The Red Church Borovitza Cycling Route is a fascinating cycling route that leads from Belogradchik, through the Red Church “Holy Trinity,” to the modern Borovitza dairy farm, and finishes at the top-quality Borovitza Winery.
Route: From Belogradchik, through the village of Borovitsa to the Red Church “Holy Trinity,” then onward to the Borovitza dairy farm, and finally to Borovitza Winery. The route is mostly paved with excellent quality, with the last 1.5 km to the church on a gravel/dirt road.
Red Church “Holy Trinity”: Built in 1866 by local villagers on the foundations of an older temple, the church is entirely made of red stone quarried from local rock formations. The construction was carried out by Italian masters, and the icons and frescoes were painted by Russian artists.
Valuable Icons: The church houses three precious icons, gifts to Patriarch Maksim from the Patriarch of Romania, the Georgian Patriarch, and the Bulgarian President.
Borovitza Dairy Farm: A modern farm offering visits and tastings of its products, representing contemporary agriculture in the region.
Borovitza Winery: A top Bulgarian winery producing quality wines in the Belogradchik region. This is the perfect ending to the cycling adventure—with wine tasting, learning about local winemaking traditions, and relaxing after the ride.
Cycling Experience: The ride from Belogradchik passes through a forested area with gentle descents. The landscape gradually opens to reveal rocky hills, meadows, and the valley of the Stakevska River. The path is mostly downhill with a few gentle climbs (up to 7%). After turning toward Borovitsa, the road becomes calmer. The last 1.5 km to the church is gravel/dirt, followed by the continuation to the farm and winery—marking the end of the adventure!
This is more than just a cycling route—it is a journey through time, from a Celtic sanctuary, through the Red Church, to a modern dairy farm and a premier winemaking tradition!
