Snowshoeing Trek In The Vitosha And Rila Mountains

Revel in the beauty of nature amid winter. Sense the calm of winter magic in two of Bulgaria’s best-loved mountains: the Vitosha Natural Park and the Rila Natural Park. Our snowshoeing trek passes old mountain forests, high plateaus, and valleys, tiring us pleasantly before an evening spent in a peasant family hotel with a glass of red wine with appetizing local specialities. The itinerary includes a call at one of Bulgaria’s most renowned sights: the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery.

Snowshoe walking appears easy fun, yet calls for some stamina because any walking through snow can be tiring. Even if you have not tried this type of locomotion, you will rapidly get used to using the poles and snowshoes on thick, fluffy virgin mountain snow. The programme is rather arduous and suitable for people in very good physical shape. Depending on the weather and snow cover, your guide may change the proposed routes.

 Day 1: We meet you at Sofia Airport and transfer you to the hotel where the group will overnight.
Day 2: Today, we traverse Vitosha: the most popular destination for Sofianites. Starting from the Aleko Hut, we shall trek along the crest of the mountain through the Torfeno Branishte Nature Reserve to the famous Zlatni Mostove stone rivers. We then transfer for another night in Sofia. (4hrs of walking, climbing 150m/500ft and descending 600m/2000ft.)
Day 3: Another brief transfer to the Aleko Hut gets us on our way on a circular route to the Cherni Vrah summit (2290m/7513ft) where we halt for a rest and a cup of hot tea before we descend below the rocks of the Malak Rezen summit. (5hrs of walking, climbing and descending 600m/2000ft.)
Day 4: Today, we visit one of Bulgaria’s top tourist attractions: the Rila Monastery listed by UNESCO and the nearby Stobski Piramidi sand formations. After that, we overnight at the Sapareva Banya village, home to Bulgaria’s only geyser gushing mineral water at 103⁰С.
Day 5: A brief transfer takes us to the Panichishte Resort where we board a cable car to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque for a full tour. Though frozen and covered in thick snow in winter, the area remains rather pretty. Our day ends in a cosy family hotel at the village of Govedartsi. (5hrs of walking, climbing and descending 350m/1100ft.)
Day 6: Today’s aim is Bulgaria, and the Balkans’, highest summit: Musala (2925m/9596ft). We climb to the starting point of the route by cable car from the Borovets Resort. If weather permits and we make the summit, we shall enjoy stunning prospects to the surrounding mountains. We overnight at Govedartsi again. (6hrs of walking, climbing and descending 750m/2500ft.)
Day 7: The last active day of the programme sees an attempt on Malyovitsa summit (2729m/8953ft). The path upwards follows the valley of the Malyovishka River and a break at the hut of the same name, huddled among the steep mountain slopes. A gala dinner and an overnight stay at Govedartsi. (6-7hrs hours of walking, climbing and descending 1000m/3280ft.)
Day 8: Transfer from Govedartsi to Sofia Airport.

Notes: you may book additional nights in Sofia before or after the tour, or day trips with us to culture centres like Plovdiv, the Bachkovo Monastery, Koprivshtitsa, Starosel, or Veliko Tarnovo.

Accommodation: three-star and family hotels; en-suite rooms; breakfast and supper.