
Hike Bulgaria's Mountains in Winter
- Bulgaria
- 5 nights
Snowshoe your way through Bulgaria's epic winter landscapes, taking in the pristine peaks of the Vitosha, Pirin and Rila mountain ranges
What's Included?
- Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with local, expert, English-speaking guides
- Accommodation5 nights in cosy, family-run hotels
- MealsAll your meals are included throughout the trip
- Transfers & LiftsAirport transfers, all transfers during the trip, plus ski lifts
- EquipmentAll your snowshoeing and safety equipment
- Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From…excluding flights
Highlights
Take on the peaks of Cherni Vruh (2290m) and Bezbog (2645m) as you seek out the best mountain views across Bulgaria's UNESCO-listed National Parks
Snowshoe a lap of the iconic Seven Rila Lakes, a magical winter wonderland of frozen lakes surrounded by snow-draped peaks
Relax in cosy family-run guesthouses and enjoy warm hospitality, hearty traditional meals and a variety of thermal pools, saunas and après-ski experiences
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Bulgaria!
HotelTwin shareDinner includedShow Day 1 detailHide detail
Meet your host at the airport and head to your hotel in the Dragalevtsi neighbourhood of Sofia, situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. This evening you'll meet your guide over a welcome meal at a nearby restaurant and check over your kit ahead of tomorrow's snowy adventure.
Day 2
Start your snowshoeing adventure
Snowshoeing4-5 hrs · 10km · 480m up · 480m downDriving2 hrsHotelTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 2 detailHide detail
Head up into the mountains with a quick morning transfer to the Aleko Mountain Hut at 1810m. Sat at the foot of Maluk Rezen (2191m) it is the perfect place to get acquainted with your snowshoes. Your guides will run you through the basics of moving on the snow and some practical safety advice about the winter mountain environment. Once comfortable with your new appendages, you'll head out on your first hike where you'll cross the Moreni boulder field and reach the plateau of Torfeno Nature Reserve, which was declared as a reserve in 1935 to preserve the unique ecosystems of the peat bogs that make up the plateau. You'll explore the higher open plateau above Torfeno with panoramic views across the city of Sofia and the Stara Planina and Rila Mountains. As a test of your newly acquired snowshoeing skills, make a final climb up to the peak of Cherni Vruh, the highest of the Vitosha Mountains at 2290m. From here, descend to Goli Vruh and meet the van to transfer you to the town of Sapareva Banya in the foothills of the Rila Mountains. Check in to the small, family-run hotel complete with its own mineral hot pool.
Day 3
Explore the Seven Rila Lakes
Snowshoeing4 - 5 hrs · 10km · 460m up · 460m downDriving2hrsHotelTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 3 detailHide detail
After a short transfer to the lift station, you'll hop on the chair lift from Pionerska Hut and ascend 500m to the Rila Lakes hut at a lofty 2100m. You'll snowshoe a circular route through the seven frozen lakes of Rila National Park and some of Bulgaria's most spectacular scenery. You'll reach vast mountain plateaus offering panoramic views of jagged peaks and frozen lakes. After reaching Kidney Lake, head back down to the Rila Lakes Hut and take the chairlift back to the waiting van. With your guide, drive to the town of Bansko in the foothills of Pirin National Park where you'll check in to your next cosy hotel.
Day 4
Snowshoe to the top of Bezbog Peak (2645m)
Snowshoeing4 - 5 hrs · 6km · 400m up · 400m downHotelTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 4 detailHide detail
Limber up for the highest climb of the trip, as today you'll take on the impressive Bezbog Peak at 2645m. After a short drive to Gotse Delchev hut, take the chair lift to Bezbog hut at 2240m. A modern mountain hut situated on the shores of the Bezbog mountain lake, it's a good place to grab a snack or a coffee before taking on the hike. From here, the peak lies a couple of hours' snowshoe away along a narrow trail winding up onto a ridge that rises to the summit. Once on top, you'll be treated to great views over Pirin, Rila, Rhodope and Falakro, as well as the stunning panorama of mountain lakes and surrounding snowy peaks. Descend to the top station and take the lift back down to Bansko. This evening your guide will take you to the village of Gorno Draglishte where you'll be treated to an evening of traditional Bulgarian culture and local specialities.
Day 5
Snowshoe to Muratovo Lake
Snowshoeing4 - 5 hrs · 11km · 500m up · 500m downHotelTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 5 detailHide detail
Today's snowshoe adventure takes you through the woodlands of Banderitsa Valley. From Shiligarnika, at 1700m, you'll head up through a pine forest to Muratovo Lake with amazing views of the surrounding peaks of Vihran, Todorka and Donchovi Karauli. Along the way, you pass Baikusheva Mura, the oldest tree on the Balkan Peninsula at an impressive 1300 years old! Having enjoyed your final day in this magical snowy landscape it's time to head back to Bankso for a farewell dinner with your fellow adventurers.
Day 6
Goodbye Bulgaria!
Driving2 hrsBreakfast includedShow Day 6 detailHide detail
Say goodbye to Bulgaria's impressive mountains and take a morning transfer to Sofia Airport.
Getting There
- Nearest airport
- Sofia Airport (SOF)
- Pick up
- Sofia Airport, Bulgaria (SOF)
15:00 on Day 1 - Drop off
- Sofia Airport, Bulgaria (SOF)
11:00 on Day 6
What is and isn't Included?
What's included
- Guided snowshoe hike in the Vitosha Mountains
- Guided snowshoe hike around the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila National Park
- Guided snowshoe hike to Bezbog Peak (2645m) in the Pirin Mountains
- Guided snowshoe hike to Muratovo Lake in the Pirin Mountains
- Professional, English-speaking, local guide holding the UIMLA accredited International Mountain Leader qualification
- 1 night in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Sofia
- 1 night in a spa hotel in Sapareva Banya
- 3 nights in a family run hotel in Bansko
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 5 tasty breakfasts
- 5 packed lunches
- 5 hearty Bulgarian dinners
- Group arrival transfer from Sofia Airport on Day 1
- Group Departure transfer to Sofia Airport on Day 6
- All transfers during trip
- All ski lifts during hikes
- All your snowshoeing equipment (snowshoes and poles)
- Avalanche safety gear (transceiver, shovel, probe)
What's not included
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
- 40-60 BGN for your guide
- 20-30 BGN for your driver
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travellers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (opens in new tab) (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield (opens in new tab), both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Where You'll Stay
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
What You'll Eat
Bulgarian food blends Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman influences. It features fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with dishes like shopska salad (a refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and cheese), banitsa (a savoury pastry filled with ch…
Optional Extras
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation
- Pre/post trip accommodation in Sofia or Bankso (Single)
- …/per person, per night
- Pre/post trip accommodation in Sofia or Bankso (double/twin)
- …/per night
Upgrades
- Single Room Occupancy
- …/per person
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge – see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking, as this is subject to availability and can be limited depending on the hotels' availability.
Transfers
- Private Transfer from Sofia Airport to Hotel (1 - 4 people)
- …
- Private transfer to Sofia Airport from Bankso (1 - 4 people)
- …
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
This Trip is Graded Level 3
Ratings & Reviews
- 4 stars (0)
- 3 stars (0)
- 2 stars (0)
- 1 star (0)
Latest Reviews
Customer Photos
Want to Know More?
Ask our AI Assistant
Get instant answers about this adventure
We've Got Your Back
Book with confidence and peace of mind.
Departure dates
Don't see a date you like?
Get an email alert when new dates are added.

Got a Group of 6 or More?
What to Pack

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
FAQs
What happens if there is no snow?
Although snowfall is common in this region from late December through to March, and the itinerary reaches elevations where snow cover is the norm during these months, it is never guaranteed – so conditions may vary on each departure. All activities included in the trip can take place with or without snow, and they are equally enjoyable. Your guide may slightly alter the hiking routes and distance in order to offer the best and safest possible experience. Equally, if there is too much snow or unfavourable weather conditions, there are alternative routes to complete at lower elevations.
Can I leave my excess luggage somewhere?
Your luggage will be transported to each hotel throughout the trip.
What do I do about drinking water?
The tap water in Bulgaria is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.
Can I book on my own?
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Who is running the trip?
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
What is the official travel advice?
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
What vaccinations do I need?
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
How are the trips priced?
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
Why are your adventures only for adults?
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
Who else will be on my trip?
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
What's the weather like?
The Rila and Pirin mountains will be cold in winter, with snowfall common from December through to March. Daytime temperatures in the mountains will likely be around -5°C up to 0°C, but can drop lower at the higher elevations. You'll need to bring adequate winter clothing and warm layers for the hikes, but the hotels and guesthouses will keep you snug and warm during the evenings.
Please note that snow is never guaranteed on each departure, but winter hiking without snow will be equally spectacular and enjoyable.
What's the carbon footprint for this trip?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 155kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Still Undecided?
A few other trips to tickle your fancy







