Explore some of the most hidden and authentic parts of the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria during this trail walking holiday.
The Rhodope mountains are the perfect place for walking and exploring the pastoral scenery with rolling landscapes, valleys dotted with tiny villages, green meadows with flocks of goats and sheep, dense century-old coniferous woods, ancient Roman roads and bridges and a large variety of nature phenomena.
Some of the highlights of this walking holiday include Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria, Trigrad Gorge with its 250m vertical cliffs, Yagodina Cave and the Miraculous Bridges that are the result of an earthquake that made a huge cave in the marble bed of a river.
All transfers and luggage transport is taken care of, leaving you free to enjoy your walk through the amazing Rhodope landscapes.
Accommodation in the Rhodope mountains
On days 1 and 7 you will stay in 3 star hotels with en-suite bathroom/shower. The other days you will stay in small family-run pensions and guesthouses with en-suite facilities.
The holiday is offered on a half-board basis, with breakfast and dinner included. Only on day 7, dinner is not included.
Walking in the Rhodope Mountains
The Rhodope Mountains are probably one of the best places in Bulgaria for a self-guided walking holiday, not only because of the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage, but also because of the mentality of the local hoteliers, known for their hospitality and acquaintance to guests travelling without a guide.
You will receive detailed walk descriptions (road books) in England for the trail, and your luggage will be transported for you.
Rhodope mountains walking holiday itinerary
This Rhodope Mountains walking holiday itinerary will bring you to the area’s most scenic places and trails.
Day 1 – Arrival at Sofia airport, welcome meeting with your hosts and transfer to the town of Devin where you will stay the night (3-3,30hrs drive).
Day 2 – In the morning you will make your first walk in the Rhodope Mountains – a delightful trail following the new eco-path with a number of bridges along Devinska River, taking some 2 hrs. Having walked this stage you will be picked up and transferred to the entrance of Yagodina Cave, where you will have the opportunity to take a cave tour of appr. 1 hr and have lunch at the restaurant by the river nearby (be prepared for a temperature of 6C inside the cave). From the cave a short uphill walk brings you to a nice scented pinewood, followed by the traditional tranquility of Yagodina village. Right after the village you will be able to walk through a landscape of potato fields, barns, old farms, and a rich mosaic of land under cultivation, which delivers a thorough impression of the local agriculture. From now on following the upper edges of Trigrad Gorge the trail continues through shady coniferous forest to the village of Trigrad (1250m), where you will be accommodated for the next 3 nights. (5-6hrs of walking; 18km/11miles, climbing 700m/2100ft and descending 450m/1350ft.)
Day 3 – Trekking to the remote tiny village of Vodni Pad that has been closed for visitors until not so long ago due to its proximity to the Greek border. It has been famous in the past as a base used by many people trying to escape to Greece through the mountains during communism. This circular trail is well graded, again passing through pine forests dotted with glades, revealing the typical rural way of life in this part of the mountains. The return hike is a real pleasure as you follow the riverbed of Trigradska River back to the village of Trigrad. (5-6hrs of walking; 18km/11miles, climbing and descending 700m/2150ft.)
Day 4 – More charming landscapes await you today as you take a new circuit walk, exploring another magnificent area around Trigrad. Once on top of the hill above the village you will have a great chance to enjoy vast meadows full with orchids in summer. Then a dirt road, heading upstream of the Livadnishka River will bring you to the ancient Chairski Lakes. You continue clockwise around the hill and through the village of Zhrebevo before you end up in Trigrad. From here you can either continue to The Devil’s Throat Cave or just relax in your hotel. (5-6hrs of walking; 18km/11miles, climbing and descending 700m/2150ft.)
Day 5 – An early morning transfer takes you to Beden village which is the starting point for the day. While you walk your luggage will continue to your next overnight place – the village of Liaskovo, and will wait for you there. Today is probably the most panoramic day. As you walk up towards the Dry Peak ridge the trail weaves through rolling hills and meadows where you will find yourself facing a dilemma whether to enjoy them or the superb views of the mountains and the neighbouring ridges. The trek ends in Liaskovo. (6hrs of walking; 21km/13miles, climbing 800m/2400ft and descending 850m/2550ft.)
Day 6 – Another dirt road, where you can easily spot a startled deer, will take you up and then down to the rocky phenomenon The Miraculous Bridges. The walk traces old coniferous woods dotted with tiny green meadows, where semi-wild horses graze. Once arriving at the nature wonder you will be picked up and transferred to the village of Kosovo, where you will stay overnight in a traditional and cozy mountain stone house. (5-6hrs of walking; 18km/11miles, climbing 950m/2900ft and descending 550m/1650ft.)
Day 7 – After breakfast, you are transferred to Bulgaria?s second?largest monastery at Bachkovo where you may view the miracle?working icon of Virgin Marry. A transfer then takes you to Plovdiv to the starting point of the Free Plovdiv Tour (for 11:00), which will show you the main sites of interest of the Old Town, the center and the pedestrian area of the city. Time on your own until early afternoon in Plovdiv (time permitting) and transfer to Sofia in order to make it on time for the Free Sofia Tour, starting at 18:00 (similar service, meant to show you the most famous tourist attractions in the center of Sofia).
Day 8 – Departure after breakfast.
Dates and Availability
This Rhodope Mountains walking holiday is completely flexible and can start on any date, subject to accommodation availability, between mid-April and end of September. Single supplement is €85.-. Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form below, for more information.
