Trail Trekking Sofia

About
This five-day mountain trek through the most spectacular parts of the Balkan Mountains takes us through the territory of the Central Balkan National Park, with overnight stays at several mountain huts along the way. The Balkan Peninsula is named after this very mountain chain, locally known as Stara Planina, or the Old Mountain. It stretches from the western border of the country almost to the Black Sea coast. This route is a section of the international E3 European long distance path. On our hike we’ll be passing through its most striking parts. Highlights
• Five days of trekking along the main ridge of the mountain and overnight in mountain huts on the way
• Ascend to Mount Botev (2376 m), the highest summit of the Balkan Mountains
• Visit the highest permanent waterfall in the Balkans – the 124.5 meter-high Raysko Praskalo Waterfall
• Explore the flora and fauna native to the Central Balkan National Park Description Day 1
This day begins at the Beklemeto Pass, located at 1520 m above sea level – one of the several mountain passes connecting Northern and Southern Bulgaria. The pass is accessible to personal vehicles and public transportation, which is also available in the area. The nearest towns are Troyan (on the northern side) and Karlovo (on the southern side). We will be hiking down the main ridge, passing by the Orlovo Gnezdo and Dermenka Huts. Overnight at Dobrila Hut (1790 m). A total of 6 hours of walking throughout the day, +500/-300 m. Day 2
On this day we will take on part of the famous Dobrila-Botev Traverse, ascending to Mount Ambaritsa and Mount Kupena, with a final descent to the Vasil Levski Hut for overnight accommodation. Total amount of
walking for the day: 6 hrs, +600/-800 m. Day 3
A hike to the Ray Hut (4.5 hours), located above Yuzhen Dzendem Reserve, followed by a visit to the nearby Raysko Praskalo Waterfall at the foot of Mount Botev. Accommodation at the hut. Total amount of walking: 5.5 hrs. Day 4
Ascent to Mount Botev via the Tarzan Trail, and followed by a descent to Tuza Hut. 7 hrs of walking, +1000/-900 m. Day 5
Today’s agenda includes a visit to several other waterfalls in the area – Kademliisko Praskalo, Babsko Praskalo, an optional Ascent to Mount Triglav – the second highest peak in these mountains. The route takes us through the either Rusaliiski Pass or the nearest ridge, both offering a beautiful view of the nearby Central Balkan National Park and Juzhen Dzhendem Reserve. Optional descent to the village of Tuza to the south, or the town of Apriltsi to the north. Transfer to Karlovo orTroyan.
If you're looking for more breathtaking waterfalls in Bulgaria, visit the Canyon of Waterfalls, and follow the eco-trail to over 40 waterfalls. The price includes
• The services of a qualified and experienced mountain guide
• 4 overnights in huts along the way
• Transfers along the hiking trail between the designated points The price does not include
• Transfers to the meeting point (available on request)
• Hiking equipment Notes
This trek is suitable for groups of 4-10 people.
Equipment
needed: hiking boots, rucksack (35-45 l), trekking poles, water and windproof jacket, rain cover, sun hat, sun lotion, sunglasses, warm hat and gloves, water bottle (1,5 litres), travel liner (optional), torch, personal first aid kit.
Have a look at our other hiking and trekking trails and pick the one that suits you the most in terms of length, location and level of difficulty.

About
This nature-hiking itinerary is suitable for tourists of all ages and levels of experience, and allows you to experience the history and legend-abundant virgin nature of the Rhodopes. Every day, the hikes are carried out at a different altitude. The relief and surrounding landscapes are uniquely beautiful and shift constantly before your very eyes.The itinerary will let you discover Rhodopes' own folklore, architecture and the rural life, unchained for centuries. Highlights Get in close contact with the rural lifestyle in the Rhodopes See the Sitovo rock inscription, estimated to be 7000-8000 years old Visit the Wondrous Bridges rock formation Hike up to Mount Karlak Experience the Chairi Lakes protected area Pass through the Trigrad Gorge Explore the Devil’s Throat cave Tour the Yagodina cave Walk through the Buynovo Gorge Description
Over the course of 7 days, we’ll take you on a journey to the Rhodope and Pirin mountains’ biggest natural attractions. After your individual arrivals at Sofia Airport, you’ll be transferred by coach to Plovdiv. The first day is dedicated to its historical and cultural sights.
Our trip to the Rhodope mountains begins on the second day. We’ll be transferred across the longer distances by bus, and we’ll hike through the most picturesque and interesting parts of the mountains, through quaint villages, beautiful landscapes at varying altitudes. The route includes a visit to the Sitovo rock inscription – the oldest ancient inscription ever found in Europe, estimated to be 7000-8000 years old. Its meaning is yet undiscovered.
The next day takes us through forests and meadows, up mountain ridges and down what remains of an ancient Roman road. We’ll be visiting one of the most famous natural landmarks in Bulgaria – the Wondrous Bridges, two cliff bridges naturally formed by the erosive activity of the Erkyupryia river. The upper bridge is impressive in size (96 m in length) as well as the size of its opening (43 m tall and 45 m wide), while the lower situated one is impassable and takes the form of a canyon in a cave. The last stop for the day is the Shiroka Laka architectural reserve.
The fourth day is almost entirely dedicated to the beautiful and varied landscapes of the very heart of the Rhodopes, with special attention to the tallest summit in the area – Karlak. Our hike takes us to Mugla village – a small pocket in the mountains that has remained untouched by the passage of time.
On the next day, our trip leads us to the protected natural area of the Chairi Lakes. This is one of the most beautiful spots in the Rhodope mountains – the small lakes with peat-islands are arranged in a plateau surrounded by a crown of hills, and possess a particular and untouched kind of beauty.
On the sixth day, we’ll be exploring two of the Rhodopes’ most impressive natural wonders. The Trigrad Gorge is a spectacular feat of nature – a deep canyon that cuts through the mountain, with sections where the opposing vertical cliffs are so close to each other, there are barely 10 meters between them, and the path is carved into the cliff itself. The Devil’s Throat cave is one of the Trigrad Gorge’s most notable features. Inside its so called Rumbling Chamber is the tallest subterranean waterfall on the Balkans (60 m). Once we’re out of the cave we continue past the village of Trigrad, through a lush forest, and finally to Yagodina cave and its beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and mineral “pearls”.
On the seventh day, we descend through the spectacular Buynovo Gorge alongside the river that cuts through it. We’ll be transferred through Krichim to Sofia for the last overnight.
On the eighth and final day, it’s time to part ways. All members of the tour group will be accompanied to the airport, coach station, train station or sent-off individually. The price includes
• Accommodation in comfortable hotels and rural houses with private facilities
• Full board treatment from the first day's dinner to the last breakfast
• Transfers by minibus throughout the stay and luggage transport during hotel transfers
• A map of the itinerary
• A professional English speaking tour guide The price does not include
• The trip to / from Bulgaria
• Alcoholic beverages
• Entrance fees Notes
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate level
The full itinerary is available on request.
A total of 8 days / 7 overnight stays / 5 days of hiking

About
A guided mountain hiking tour of three of Bulgaria’s mountains – Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. This hiking trip takes you on a journey through their most picturesque areas and to their most famous natural and cultural landmarks. Over the course of 10 days you’ll get to see some of Bulgaria’s top attractions, immerse yourself in traditional rural villages and big cities, enjoy the best of what local cuisine has to offer and climb its highest mountain peaks. Highlights
• Go sightseeing in Plovdiv – 2019 European Capital of Culture
• Visit natural landmarks like the Wondrous Bridges, the Trigrad Gorge, the Devil’s Throat, Yagodina cave and the Seven Rila Lakes
• Explore the two biggest monasteries in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery and Bachkovo Monastery
• Immerse yourself in Bulgarian culture in the Shiroka Laka architectural reserve
• Climb the highest mountain summit in the Balkans – Mount Musala, and the second highest – Mount Vihren
• Hike through stunningly beautiful mountain landscapes and protected areas
• Try the local cuisine
• Bring a camera - you’ll want pictures :) Description Day 1
Individual arrivals at Sofia airport. Transfer by coach to one of the oldest European cities and second biggest in the country – Plovdiv. Situated on 7 unique syenite hills, it is a cultural, historical and touristic centre. Accommodation and sightseeing in the architectural reserve “the Old Plovdiv” and the Ancient Theatre. Dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. Day 2
The day begins with a short transfer (20 min) to Asenovgrad and Asen’s Fortress, overlooking the city from the picturesque cliffs above it. From here, we’ll be entering the Rhodope mountains. Bachkovo Monastery is only 10 minutes way by bus. It is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, founded 1000 years ago. It takes an hour to reach the Wondrous Bridges (1450 m) – two natural rock bridges unique in size and beauty and towering over the Aidar Dere river, 1450 m above sea level amidst a pine forest. The size of the upper bridge is particularly imposing – 96 m long, with an impressive 43 by 45 m opening. The lower bridge is impassable, akin to a canyon in a cave. This is where our fairytale walk in the woods begins. The terrain around Skalni Mostove lodge becomes steeper towards Mezargidik Pass (1950 m) and the preserved parts of the ancient, almost 2000-year-old road. We’ll be following this road through the centuries old forests on the way to Persenk lodge. After a short break by the lodge, we’ll continue our moderate ascent towards Orehovo village, where we’ll be spending the night. Day 3
This day begins with a transfer to the Shiroka Laka architectural reserve. After exploring it, we’ll be transferred to Gela village (10 min), where the day’s hike begins. After leaving Gela, we’ll begin a light descent down a dirt road in a south-west direction towards the Kikezite area. A short, steep path followed by a nearly even forest path takes us to the beautiful area around Lednitsata lodge. From there we leave the forest path behind us and head through an old pine forest and gorgeous flower meadows. This moderately steep route leads us up the mountain’s crest to the entrance of a small scenic pass. From there, we’ll begin a descent down the spacious meadows covering the slopes of mount Karlak – the tallest and largest summit in the area, with a peak reaching 2188 m above sea level. We soon leave the main road and we begin a steep descent towards Mugla village, passing by a spring, a small forest-covered valley and a stream with about 10 small waterfalls, through fields and meadows. It is as if time has stopped here centuries ago. From Mugla’s ancient wooden minaret onward, the route suddenly begins to get steeper towards the mountain crest. Past the crest, the path goes down to open meadows surrounded by hills in all directions. A soft grassy path leads to the Chairi Lakes protected area. This is one of the most beautiful places in the Rhodopes – small lakes with bogged islands, on a plateau wreathed by hills, all possessing a sort of untouched beauty. It is worth spending more time here. On this day the bus will not be staying with the group. Day 4
After leaving the Chairi lakes via a forest path between the lakes and along a collapsed bridge, we reach the Pierced Rock – a short picturesque tunnel. The road slopes gracefully through the black pines of the gorge of Chairska river. There are 11 km to the beginning of the Trigrad Gorge. From here on, the river valley narrows significantly, the slope becomes steeper and the route enters the most picturesque part of the Trigrad Gorge. The vertical cliffs are 8-10 m from each other and the path is carved into the cliff itself. After several dizzying turns, in the most narrow and deep up to 400 m part of the gorge, we’ll go out to a small parking lot at the entrance of the Devil’s Throat cave. We’ll enter the cave’s enormous chamber and see the 60 m tall underground waterfall. 1 km away from the cave is the village of Trigrad, from where we’ll go on a nice walk (2 km) down the forest road. This is followed by a modest climb (1,3 km) up the left slope of the gorge and a 6 km descent through a beautiful spruce forest and spacious meadows in the direction of Yagodina village. The view towards the surrounding canyons is breathtaking. Shortly before the village we cross a karst area dotted with ponors and whirpools and we start climbing to Mount St. Elijah, famous for its panoramic view and the vertical 600-meter-tall wall. From there we descend to the village and the place of accommodation. Day 5
The day begins with a walk to the Yagodina cave, which has, along with its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, so called “pearls” formed out of the minerals contained within drops of water that fall on small rocks. The cave is well laid out and is to be explored with a tour guide in small groups. After a tour of the cave, we’ll be transported to the second highest mountain in Bulgaria – Pirin, the village of Dobrinishte and the lower station of the chair lift that leads up to Bezbog Lodge. We’ll take the lift up to the lodge, which is situated on the banks of the eponymous lake at the base of the mountain peak that bears the same name. We’ll have enough time for a relaxing walk along the lake. On this day the minibus will not be staying with the group. Day 6
From the lodge starts the hiking trail to Mount Polezhan (2851 m) – a vantage point from which you can see one of the most spectacular panoramic views in Pirin Mountain, more than 17 glacial lakes, including Lake Popovoto (30 m/100 ft. deep). Polezhan is the fifth highest of Pirin’s summits. Surrounded by three cirques with three lake groups – the Dislishki Lakes to the north, the Polezhanski Lakes to the south and the Strazhishki Lakes to the west. We’ll take the classical route along the mountain ridge. It is not difficult, nor is it too steep, except for the last 15 minutes. We’ll go back to the lodge and take the lift to the minibus, which will transport us to the nearest mountain town – Bansko. Day 7
A short morning transfer takes us to the starting point towards Mount Vihren – the second highest in Bulgaria, at 2914 m above sea level. Along the steep path meandering through the dry karst cirques called Little Kazan and Big Kazan, and by Europe’s southernmost glacier beneath the 400-meter-tall northern wall of the summit, we climb up to Mount Vihren. The panoramic view from the top is breathtaking and there are eldelweiss flowers and wild goats in the area. After that we’ll go back to the minibus, which will transport us to the highest mountain in South-Eastern Europe – Rila Mountain, specifically the area of the Seven Rila Lakes. Day 8
The morning begins with a short transfer to the chair lift in the area of the Seven Rila Lakes. From the upper lift station, we’ll start along a moderately steep path towards Lake Kidney, followed by the Eye and the Tear. On our walk we’ll find ourselves constantly surrounded by beautiful landscapes. We’ll climb up to the Razdela Saddle and the nearby Mount Vazov/Damga (2670 m), from where we’ll be able to enjoy a stunning view of the Urdini Lakes and the deep valley they’re situated in. We’ll go around the valley to the south and then to the east. A short up-and-down hike takes us to Mount Dodov (2661 m), from where we’ll continue along the ridge towards Mount Malyovitsa. On our left we’ll once again see Urdini Lakes, and on our right – Rila Monastery and all of Rila Mountain. After a nearly even section of the ridge, we’ll begin a moderate ascent up the slope of Mount Malyovitsa. We’ll go out to the ridge and 10 minutes to the left is Mount Malyovitsa, which we’ll go up to because of the beautiful view from the top, and then we’ll continue down the slope past Lake Elenino and towards Malyovitsa Lodge. On this day the minibus will not spend the night with the group. Day 9
A short, steep climb from the lodge takes us up the steep slopes of this part of the mountain, strewn with shallow glacial valleys surrounding small lakes and ponds. The first destination for the day is the Scary Lake and the stone shelter near it, as well as Mount Big Kupen towering over them (2731 m). From here we’ll go on a light ascent to the spacious peak, from where we’ll begin our light descent to Rila Monastery past the Dry Lake. At the end of our hike, we’ll reach Kiril’s Meadow, from where we’ll be able to enjoy beautiful fantastic view towards the peaks we’d climbed in the past couple of days. What’s left is a trip to the largest and most significant monastery in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. From there we’ll be transferred by car to the base of Mount Musala. Day 10
On this day we’ll climb the highest mountain summit on the Balkans – Mount Musala (2925 m). We’ll take the chair lift up to the starting point of the trekking trail. The ragged wall of the summit will accompany us as we climb the stone runs and past the glacial lakes and alpine lodges. The truly breathtaking view from atop Mount Musala towards the mountains is well worth the adventure. At the top we’ll reward ourselves with a nice cup of tea as we relax and enjoy the view of the peaks of each of Bulgaria’s most notable mountain chains – Stara Planina, Sredna Gora, Vitosha, the Rhodopes, Pirin, and, of course, Rila. We’ll be coming back the same way and after going down via the lift, we’ll be transferred to Sofia. Day 11
On our last day, with the time we have left, we’ll go on a short sightseeing trip around Sofia, followed by a drop-off at the airport. The price includes
• Accommodation in 3-star hotels and guest houses, huts in double rooms with private facilities
• Full board treatment from the first day's dinner to the last breakfast
• Minibus transport throughout the stay and luggage transport during hotel transfers
• A map of the itinerary
• Professional English speaking tour guide The price does not include
• The trip to / from Bulgaria
• Alcoholic beverages
• Entrance fees Notes
A total of 11 days / 10 overnight stays / 9 days of hiking
The level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderately difficult.