Mountains, Sea & Meteora

Three days. Two countries. One border. The kind of trip that reminds you why you ride.

Overview

We leave Sofia and push south through the Bulgarian mountains, cross into Greece at Ilinden, and follow the coast into Halkidiki by evening. The second day rides to the foot of Olympus and cuts inland to Meteora. The third day is the long run home.

Daily distances run between 280 and 360 km. The roads are well-surfaced throughout — the difficulty here is not technical but physical. Three consecutive days of sustained riding across an international route demands experience and fitness. Maximum 8 riders.

The story behind this route — Covid-19 & Meteora, 2021

Itinerary

Day 1 — Sofia to Sarti (approx. 360 km)

We leave Sofia early, heading south through Samokov or cutting directly to Razlog. The road climbs through pine forest to the Predela pass, where the Rila and Pirin ranges meet and the wide Razlog valley opens below. Stop in Bansko for coffee, then continue to the Ilinden border crossing.

The crossing is straightforward on a weekday morning — allow 20–30 minutes. Beyond the border we pass around the city of Drama and head directly to the Sithonia peninsula.

At Stratoni we turn onto the peninsula. The road narrows immediately, pine and olive trees on both sides, the Aegean visible through the gaps. We arrive in Sarti by evening. The road narrows immediately, pine and olive trees on both sides, the Aegean visible through the gaps. We arrive in Sarti by evening.

Sarti is a fishing village that has resisted becoming a resort. A harbour, a two-kilometre beach, a handful of waterfront tavernas. Overnight here.

Day 2 — Sarti to Kalambaka, Meteora (approx. 280 km)

We leave Sithonia and head toward Katerini, a coastal town sitting at the base of Mount Olympus. Olympus rises directly from the shore here — Greece’s highest peak, still snow-capped into early summer. From Katerini we turn inland and climb through the mountain foothills, the road winding through forest and gorge before the landscape opens onto the broad Thessalian plain.

The terrain shifts completely — from sea and mountain to wide, flat farmland. We ride southwest toward Kalambaka.

Meteora appears without warning. The road rounds a hillside and the rock formations are simply there — dozens of sandstone pillars rising 400 metres from the valley floor, each one with a monastery on the summit. We arrive in Kalambaka in the late afternoon with enough light to walk up and see the rocks at dusk.

Overnight in Kalambaka.

Day 3 — Kalambaka to Sofia (approx. 350 km)

We ride into Meteora early before the tour buses arrive. The monasteries open at 9:00. We visit two — Varlaam and the Grand Meteoron. Allow two hours. Then north.

From Kalambaka we ride to Thessaloniki, then northeast toward Serres and back through Promachonas to the Bulgarian border. The crossing from Greece is faster than entering. From there, 150 km brings us back to Sofia by late afternoon.

What’s included

Two nights accommodation, breakfasts, GPX track, lead guide and sweep throughout. See the full list below.

What’s not included

You are responsible for your motorcycle, fuel, insurance, and all meals except breakfasts. The Green Card — international third-party motorcycle insurance for Greece — is mandatory. If your current policy does not include it, arrange it before departure. We will ask for proof.

Entrance fees to the Meteora monasteries are paid on the day, approximately €3 per monastery.

Requirements

This expedition is rated advanced. A full category A licence is required — not A2. You need at least one year of riding experience and should be comfortable with multi-day touring, international border crossings, and daily distances of 300+ km.

If you have not done an international multi-day tour before, the Rhodope Mountain Ride is a better starting point.

Booking

A 30% deposit (€120) secures your place. The balance is due 30 days before departure. The group is capped at 8 — when it fills, we open a waiting list for the next date.

Questions before booking — use the contact form.