Vidin and Knjaževac share similar natural assets and strong tourism potential. Today, the Danube riverfront near Vidin, the rock formations of Belogradchik, the mountain roads around Knjaževac and dozens of other attractions on both sides of the border are connected through a network of cycling routes that reveal the region from a new perspective.
This network can now also be explored online through the new Timok–Danube Cycling platform, developed under project BGRS0200069 “Timok–Danube Cycling”, co-funded by the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia 2021–2027 Programme.
With a budget of nearly €927,000, the project brings together the Municipality of Vidin, the Municipality of Knjaževac, the Vidin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Institute for Cross-Border Cooperation in Zaječar with a shared goal: to make the region more visible and accessible to cycling enthusiasts.
The platform brings together information on ten thematic cycling routes, tourist attractions and opportunities for exploring the cross-border region between Vidin and Zaječar. Through an interactive map, virtual tours and detailed route descriptions, visitors can plan their journeys more easily and discover new places on both sides of the border.
The routes pass through some of the region’s most interesting natural, cultural and historical sites and have been designed to appeal both to experienced cyclists and to those taking their first steps into cycle tourism. They build on established routes such as Danube Ultra and the European EuroVelo 6 network, linking the region to a wider European cycling community.
The platform is only one part of the project’s broader vision. It is complemented by a multilingual mobile application, augmented reality features and investments in cycling infrastructure, all aimed at making the region more accessible and attractive to visitors.
Among the project’s most innovative elements are ten information points equipped with augmented reality technology. By scanning QR codes along the routes, visitors will be able to access interactive content and a virtual guide presenting the tourism opportunities available throughout the region in an engaging and modern way.
The routes will also be available through popular international platforms such as Strava, Komoot and Sports Tracker, making them easier to use for cyclists from different countries and increasing the visibility of the region among the international cycling community.
By combining new routes, digital tools, infrastructure improvements and cross-border cooperation, Timok–Danube Cycling demonstrates how cycle tourism can help make a region more visible, more accessible and more attractive to visitors from Bulgaria, Serbia and across Europe.