Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

Why it's much better

• 4 days hiking in the 'Alps of the Balkans'
• Hike past glacial lakes, along jagged ridges and through alpine meadows
• Marvel at the epic scenery and panoramic views of the Pirin and Rila mountain ranges
• Summit Mount Vihren (2915m) and Mount Polezhan (2851m)
• Soak up the wild landscape which is home to bears, ibex, martens, eagles and falcons
• Stay in family owned independent hotels in between hikes

• Guides Expert, English-speaking local guides
• Accommodation 4 nights of accommodation at comfortable family-run hotels
• Meals All breakfasts and dinners
• Transfers All airport transfers
• Permits All permits and entry fees
• Happiness Guaranteed We're so confident that your holiday will be your best yet, we actually guarantee it
• Feel Good Vibes We mitigate 4x the carbon emitted by all our travellers and support important conservation projects

Friday: Arrival

Your host will meet you at the airport in Sofia. Transfer into the city to check into your B&B.

Spend the evening exploring the city, taking in the sights and experiencing your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Saturday: Hike the Malyovitsa Valley

Your host will pick you up early in Sofia and drive you to the Malyovitsa Resort in the Rila Mountains where your adventure begins.

You'll hike through spectacular alpine landscapes, through clusters of glacial lakes and flower-filled meadows, and past Strashno Ezero ("Scary Lake").

Descend to Yonchevo Lake and complete the loop back to Malyovitsa Resort. From there you'll drive to the nearby village of Govedartsi where you'll stay in a friendly family-run pension and dine on delicious traditional food.

2 hours driving

Hiking distance: 6km - Elevation ascent/descent 900m - Duration: 6 hours hiking

Sunday: Hike the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque

In the morning drive to Panichishte and take a cable car to the base of the Seven Rila Lake Cirque. There you'll spend the day hiking through a landscape of crystal lakes, jagged ridges, and alpine meadows.

The famous glacial lakes will take your breath away with its magnificent scenery, especially when you reach the highest lake with views looking back down on all the lakes you've just hiked past.

Back at the trailhead, you'll drive to the town of Bansko in the Pirin Mountains where you'll spend two nights at a family-run hotel.

3 hours driving

Hiking distance: 6km - Elevation ascent/descent 500m - Duration: 4 hours hiking

Monday: Hike Mount Vihren

Drive to nearby Vihren Hut, then ascend through the dramatic Golem Kazan (“Giant Cauldron”) area beneath the sheer face of Mount Vihren (2915m).

Your guide will point out endangered edelweiss, rare wallcreeper, and hopefully some shy Balkan Chamois. Enjoy the spectacular views from Mount Vihren, then descend to your hotel in Bansko.

40 minutes driving

Hiking distance: 9km - Elevation ascent/descent 1000m - Duration: 6 hours hiking

Tuesday: Hike Mount Polezhan and return to Sofia

In the morning you’ll transfer to Dobrinishte Resort and take a cable car to Bezbog Hut, the start of your hike to the summit of Mount Polezhan (2851 m).

Your hike will take you along the classic northeast ridge, a route that is not very difficult or steep until the last 15 minutes of the ascent.

From the peak you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of 17 blue alpine lakes contained within three dramatic cirques.

Hike back down to the trailhead for your transfer back to Sofia or the airport.

3.5 hours driving

Hiking distance: 8km - Elevation ascent/descent 650m - Duration: 5 hours hiking

You will stay in small, three-star, family-run hotels and guest houses in the mountains. These guesthouses typically feature ensuite double or twin rooms with private balconies, an onsite restaurant serving traditional Bulgarian food, wireless internet access, and stellar mountain views.

In Sofia your accommodation will be in the 3-star B&B Hotel Sofia Place (or similar) in the centre of town. The hotel features a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a cozy lobby bar, free wifi throughout the building, a sauna and a fitness centre. Breakfast is included.

You will be staying in single rooms by default on this trip. If you're travelling as a couple or with other people and would like a twin/double room please let your host know when booking.

The Rila Mountains are the highest in the Balkans. The name refers to its high number of beautiful mountain lakes—more than 200! The rugged, glacial mountains are home to the Rila National Park and four nature reserves, protecting such wildlife as hedgehogs, martens, foxes, bears, deer and ibex. Eagles and falcons often soar overhead. Local points of interest include the UNESCO listed Rila Monastery; Sapareva Banya, a hot mineral springs with a modern public bath; and Kalin Dam, the highest--and most scenic!--dam in the Balkans.

The Pirin Mountains are similarly high with 40 peaks over 2500 m. They are famous for their heavily glaciated landscape including numerous dramatic cirques full of glacial lakes. Snow sticks to the high mountains year round. A large portion of the Pirin Mountains have been preserved as a national park and as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Towns in the Pirin Mountains include the Bankso, the largest ski resort in Bulgaria; Melnik, a tiny village known for its wine, architecture, and sand pyramids; the hot springs towns of Dobrinishte and Sandanski; and Razlog, a supremely scenic town situated between three high peaks.

Your trip starts at Sofia international airport. Transfers are included if you arrive on the start day, so please let your host know your flight times.

Your trip ends back at Sofia international airport where your host will drop you off at approximately 18:00pm on the final day of the trip. You are free to book any flight that departs after 20:00pm