Hiking in Bulgaria is many things. It is cheap and very cheerful, quiet and quaint. But most importantly for secret trail seekers, it is gloriously mountainous but never ever monotonous. It has different ranges dotted around the country, such as the Rhodope mountains in the south-west corner, the Pirin and Rila Ranges creating a western wonderland, and the mountains of Central Balkans National Park are home to the country’s northern nirvanas. Here are our seven best hikes in Bulgaria, suitable for a range of abilities. Some are for summit seekers and others are more gentle saunters with a splash and a spa at the end.
Ascent of Mount Musala (2,925m), Rila Mountains National Park
Rila Mountains National Park’s leading player is Mount Musala, which is not only the country’s highest peak at 2,925m, but also the highest on the Balkans Peninsula. Not surprisingly, therefore, from the top you can see all the way to Greece on a good day. And given that you can ascend this beauty in just one day, it’s always a good day on Musala. You have plenty of time to acclimatise, as the ascent takes place on day four of both our Rila and Pirin Mountains and Lakes holiday, and our shorter Rila Mountains Walking Break. You can also do it as part of a guided tour.
The hike starts at an elevation of 2,350m which you reach after a gondola from Yastrebets. From here you continue up past Musala Mountain Hut and Alekovo Lake, which is in the foothills of its own peak, Mount Aleko (1,160m) all the way up to the rocky peak. You may not want to leave once you get there, as you have views across Bulgaria’s Vitosha, Sredna Gora, Rhodope and Pirin mountain ranges. But leave you must, as it’s a three to four hours descent to the gondola. Keep an eye out for the Danube river to the south too, as it deigns to appear from time to time.
Distance: 14.8km
Hiking time: 6-7h
“My sister and I are experienced trekkers and were looking for something quite challenging and adventurous and this really delivered! Climbing the highest peak in the Balkans was absolutely incredible as well as the seven lakes of Rila and the absolutely excruciating Vihren peak. Everything was organised perfectly, the info packs were really detailed and useful, the GPS tracker never failed us, the accommodation was perfect and the hosts were SO welcoming and went the extra mile to cater for our dietary preferences (vegan) and made us feel so at home and helped make this an unforgettable trip. Can’t recommend enough, we had all the benefits of the trek with none of the faff. Thank you!” – Daisy, London
Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress, Western Balkans
One of the reasons why this hike is so utterly uplifting is because it takes place on the first day of our walking holiday in the Western Balkan Mountains. And the power of nature really does blow you away from the get go. It may sound like the name of a music festival, but the stage at Belogradchik Rocks is a collection of natural sandstone sculptures, carved over centuries into an A-List line-up of adventure trails. The hike begins at the hotel, which is in the town of Belogradchik, with just a quick stroll to the sprawling rock formation that stretches for 30km.
Leaving the town, the trail opens up to a wide meadow, called Panairishteto, and then continues through shady forest passing rocks that are given names such as Adam and Eve, or the Monks, all building up to the biggie – Belogradchik Fortress. This isn’t natural, however, but a stronghold that was constructed by the Romans within the natural rock formations. It has been in the hands of many forces since then, including the Byzantines, the Ottomans and Tsar Ivan Stratsimir, who was emperor of Bulgaria in the 1300s. Known locally as Kaleto, you can pay to visit it locally, or just continue along the trail through more rocks to a smaller fortification known as the Latin Fort, and then up some metal stairs to a colossal viewpoint of this Bulgarian beauty and, on a good day, all the way to the Serbian border.
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 3h
Bezbog Hut – Tevno Ezero Hut (2,512m), Pirin Mountains
This trek in the Pirin Mountains starts with a chairlift ride from Gotse Delchev Hut (1,485m), in the heart of the skiing area, up to Bezbog Hut (2,227m) which takes 20-30mins. After that bit of excitement, you start your hike up to Lake Tevno (2,512m) where you stay the night at Tevno Ezero mountain hut, on the banks of the lake. This walk is one that’s enveloped by craggy granite elevations, dotted with fir trees, and follows well-maintained paths and boardwalks over streams and boggy land. It’s vast and wide open, with a cooling waterfall when you need it and a perfect picnic stop en route at the glacial waters of Lake Popovo.
Continuing on through with some ascents and descents, you come to Samodivski Lakes, with a few more steep ones to finally arrive at the mountain hut on the shores of Lake Tevno. You’ll sleep well amongst those great peaks, where you start another giant hike the next day into the neighbouring valley where more glacial lakes and all round Pirin magnificence await.
Distance: 7.2km
Hiking time: 6h
Struilitsa Eco Path, Rhodope Mountains
Bulgaria walking holidays should always be accompanied by bathing Bulgarian style, making the most of its many thermal spas. And this gentle trek is part of one of our finest walking and spa holidays in the western Rhodope Mountains. So, although it may not be one of the country’s most challenging walks, it wins a place on our list of best hikes in Bulgaria because of its soothing route alongside the protected area of the Devinska River Valley.
Starting just near your hotel in the small town of Devin, you follow a circular river trail past Samodivsko Praskalo Waterfall, through pine, oak and birch forests that open out to some of the trip’s most spectacular views of the Rhodope Mountains. One of the most charming aspects of this tour is the collection of wooden bridges that cross the river, and boardwalks that cling to its river banks, giving it an almost Japanese garden feel. One other thing it has in common with the Japanese, is the bathing and spa ritual at the end of the day back in Devin.
Distance: 8km
Hiking time: 3-4h
Seven Rila Lakes (2,600m), Rila Mountains National Park
Although Rila Mountains National Park’s leading player is Mount Musala, the park’s seven Rila Lakes are colossal cameos that feature on our Rila and Pirin Mountains and Lakes holiday. They are in the Damski area of the Rila Mountains, and they create a collection of blue amphitheatres between Mounts Suhi Chal, Harаmiyata, and Otovishki at elevations of between 2,095 and 2,535m. Each of the Seven Rila Lakes is named to match its natural shape, such as Salzata, which translates as ‘the tear’ because of the clarity of its water making it look like a pool of tears – of joy that is. Or Okoto, meaning ‘the eye’ because of its perfect oval shape. On a day hike to the lakes, you start with a chairlift journey up to 2,100m which comes out at the Seven Lakes Mountain Hut. Then you have a trail around five of the great lakes, with an option to take fairly steep treks to the other two.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 7-8h
Canyon of Waterfalls, Rhodope Mountains
The day of this trek gets off to a good start, waking up at your mountain spa hotel in the Smolyan Lakes region of the Rhodopes, with a view of Mount Snezhanka (1,928m). From there you have a 20mins transfer to the start of the trail, which is part of Soskovche Reserve. This is a leisurely and luscious walk along a 7km trail that follows the Elenska River, crossing a total of 18 well-maintained metal and wooden bridges and following this cacophony of cascades as they tumble over smooth rocks. With over 40 waterfalls in the canyon, you also get to spots on the trail where you can grab views of Smolyan and beyond.
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 3h
“I thoroughly enjoy hiking the Canyon of Waterfalls trail near Smolyan in the Rhodope Mountains with my 9-year-old son because it offers a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and great views. The trail’s stunning waterfalls and lush greenery create a magical experience we enjoy. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to bond, explore nature, and learn about the local flora and fauna together. The hike fosters a sense of adventure and appreciation for nature in my son. Plus, the sense of accomplishment we feel upon completing the trail is incredibly rewarding.” – Yana Tudzharova, CEO at The Natural Adventure.
Mount Polezhan (2,850m), Pirin Mountains
Although Mount Vihren is the highest peak of Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains (2,914m) and you can summit it on most of our Pirin Mountains holidays, Mount Polezhan (2,850m) is possibly a more stunning trek. It starts with a chairlift journey to Bezbog Hut again which takes you up to 2,240m and then follows a fairly relaxed trail across heathland, atop ridges and then a tougher rocky climb to the peak. The views from the top are spectacular, as it overlooks 17 glacial lakes, including Popovo which is the largest, and three spectacular cirques. The return is on the same trail, back down in the chairlift where you can relax and take in the views of everything you have achieved along the way. You can hike to Mount Polezhan on our Rila and Pirin Mountains and lakes tour, and also our shorter Pirin Mountains walking break.
Distance: 8km
Hiking time: 6-7h
As well as bringing walking poles, you should also pack some binoculars on our best hikes in Bulgaria. Birding is big in Bulgaria and some of the beauties to espy include golden eagles, griffon vultures, peregrine falcons and kestrels. Meanwhile, if you’d like to take flight to Bulgaria, check out all our walking tours, as well as the following blogs: Bigging up our Balkan holidays, Everything you need to know about the Via Dinarica, Food in the Balkans and Meet the people who know the place: Katya in the Balkans.
