A weekend is two days, and the ideas for what to do with them are usually either "nothing" or something that takes weeks of planning. An ATV tour near Sofia is the third option: you book on Friday, ride through Lyulin mountain on Saturday, and rest on Sunday. Here are five concrete reasons why it works so well.
1. Ten minutes from Bankya, no day on the road
Our base is in the Klisura area of Lyulin mountain, about 10 minutes by car from Bankya. From most parts of Sofia you get there quickly, with no motorway. That means no overnight stay, no day off work and no 6 a.m. alarm. The adventure is literally on the city's doorstep, and many people are surprised at how close to the apartment blocks the real forest begins.
2. Ninety minutes that do not eat your weekend
Each of our routes lasts 90 minutes. With gearing up, the briefing and the practice on flat ground, allow around two hours at the base. A morning tour leaves you the whole afternoon; an afternoon tour fits nicely after a lazy lunch. Riding an ATV is intense enough to send you home feeling you have had a proper day outdoors, but not so long that you are wiped out for the rest of the weekend.
3. Lyulin mountain up close, not through a window
Lyulin is the mountain people from Sofia drive past constantly but rarely go into. From the seat of an ATV you see it from the inside: mixed forest, open meadows, muddy trails, rocky climbs. On The Beauty of Lyulin Mountain route you stop at the Druzhba reservoir near the village of Meshtitsa and at a spot with a natural spring. On the route to Chuchul Peak you climb over rocky sections to a view you would otherwise hike hours for. Every season changes the picture: autumn brings colour to the forest, spring is all mud and freshness, winter brings snow.
4. You do not need experience
This is the reason that stops most people, and the least justified one. To ride an ATV with us, it is enough to be able to ride a bicycle and have a sense of balance. Everything else is learned before you set off: the instructor explains the machine, then you practise on flat ground until you feel confident. The Forest Mix route was created specifically for beginners: forest and flat open terrain, with no steep sections.
The instructor rides with the group the whole time and sets the pace. The machines suit women and people who have never touched a motorbike. There are two limits: one person per machine and a maximum rider weight of 120 kg. Gear, meaning helmet, neck gaiter, knee pads, balaclava and rain jacket, is provided; you come in comfortable clothes and closed shoes.
5. The memories come home with you: We GoPro!
No need to stop for selfies or risk your phone in the mud. We capture the tour on a GoPro camera. It is also the most common reason people come back with friends: they have seen themselves riding and want more. A look at the gallery will give you an idea of what to expect.
What the day itself looks like
So there are no surprises: you arrive at the base 10–15 minutes before your slot, in comfortable clothes and closed shoes. You get your gear and go through the briefing, where the instructor explains the machine, your posture and the rules in the group. Then you ride a few laps on a flat meadow until you feel confident. Only then do you set off on the route for 90 minutes, with the instructor alongside the whole time. You return to the base, change, and the rest of the day is yours. If you are curious which machines you will see on site, have a look at the ATV page: the Yamaha Raptor with a manual gearbox for adrenaline, the Kawasaki Brute Force, and the newest Segway AT5 L, capable and comfortable.
Bonus: easy to organise for a group
An ATV tour is a perfect excuse to meet friends you have not seen for ages, a different kind of date for a couple, or a family gift. If you want to treat someone, the gift voucher is valid for one year and arrives by email. For bigger groups there are team building programmes and stag parties.
What to bring
The list is short: comfortable clothes with long sleeves and long trousers, closed shoes, gloves if you like, and a spare set in the car for the drive home. Everything else, helmet, neck gaiter, knee pads, balaclava and rain jacket, is our concern. If you have questions about clothing for the season, the answers are in our FAQ.
How to book for this weekend
Booking is required, so do not leave it to the last minute. Reserve your slot online at /booking or call +359 882 69 3073. A member of our team will call you to confirm. If your plans change, cancel at least 24 hours in advance. See you on Saturday!