  The Granfondo then turns left after Batak for a 30km long downhill from an elevation of 1175m towards the valley at 225m where the peloton turns left just before Pazardzhik for the major difficulty of the day, a 21.6km climb to reach back the east side of the reservoir for a section that was used after 30km in the race.  The final 40km back to Velingrad have two 4 and 9.5km descents with flat parts in between.

The mediofondo skips the section between km 45-115 of the granfondo, turning directly back to Velingrad for a total distance of 70km.

PROFILE

With a total elevation of 1905m for the Granfondo and 620m for the mediofondo, these courses are challenging.

Especially the granfondo is hard with a moderate climb at 3.2% average between km 20-30 and a harder and longer 21.6km climb at 5.4% average between km 78-100 towards the peak on the course at 1337m of elevation.  

The course luckily also has two longer descents with a 18.5km downhill before halfway and a 9.6km downhill in the final.

VELINGRAD

The city of Velingrad, known as the Spa Capital of the Balkans is nestled in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains at 777 meters above sea level, stands as one of Bulgaria’s most desirable destinations for wellness, mountain tourism, and outdoor adventure. The remarkable nature and rich traditions are part of what defines this exceptional territory, bringing together diverse landscapes and communities, each with its own unique charm. We are able to offer all participants a rare and valuable experience in culture, gastronomy, and natural beauty.

 Athletes and their companions will be able to enjoy an extraordinary range of landscapes within this vast region, offering far more than just a sporting event. The unique combination of mountains, forests, mineral springs, and authentic Bulgarian heritage in Velingrad presents an ideal backdrop for Gran Fondo cycling, relaxation, and exploration.

 Whether visiting for tourism, accommodation, or the excitement of the Gran Fondo cycling event, this setting promises a harmonious blend of wellness, culture, nature, and adventure, offering every participant and guest an unforgettable and truly enriching experience.