Overview
This five day self-guided Rila Mountains walking break is a deep dive into the dramatic peaks of the highest range on the Balkan Peninsula. On your trek to its highest peak, Mount Musala (2,925m) you can even see across the border into Greece. Although this is a short break, because you are centre-based, you have plenty of time each day to take on different walks, such as to the region’s spectacular Seven Rila Lakes, Zeleni Rid ridge and through the glacial wonders and pine forests of the Malyovitsa Valley. As well as to Mout Malyovitsa at 2,729m.
If you have more time and would like to spend more time walking in Bulgaria, we also recommend our Summits and lakes of Rila and Pirin itinerary.
- Rila National Park
- Malyovitsa Valley
- Seven Rila Lakes
- Mount Musala, the highest on the Balkan Peninsula (2,925m)
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Govedartsi
Once you arrive in Sofia, a transfer will pick you up from the airport and take you to the village of Govedartsi (approx. 1.5h), located in the foothills of the Rila Mountains, where you will be based for the next three days.
- Accommodation: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar
- Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Mount Musala (2,925m) | 6h
An early morning transfer will take you to Borovets, the oldest mountain resort in Bulgaria, from where you will get on a gondola to the Yastrebets area (the drive to Borovets takes about 30mins, and the gondola ride 30-40mins). Once you get off, you will be already above the treeline at an altitude of 2,369m, and you will see your goal for the day: Mount Musala 2,925m). Initially, you walk on a flat dirt road leading to Musala hut, located next to the Musala Lakes. After the hut, you start hiking on a rocky trail which passes by a couple of glacial lakes only to reach the most famous one, Ledeno Ezero. From the top of the mountain, in good weather, you can see as far as Greece to the south and the Danube River to the north. The way back is on the same trail. Take the gondola down to Borovets. A transfer will take you back to your guesthouse in Govedartsi.
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑↓ 700m, 6h
- Accommodation: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Mount Malyovitsa (2729m) | 7-8h
A short transfer (30mins) will take you to the start of your walk, Malyovitsa ski and mountaineering centre. Initially, you follow a river which will take you to the Malyovitsa Valley. You walk for about one hour through coniferous forest to reach Malyovitsa hut. Having passed the treeline, you head to the peak, ascending gradually. In 20-30mins you reach the main ridge of Rila Mountain and, looking south you will be able to spot the famous Rila Monastery (which you will visit on day five of your holiday). Continue on the main ridge, and very soon you reach Mount Malyovitsa. The way back is on the same trail. When you reach the ski resort, you will be picked up and transferred to Govedartsi village.
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑↓ 1,000m, 7-8h
- Accommodation: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Seven Rila Lakes (2600m) | 7-8h
In the morning, a transfer (1h 15mins) will take you to the Panichishte area. From here, you get on a chairlift which takes you to 2100m and the Seven Rila Lakes hut. Your circular walk around the glacial lakes starts from here. Each of the lakes is named after its own shape and characteristics: Lower, Fish, Trefoil, Twin, Kidney, Eye and Tear, the highest one being at an elevation of almost 2,600m. The trail will lead you past at least five of them, with the last two being a steeper trek if you choose to add them to your itinerary. From Vada hut, a transfer will take you back to your guesthouse.
- Walking for the day: 13km, ↑↓ 1,000m, 7-8h
- Accommodation: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, a transfer will take you back to Sofia airport or the city centre, and your Rila Mountain walking break will come to an end.
- Meals included: Breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
On our Rila Mountains walking break, you will be based in a charming family-run hotel with private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked the places we use and regularly monitor their quality. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
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Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Our Rila Mountains walking break includes four breakfasts and four dinners. For lunches, you will be able to shop from the local grocery shops before each walk or order a lunch pack from your accommodation (bookable on the spot).
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is appropriate for experienced walkers in good physical shape. The walks take an average of 7-8h per day with approximately 800-1,000m ascent/descent (read more about difficulty grades). None of the routes involves scrambling, and there are no sheer drops; still, most of the paths are steep and rocky, requiring sure-footedness. Most of the routes can be shortened in case you find them too difficult.
Most of the trails on the tour are well-marked and signposted, and we will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPX tracks and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
Our Rila Mountains walking break is available from late June until the end of September. The best time to go walking in Bulgaria is July and August. The trip departs each Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, although departures on other days are also possible (upon request), with some itinerary amendments.
The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, with an average of 200 days of sunshine a year. It is influenced both by the colder air coming from the north and the warmer breeze from the Mediterranean. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary but between June-September, the daily averages are 15-25C. Spring and autumn are pleasant, with cold nights and occasional rain and thunderstorms. High summer daytime temperatures are rarely too hot as even though temperatures can occasionally reach 30C, the mountains and forests remain cooler, dropping at night to 5-15C.
Getting there
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Our recommended airport for the Rila Mountains walking break is Sofia.
Note that if you book extra nights in Sofia before the holiday, the additional airport transfer to your Sofia hotel is not included, but the downtown is easily reachable by metro or taxi (20-30 min, 2-5 EUR pp).
Inclusions
Included
- 4 overnights in a small family hotel/guesthouse
- Meal plan as described in the itinerary (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
- All transportation as described in the itinerary
- Transfer Sofia Airport/city centre – Govedartsi
- Transfer Govedartsi – Sofia Airport/city centre
- Detailed route notes and maps (a digital copy, provided before the tour)
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tickets for the gondola in Borovets on day two (BGN15/ €8 person)
- Tickets for the chairlift to the Rila Lakes on day four (BGN12 / €6 per person)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Excursion to Rila Monastery on the last day (en route to Sofia)
- Extra nights during the trip
- Extra nights in Sofia before and/or after the holiday
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