Hiking in Bulgaria
Hikes in the Rila and Pirin Mountains
Come to the edge of Europe and discover remarkable Bulgaria! The trails of the Rila and Pirin National Parks will take you into the heart of some of the wildest mountain scenery left on the continent. Follow paths through streamside meadows and groves of pine, fir and spruce. Ascend to gem-like lakes cupped in mountain basins, and revel in the joy of a ridgetop walk where you can let the mountain breezes sweep your cares away. Deep in a forested valley, contemplate the frescoes that grace the walls and ceilings of the Rila Monastery, a testimony to the pride and faith of the Bulgarian people. Savor the pleasure of an overnight stay in a traditional village kashta (inn) in a Bulgarian mountain village. In a Bulgarian mehana (tavern), fine food, drink, and music cap off your adventure-filled days. Introduce yourself to Bulgaria; a warm welcome awaits you!
Back in 2002, we launched our first hiking trip to the mountains of Bulgaria making Mountain Hiking Holidays one of the very first U.S. based companies to do so. John and Amy Osaki, the founders of Mountain Hiking Holidays, fell in love with the landscapes, food and people of this country and in the years since they helped to fund the construction of a five-bedroom inn in the mountain village of Kovachevitsa (an architectural reserve) in southern Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. The inn was constructed in the traditional manner but features modern conveniences. You’ll have a chance to experience it (along with special musical performances) on the 2019 Bulgaria trip! We hope that you’ll be able to join us!
Day 1
Overnight in Govedartsi
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
From central Sofia, the bulk of Mount Vitosha (whose name means “twin peaks”) dominates the view to the city’s south. The sub-alpine zone of Mount Vitosha is known for its “stone runs” (linear, ribbon-like accumulations of boulders), a geologic feature whose finest representations can be found on Vitosha and in the Falkland Islands. Travel up the northern flanks of Mount Vitosha to Goli Vruh from where you’ll set off on your choice of high country hikes. Hike to the area known as Stenata (“the wall”), or continue further to the summit of the mountain at the peak of Cherni Vruh (“Black Peak”). At the conclusion of the hikes, travel by vehicle to the Rila Mountains and the village of Govedartsi, your base for three nights.
Wind-swept and cloud-raked alpine meadows high on Mount Vitosha. (Photo by A. Marinov)
A high country tarn beneath the peak of Deno (center) and Musala (right), Rila National Park.
Day 2
Overnight in Govedartsi
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Enjoy a choice of hikes in the Rila Mountains from your base in Govedartsi. A three-mile long cable car line lifts you 3,400 vertical feet into the Rila Mountains from its lower station in nearby Borovets. From the cable car’s upper station at Yastrebets Chalet (7,710 feet) enjoy a panorama of Rila’s high peaks. Looking south, you’ll gaze upon the summits of Deno, Irechek, Malka Musala, Musala, and Aleko. A gentle walk through alpine meadows and groves of stunted mugo pines brings you to the still waters of the Musala Lakes. Continue further along a well-built trail to the Aleko Lakes tucked away in a higher basin. A more challenging hiking option continues up the ridge past Ledenoto Ezero (“Icy Lake”) eventually gaining the summit of Musala at 9,597 feet, the highest point in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula! From the summit, sweeping views extend to Mount Vitosha to the north and the Pirin Range to the south.
The trail to Musala skirts the shores of the Aleko Lake.
A field of crocus in the Rila Mountains.
Hiking through the Suhiya Rid, Rila National Park.
Day 3
Overnight in Govedartsi
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Enjoy your choice of hikes in the Rila Seven Lakes Basin (Tsirkus Sedemte Rilski Ezera), one of the most splendid high country areas in Bulgaria. Starting from the Pionerska Chalet, hike through woods and meadows to reach the lip of the basin at the Rila Lake Chalet. From here, ascend a grassy, open ridge to the sweeping, “Sound of Music-style” meadow called Suhiya Rid. Below you lies the lake-spangled Seven Lakes Cirque carpeted by flower-filled meadows. All around you rise the snow-flecked ramparts of the Rila Mountains. A gentle walk brings you to the cobalt-blue waters of Bubreka Ezero (“Kidney Lake”). From this point, energetic hikers can ascend further to reach Okoto Ezero (“Eye Lake”), and Sulzata Ezero (“Teardrop Lake”), time and weather permitting. Otherwise, descend into the main part of the basin passing beautiful Bliznaka Ezero (“Twin Lake”), Trilistnika Ezero (“Three Leaf Lake”), and Ribnoto Ezero (“Fish Lake”). Loop back to the Rila Lake Chalet and continue through meadows and woods to return to the trailhead.
Three of the seven Rila Lakes. From front to back: Twin (Bliznaka) Lake, Trefoil (Trilistnika) Lake, Fish (Ribno) Lake.
Rila Monastery.
Day 4
Overnight in Bansko
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Travel to the Rila Monastery nestled in a deep valley on the western flanks of the Rila Mountains. Portions of the monastery, which was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1983, date to the 14th century though a large portion of the monastery was reconstructed in the 19th century after a devastating fire. The monastery’s five-domed Sveta Borgoroditsa church dates from 1834 and is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin; the walls and domed ceilings of its external gallery are graced with brilliant frescoes that will take your breath away! You can wander through the impressive 19th century monastery kitchen and beneath the multi-storied, arcaded verandahs that ring the interior of the monastery compound. After lunch, hike to the chapel of St. John of Rila set in lush, deciduous woods on the slopes of the valley. From the chapel, the path descends easily through flowering meadows and woodlands passing the chapel of St. Luke en route. After the hike, depart for the town of Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Tonight, a splendid Bulgarian meal awaits at a traditional mehana (“tavern”).
Hiking near the Rila Monastery.
The peak of Vihren (right) as seen from the upper Bunderitsa Valley, Pirin National Park.
Day 5
Overnight in Bansko
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Start your exploration of the Pirin Mountains with a choice of hikes in the Bunderitsa Valley. Green meadows accented with clumps of pine and picturesque boulders make for joyous walking at the start of the day. After about an hour of walking, arrive at the shores of the Ribno Ezero (“Fish Lake”), the largest lake in the valley nestled against the headwall of the lower Bunderishki Cirque. Proceed further into the mountains heading for the set of lakes that adorns the floor of the upper valley. Perhaps the most beautiful of these, Dulgo Ezero (“Long Lake”), is edged by granite boulders and clumps of mugo pine. Its cobalt waters reflect the grandeur of surrounding peaks including the brilliant limestone summit of Vichren, highest in the Pirin. For a longer hike, continue to the saddle known as Todorina Porta for far-ranging Pirin vistas before retracing your steps to the trailhead.
Dulgo Ezero (Long Lake) as seen from the trail to Todorina Porta.
The Bunderitsa Valley en route to Muratovo Ezero.
Day 6
Overnight in Bansko
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Today you have the option of hiking to the top of the striking pyramidal limestone peak of Vihren, the highest summit in the Pirin Mountains and second highest in Bulgaria. The ascent of Vihren is strenuous, steep in portions and often rocky, but it is not technically difficult. If you take your time and pace yourself, you may find yourself atop the fourth highest summit on the Balkan Peninsula. Perhaps you’ll agree that the views from this lofty summit are more than adequate compensation for the effort! For a less challenging but no less beautiful option, you can enjoy the hike to meadow-ringed Muratovo Ezero (“Pine Lake”) whose still alpine waters reflect the peaks of the upper Bunderistsa Valley.
Muratovo Ezero (Pine Lake).
View from the summit of Vihren.
View of Bezbog Lake and Chalet from the trail to Popovo Ezero.
Day 7
Overnight in Bansko
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Travel by vehicle from Bansko to the Gotse Delchev Chalet in the mountains south of the village of Dobrinishte. From there, a chairlift lifts you through conifer-clad Pirin foothills to the Bezbog Chalet set on the shores of a lovely mountain tarn of the same name. On a serene summer day, the beauty of this little lake (Bezbozhko Ezero) reflecting the surrounding mountain ridges belies its name, Bezbog, meaning “without God,” or “godforsaken.” Magnificent mountain vistas accompany you on the walk from Bezbog Chalet to the Popovo Ezero (“Priest Lake”), one of the most beautiful of Pirin high country lakes whose crystalline waters sparkle in a splendid mountain setting. If you desire, continue up the grassy valley to the south of the lake and ascend steadily to the pass of Zhelezni vrata (“Iron Gate”). From the pass wonderful views extend over the Popovo Cirque (Popovoezeren Tsirkus) to the north while to the south, the small mountain tarn of Argirovo Ezero (“Argir’s Lake”) shimmers below you.
A view of the Pirin Mountains from the trail to Popovo Ezero.
View of Popovo Ezero from the hike to Zhelezni Vrata.
Houses in Kovachevitsa village.
Day 8
Overnight in Kovachevitsa
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
From Bansko, travel by vehicle following the course of the Mesta River which separates the Pirin Mountains from the Rhodope Mountains. A winding road leads to a ridge top trailhead near the village of Osikovo. From here, the view of the Pirin Mountains stretching across the horizon to the west is delightful. A path leads through mountain farm fields and meadows before dropping gradually into the gorge of the Kanina River. Cross the river on a footbridge and ascend to the well-preserved mountain village of Kovachevitsa (elevation 3,500 feet). Kovachevitsa village is filled with fine examples of National Revival architecture and has been named an architectural and historical reserve by the Bulgarian government. Enjoy an overnight stay at a traditional inn. Before dinner, wander through the streets of the village and soak up the ambiance of this magical place. A special music performance for our group has been arranged for this evening.
Hikers entering the Kanina Gorge on the trail to Kovachevitsa village.
I had seen your slide shows, so I wasn’t surprised by the beauty of the mountains. I found the architecture and culture—including the music—more stimulating than I had expected.
–NANCY CHAPMAN
The stone face at Gradishteto. (Photo by A. Marinov)
Day 9
Overnight in Sofia
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Enjoy a quiet, leisurely morning in Kovachevitsa before beginning the journey by vehicle back to Sofia. En route to Sofia, enjoy a short walk in the Gradishteto Landscape Park. Paths lead to curiously shaped rock formations in an area believed by some to be an ancient Thracian sacred site. After the visit, continue by vehicle to Sofia. This evening, enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine at a farewell dinner! Tomorrow, your breakfast is also included as is your transfer to Sofia airport for your departing flight.
The Aleksandar Nevski church and the parliament building in central Sofia.
Seeing Sofia
We suggest you allow yourself an extra day to explore Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia. Enjoy a walking tour of central Sofia including the imposing Aleksandar Nevski Church and the eye-catching Church of St. Nikolai (St. Nicholas). Later, visit the Boyana Church, a World Heritage Site, in the village of Boyana (today a hill suburb of Sofia). The Boyana Church was built within the compound of one of thirty-five fortresses that once defended the city of Sredets (Sofia). The church consists of three buildings dating from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. The interior walls of the 13th century structure—the Kayolan Chuch (named after its donor)—are covered with frescoes executed in 1259 in Byzantine style by an anonymous artist. The murals depict 240 figures in 89 scenes and comprise one of the most important collections of medieval paintings in Europe. Boyana’s frescoes have undergone nearly 40 years worth of restoration work.
Other Resources
Read UNESCO’s description of the Pirin National Park World Heritage Site. Learn more about the architecture and art of the World Heritage Boyana Church outside Sofia. The Sofia City Guide is a great little website that “cuts to the chase” with information on the city—things to watch for and watch out for! A great way to familiarize yourself with Bulgaria’s capital city.
Hikers at Suhiya Rid, Rila National Park.
Hiking in the Bunderitsa Valley, Pirin National Park.
Photos on this page are by John Osaki (© All Rights Reserved) except as otherwise credited.
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