The Riddles Of The Rila Mountains

Mount Rila is considered Bulgaria’s best alpine tourism site, offering a huge diversity of marked hiking trails of varied difficulty levels. Two large international tourist trails (the Е4 and the Е8) cross the mountain. The Rila offers not only the Balkans’ highest peak (Musala, 2925m/9596ft), but also plentiful glacier lakes (more than 180, in fact!), deep river valleys, broad alpine meadows, and diverse flora and fauna. The Rila National Park is the largest of Bulgaria’s three national parks and one of Europe’s largest.

The tour includes all transfers, including those from and to Sofia Airport. The walking treks are rather arduous and suitable for people experienced in alpine trekking. Paths are well marked, in addition clients receiving maps and detailed descriptions of the routes in English. Some of the days offer opportunities for choosing between different hiking treks, depending on weather and clients’ fitness.

A day trip to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO heritage site and probably the most famous tourist attraction in Bulgaria is a natural extension of this tour, which many clients prefer to book with us. This involves an extra night in Sofia which is normally appreciated by everyone, allowing also more time to explore the capital.

Day 1: We meet you at Sofia Airport and transfer you to a city centre hotel.
Day 2: A panoramic walking route takes you across the crest of Mount Vitosha, including climbing the local high point of Cherni Vrah (2290m/7513ft) as a prelude to the arduous, yet more picturesque hiking treks across the Rila. Along the way, you cross the broad alpine meadows of the Torfeno Branishte Nature Reserve, dip into old spruce groves and follow a path to the stone rivers of the Zlatni Mostove natural feature. From here, you are transferred to the Rila Mountains and the village of Govedartsi for three overnight stays. (walking: 11km/7miles, climbing 500m/1600ft and descending 800m/2600ft.)
Day 3: A circular route through the low parts of the Rila above Govedartsi prepares you for more difficult hiking treks to come. Rambling along the path, you enjoy a fascinating kaleidoscope of changing landscapes and wonderful panoramas of rocky peaks and deep valleys in the Malyovitsa part of the mountain. (walking: 16km/10miles, climbing and descending 350m/1200ft.)
Day 4: A shaded path through the Rila’s ancient spruce forests takes you up to the alpine parts of the mountain and the Cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes. Located at between 2100 and 2500 metres (6900 to 8200ft) above sea level, these famous glacier lakes will charm you with their magnificent scenery which you can survey from the edge of the highest one. (walking: 16km/10miles, climbing and descending 750 to 1000m/2500 to 3300ft.)
Day 5: Today’s route takes you to the beautiful Malyovitsa Valley and thence high over the alpine peaks sheltering the secretive Strashno Ezero (The Scary) Lake. More enthusiastic mountaineers may opt for an alternative hiking trek to the Malyovitsa summit which offers incredible views over the nearby crests and peaks of the Rila. At the end of the day, you are transferred for three overnight stays at the Borovets ski resort. (walking: 12km/7miles, climbing and descending 900m/3000ft.)
Day 6: Today, you can opt between a brisk morning walk and a rather longer (yet not steep) hiking trek to another less-visited part of the Rila. The route passes through ancient coniferous woods and continues along the Maritsa River valley, gently climbing to the Royal hunting lodge at Saragiol, from where you return to Borovets along a different route. (walking: 10 or 25km/6 or 15 miles, climbing and descending 750m/2500ft.)
Day 7: The attempt on the Balkans’ highest summit Musala (2925m/9596ft) is left for the ultimate day. The hiking is not particularly arduous, yet is particularly panoramic, with the rocky face of Musala visible the whole time while you transit a number of Cirques, glacier lakes and mountain shelters. The view from the peak to surrounding uplands and peaks is head-turning. (walking: 13km/8miles, climbing and descending through 750m/2460ft.
Day 8: Transfer from Borovets to Sofia Airport.

A DETAILED ROUTE BOOK AND MAP WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL

Notes: most tourists prefer to call on the Rila Monastery on their way to Sofia, or to have more time to see the capital by booking one or two extra overnight stays there. Booking additional days in Sofia before or after the tour also offers opportunities for day trips with us to Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, or Veliko Tarnovo.

Accommodation and luggage transfers: three-star and family hotels; en-suite rooms; breakfast and supper, except Day 1 when supper is not included. Luggage is transported between accommodations.