Trek through the beautiful Rila and Pirin mountain ranges in Bulgaria
This is one of the finest guided hiking tours in Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s Rila and Pirin mountain ranges are a wonderland of rugged peaks, brilliant glacial lakes, and enchanting forests. The best trails and most magnificent views of this region await you on the spectacular Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria guided hiking tour.
Explore the Rila mountain range, including the Seven Rila Lakes, the world-renowned Rila Monastery, and the summit of Mount Malyovitsa. Then transfer to the Pirin range, where you’ll discover traditional towns and villages such as Bansko, Dobarsko, and Melnik. Climb to the summit of Mount Vihren and spend a night beside Dark Lake at the Tevno Ezero mountain hut.
This tour seamlessly combines the best of this region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage into an experience you won’t soon forget. Book your Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria tour today!
Highlights Of The Summits And Ridges Of Bulgaria Tour
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The Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer to Rila Mountains
Welcome to Bulgaria! When you arrive at the Sofia airport, your guide will meet you and you’ll start your tour by traveling to the Rila mountains. Journey deep into the forest to your first hotel, where you’ll receive a short tour briefing.
Overnight Location: Hotel St. George, Govedartsi
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Hike to the Summit of Mount Malyovitsa and Seven Rila Lakes
After breakfast, your first hiking day takes you to the summit of Mount Malyovitsa. This mountain has become a symbol of the region and the view from the top is an incredible panoramic vista including dozens of peaks and beautiful glacial lakes. After a picnic lunch, your route continues along the ridge leading to the Seven Rila Lakes. Descend again into the dense pine forest where you’ll spend the night in a hotel. Total hiking time is approximately 7 hours.
Overnight Location: Hotel Magnolia, Panichiste
Distance: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Hike to Razdela Pass and the Rila Monastery
Begin the day with a hearty breakfast, then transfer from your hotel to higher altitudes via gondola ride. Today’s trail leads you closer to each of the Seven Lakes and you’ll stop along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch in a beautiful location. Climb to the top of the Razdela pass (2,600 m / 8,530 ft) where you’ll find one of the Rila mountain range’s best viewpoints. Cross the pass then descend again toward the renowned Rila Monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After trekking for about 6-7 hours today, you’ll reach the monastery which is nestled in the heart of the Rila mountains. After a tour of the monastery, continue to a nearby hotel to eat dinner and spend the night.
Overnight Location: Gorski Kut, Rila
Distance: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hike to Dobarsko, Transfer to Bansko
Today’s hike is easier and somewhat shorter (about 6 hours). After a short, 20-minute transfer, you’ll explore the southern side of the Rila mountains, passing the Macedonia Hut from 1933. Stop for a picnic lunch, then descend into a small village called Dobarsko. Transfer from here to Bansko, a popular skiing town at the foot of the Pirin mountain range, full of beautiful old buildings. Listen for traditional Bulgarian folk music floating on the breeze. Spend the night here in Bansko.
Overnight Location: Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Distance: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hike to the Summit of Mount Vihren
Explore the Pirin mountains today, beginning with a 30-minute transfer up to a mountain hut at 2,000 m (6,562 ft). From here, climb to the summit of Mount Vihren (2,914 m / 9,560 ft), the tallest peak of the Pirin range. This hike is the most technically difficult segment of your tour and hiking up and down again will take about 6 hours. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way, and pause often to appreciate the spectacular views all around you. Return to Bansko and head to a traditional local tavern, where you can experience the traditional food and music of the region.
Overnight Location: Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Distance: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Hike from Vihren Hut to Tevno Ezero Hut
After breakfast, transfer to the Vihren Hut (about 30 minutes) to begin the next leg of your hike. Walk along the central ridge of the Pirin mountain range, surrounded by incredible views of lakes and mountains. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way. After about 6.5 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Tevno Ezero mountain hut (2,515 m / 8,251 ft) nestled in the heart of the Pirin mountains at the foot of Mount Kamenitsa. Tevno Ezero means “dark lake” and the hut is beautifully situated on the eastern shore of the lake surrounded by mountains. Spend the night in this picturesque location.
Overnight Location: Tevno Ezero Hut
Distance: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Hike from Tevno Ezero Hut to a Village, Transfer to Melnik
Your last hiking day is an easy descent for about 4 hours from the Tevno Ezero Hut to a nearby village. Enjoy your last views of the lovely pine forests and striking glacial lakes as you complete your wonderful hiking tour. From the village, a short transfer brings you to Bulgaria’s smallest town called Melnik. A town of only 300 inhabitants who live in very traditional Bulgarian houses, Melnik is world-famous for its red wine. Spend your last night in a hotel in Melnik and enjoy a traditional dinner in a local tavern.
Overnight Location: Despot Slav, Melnik
Distance: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Departure Day
Sadly, your Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria hiking tour has come to an end. After breakfast, transfer from Melnik back to the capital city of Sofia for departure from the Sofia Airport. Have a pleasant journey!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria Tour Price and Dates
Enjoy your own private guided hiking tour in Bulgarian Mountains! Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 2-3: $2,095 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 4-5: $1,195 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 6+: $1,075 USD per person
Accommodation on the Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria Tour
This tour is based in hotels except for one night in a forest cottage. The hotels on this tour are mainly family-run and you will be accommodated in a double room, unless you choose to pay a supplement and have a single room.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try to match up single travelers when possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel St. George, Govedartsi
This cozy hotel offers a pleasant combination of sweeping mountain views, amenities (free Wi-Fi, TV in the room, à la carte restaurant), and friendliness!
Hotel Magnolia, Panichiste
Magnolia hotel is a beautiful accommodation in small mountain resort, Panichishte. Enjoy the views and lovely rooms.
Gorski Kut, Rila
Surround yourself with beautiful views from a cozy family run hotel hidden in Rila valley.
Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Small, authentic, family owned guesthouse in Bansko will make you feel like at home.
Tevno Ezero Mountain Hut
Tucked away in Pirin Mountains, this mountain hut will reward you with beautiful views and authentic shelter.
Hotel Despot Slav, Melnik
Very pleasant hotel in a pleasant location. Great food, great rooms and great food in restaurant – what more to ask for?
What’s included in the Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights along the tour are included
Transportation during the Tour
All the transfers during the tour for you and your luggage are included. Transfers to and from the airport are included too.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide during the tour
- Gondola tickets
Not included
- Flights to and from Sofia
- Tickets to museums and historical monuments
- Water and beverages during meals
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not stated in inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions about The Summits and Ridges of Bulgaria
Adventure Trails is a boutique tour operator specializing in all kinds of outdoor-based tours in Bulgaria.
Adventure Trails creates innovative tours that capture the most special parts of Bulgaria. Clients looking for an adventurous and active trip can choose from trekking, biking, climbing, and cultural tours.
The accommodations and transportation during the tours are always carefully selected for their quality.
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Stoyan is one of the most experienced guides at Adventure Trails. He has 12 years of guiding under his belt. Stoyan is comfortable in all kinds of adventure activities, but he is especially comfortable when it comes to mountaineering.
- Q: What is your favourite tour to lead and why?
- A: I like every trip I guide, but my favourite are the winter snowshoeing tours, as this is when the mountains are at their best.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting Bulgaria should have?
- A: For active tourism, I would say climbing Mt. Vihren in the Pirin range. In terms of cultural-historical tourism, I would say visiting Plovdiv, the most ancient city in Europe. We like to combine both active and cultural-historical tourism in our tours.
- Q: What do your guests like best about the trips you lead?
- A: The fantastic scenery, the excellent food, accommodations, and hospitality, the perfect organization, the interesting conversations, and the berries in the forests!