Bulgaria has many mountain ranges, most of which are located in the southern region. This extremely mountainous country has an average altitude of more than 450m. Nearly a third of Bulgaria is covered by mountains, the main ranges being Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and Stara Planina.
The Rila Mountains are characterised by magnificent coniferous forests and alpine scenery. Mt Musala (2925m), the highest point on the Balkan Peninsula, makes an impressive contrast to the sharp marble peaks of the neighbouring Pirin Mountains.
The Pirin range is the wildest, most picturesque in Bulgaria, with sections inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a national park for its endemic species and unique ecosystems.
Both ranges abut the Rhodope, which are lower, but arguably the loveliest range in Bulgaria. The Rhodope offer a charming mixture of pine forests, crags, caves, highland meadows and villages of stone houses. Stara Planina, or the Balkan range, is the longest in Bulgaria, dividing the country in two parts, stretching for over 600km from the Serbian border to the Black Sea coast.
Bulgaria makes an instant impression with its well-preserved natural environment. It has a fascinating natural diversity of mountains, rivers and valleys, caves and rocks, canyons and waterfalls. Equally impressive is the biological diversity. The well-protected hiking paths and ecotrails are a way to comfortably get under the skin of the country and enjoy the nature without causing it any harm.
It presents excellent opportunities for adventure trips, particularly in the summer. Trekking, caving, rock climbing, paragliding and rafting are all possible here.
Those who love nature or have special interests may prefer activities such as birdwatching, hiking, or geological and botany trips.
Alternative Tourism
Sofia Echo Com, Georgi Dimitrov, 22.05.2006
Hiking
The Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and Stara Planina mountains have proven themselves to be the best destinations for hiking in Bulgaria due to their well-marked and maintained trails, accommodation and services for visitors. The E3, E4 and E8 trans-European hiking routes traverse Bulgaria. Hikers can spend the night either in huts found throughout the mountain highlands or in cosy guest houses in the many foothill villages.
A popular starting point for the Rila Mountains is the town of Samokov and the Borovets resort, from where Mt Musala can be attempted. Nearby, Govedartsi and the Malyovitsa area offer good accommodation, making them the preferred base for Mt Malyovitsa, the Seven Lakes of Rila, Rila Monastery, Ribni Lakes hut, Makedoniya hut and Predela Pass.
Alongside the Pirin and Rila Mountains lie the Rhodope Mountains, normally entered through the city of Plovdiv on the tiny road to Bachkovo Monastery. From the monastery, path leads to Martsiganitsa hut, Krastova Gora and the ancient sanctuary of Belintash. Walking in the rounded hills of the Rhodope is less strenuous with moderate altitude differences and high-quality paths or forestry roads.
Stara Planina runs the length of Bulgaria; its main ridge is the longest trek in Bulgaria and part of the E3 trans-European hiking route. It takes at least 20 days to hike the whole ridge, which is exposed to climatic extremities year-round. A significant part of the route passes within the Central Balkan National Park, famous for its rich biodiversity and the best-established network of hiking trails.
Mountaineering
In the unspoilt Bulgarian mountains is more than a sport. The well-developed network of huts and over 30 000km of marked paths improves safety and access to mountaineering. Popular areas are Malyovitsa (Rila) for summer and winter, and the north faces of Mt Botev and Mt Vihren and traverses on most ridges in the Pirin Mountains in the winter.
The numerous huts, guest houses and hospitable family hotels are excellent bases for hiking. Professionally trained guides from the Mountain Guide Training Centre are available.
Cycling and mountain biking
The vast network of paths in the Bulgarian mountains is an immense boost for the development of mountain biking. Many places in Stara Planina, the Rhodope and Rila mountains offer mountain bikes to rent.
Horseback riding
has a long tradition in Bulgaria. The largest horse-breeding farm, Kabiyuk (since 1864), is in the south-eastern Bulgaria in the town of Shoumen. It breeds high-class horses of Arab and eastern Bulgarian race, English thoroughbreds and Scotch ponies. There is a wide range of horseback riding holidays available. Not far from Sofia, in Lozenska and Rila Mountains, there are horseback riding facilities at the Iskar hunting lodge.
Adventure travel
goes deeper! Bulgaria’s mountainous terrain means that the opportunities for adventure are practically limitless. Rock climbing is well known here and has been increasing in popularity. The Kominite area (Vitosha), Lakatnik, Vratsa and Veliko Turnovo offer a wide variety of climbing grades and rock types. There is good boulder climbing in the Koprivshtitsa and the Vitosha Plateau areas. Unlit caves like Duhlata (Vitosha), Devetashka (Pleven) and Orlova Chuka (Rusenski Lom Nature Park) are not equipped for tourists but await more adventurous explorers. Rafting and kayaking are available in the spring on the rivers Struma, Vit, Yantra, Danube and Arda and the rivers of Rusenski Lom Nature Park. Paragliding paradises can be found in Bistritsa village near Sofia and the blue skies above the town of Sopot (near Karlovo).
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