Danube Delta and Black Sea Cycling Tour

Welcome to Tutrakan, a charming riverside town in Bulgaria, where your cycling adventure starts. Tutrakan sits along the Danube and boasts a rich history tied to fishing and boat-building, where Bulgarians, Turks, and Romanians have tamed the Danube floodplains for centuries. You can visit its Museum of Danube Fishing and Boat Building or enjoy the peaceful Danube promenade with scenic river views.

You will leave the traditional fishing port of Lower Danube, cycling east along the river’s scenic shoreline. Along the way, you will pass through Malak Preslavets, home to a picturesque lake, before continuing to Popina. This peaceful village offers a relaxing end to the day, where you can swim in the Danube or enjoy open-air restaurants serving fresh, locally caught fish.

Your day will begin with a steady ascent leading to flat gravel roads surrounded by picturesque apricot and cherry orchards. As you ride, you will reach Srebarna Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you may spot a rare Dalmatian Pelican colony. Following the lake’s shoreline, you will reach Silistra, a town with deep historical roots, boasting a rich blend of Roman, Bulgarian, and Ottoman heritage. A highlight is its 19th-century fortress, marking the final chapter of Ottoman presence along the Danube.

Leaving Silistra, you will follow the Danube River, the natural border between Bulgaria and Romania, entering Dobrogea, one of Romania’s oldest regions. You will pass through rural villages and agricultural landscapes with stretches of vineyards. The stage ends in Oltina, a quiet settlement near the lake, where you can experience traditional rural life in southern Romania.

Open fields, rolling hills, lakes, and dense woodlands will accompany you to the Danube – Black Sea Canal, a vital waterway linking the river to the coast. Along wide and open vistas, you will reach Cernavodă. This historic town, known for its iconic Cernavodă Bridge and home to Romania’s only nuclear power plant, occupies a strategic position along the Danube, blending industrial significance with natural beauty.

Today, you will cycle further through the heart of Dobrogea. As you ride, the landscape will gradually become more rugged, with rocky outcrops and sparse forests contrasting the rolling terrain. The scenery will shift again, revealing the Dobrogea Plateau, a landscape known for its ancient rock formations, when you will end the stage in the Mihail Kogălniceanu City.

A challenging yet rewarding day awaits you. The route will lead you to the Dobrogea Gorges, a striking limestone canyon with unique rock formations. The protected natural area is home to diverse wildlife, making it an ideal spot for a short break and exploration. As you continue, the terrain gradually flattens, guiding you toward a region known for its salt lakes before reaching the peaceful village of Cogealac.

The last cycling day will lead you south along quiet coastal roads, passing through untouched nature and wild beaches. The route will gradually become more urban as you approach Constanța, Romania’s largest port city on the Black Sea. Reaching your last destination, you can explore its rich history, from ancient Roman ruins to Ottoman-era architecture, or enjoy its harbor promenade.

Constanța blends history, culture, and seaside charm, offering the perfect finale to your journey. You can wander through the Old Town, where the iconic Constanța Casino, the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, and ancient Roman mosaics showcase the city’s rich heritage. You can conclude your adventure by relaxing at Modern Beach, soaking in the Black Sea’s refreshing breeze.