A UIMLA guide will lead you on a 4-day hiking journey through the Rhodopes mountain range of Bulgaria.
Private
Rhodope Mountains, Rila Mountains
4 Days
Jun - Oct
High
Beginner
The Rhodopes in Bulgaria is the largest mountain range in the country. And it is my intention, over the course of 4 exciting days, to guide you through as much of the area as possible. It is important to know that the mountains within the Rhodopes are just one part of why the area is so amazing. And while those mountains are a great part, there is a great deal more to see here. From the spectacular natural sights, to the small villages spread throughout, the area is simply amazing.
While the hiking time in the trip can be as much as 7 hours, the terrain is not too strenuous. Therefore, you don't have to be a expert hiker to enjoy this trip. However, because of the long hikes, participants should be in good physical shape.
While we have included a more detailed itinerary below, we would like to illustrate some of the highlights, both natural and man-made, you will get to see and enjoy during this 4 day hike through the Rhodopes.
Participants will get see the town of Devin, home to some wonderfully, comfortable thermal pools. They will get to see the Yagodina cave and gorge. There is also the Trigrad gorge and the Devil's throat cave. And all of that is just the first day!
Other highlights include:
The Perelik ridge
The Chairite lakes
The village of Mugla
Mount Karluk
The village of Gela
The Gela monastery
The Miraculous bridges
The Slivovdolsko Padalo waterfall
The Bachkovo monastery
As you can see, there is an abundance of amazing sights during this 4 day hike in the Rhodopes. From small local villages, where you can immerse into the Bulgarian culture, to natural sights that will amaze you, you will leave with many memories. So send us a request, and let us guide you.
We can also guide you on a 2 day hike above the seven Rila lakes and down to the famous Rila monestary.
The trip will start in the town of Devin. From there participants will take a 30 minute transfer to the Yagodina cave before walking for an hour to the Yagodina village. After that we will walk for 2 hours to the Trigrad area, where we will spend the night in either a hotel or guest house in the village of Trigrad.
Today participants will hike for approximately 6 hours from the village of Trigrad to the Perelik ridge area, where we will spend the night in a guesthouse in the small, remote village of Mugla.
Today participants will hike for approximately 6.5 hours while climbing to the top of the Perelik ridge. After that, we will climb Mount Karluk. And finally, we will make our way to the village of Gela, where we will spend the night in a local hotel.
On the final day participants will hike for approximately 2.5 hours from the Gela village to the village of Shiroka Luka, where you can catch a bus to Devin or Smolyan, the biggest town in Rhodopes, where you can catch a bus to either Plovdiv or Sofia.
More info
Participants should bring the following items with them: hiking boots, rucksack (35-45 Litres), trekking poles, water and windproof jacket, rain cover, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, warm hat and gloves, water bottle (1.5 Litres), travel liner (optional), torch, personal first aid kit.
Meeting point
5.0
(7)
Mountain Leader
I work as a mountain leader since 2006, both with individuals and larger organized groups, mainly English speaking.
Together with a group of colleagues we offer a wide-range of activities: hiking, trekking, rock climbing and mountain biking, snowshoeing, ice climbing, ski touring and off-piste skiing.
All our guides are certified, experienced and passionate about their job and will guide you with a smile and care through the wild beauty of the Bulgarian and the Balkan mountains.
Languages
Russian | English | Bulgarian
Certificates
UIMLA
Gaelle
Lyuben is a very good guide. More than a ski touring guide , he is a perfect travel organiser. We were a group of 4 Belgium guys around 50 to make the 4 days touring ski tour. He chose for us a very good family guesthouse, with very good food. He let us discover local thermal bath, traditional restaurant. About ski touring, Lyuben chose each day the best spot possible for the landscape and the snow adapted to the changing weather conditions. Time keeping was perfect. Zero stress for any situation. He has a comfortable car and does not hesitate to drive hours to bring us to the best area or to bring back us to the airport. Very friendly, super adaptive with us, I warmly recommend Lyuben.
Matt
Lyuben and Ivo were excellent. Communication was great. Lyuben helped us hire kit before arriving. Each day was great with a good variety or touring and excellent snow. thank you!
Lissi
Wonderful 9-day hiking in the mountains of Bulgaria and Greece. It was easy to book a trip through the Explore-Share page. They responded quickly, everything was fine and well organized. My whole 9 days were very well organized. Guide picked me up on Sofia's airport and on the 9th day guide taken me back to the airport. Everything in between was organized by Top Guides Bulgaria. The physical effort was great, but it was worth it, wonderful views and very good emotions. I met three guides - Lyuben, Ruslan and Moni. They were very nice and friendly and very good guides. They kept my pace when hiking the mountains and helped and taught me if it was necessary. I felt safe and supported all the time. The hardest part for me was the last part of Mt. Olympus, climbing to the top, it took self-transcendence and a big effort. I haven't been rock climbing before. I am proud to myself that I made it. I was able to do this thanks to Lyuben's support, help and teachings. I am very grateful to him. When hiking in the mountains, you must be prepared to walk up the hill for several hours, which is physically difficult. At this time, wonderful views and feelings gives strength and the will to move on. Guide Moni had taken with him binocular. So we saw the animals and the birds more closer and he had knowledge to talk about them. In the mountains guide Ruslan talked about myths, local culture and nature. On the last day we had the city tour in Sofia. Guide Ruslan introduced me the historical buildings and told many interesting stories about history. All of it was very interesting to listen. The program of the days was very well structured. On the 5th day I felt physically tired and would not have been able to go hiking in the mountains straight away again. According to the plan, came the time to rest: Greece beach, the return trip to Bulgaria, a walk in the beautiful town of Bansko. After that I felt rested and enjoyed hiking in the mountains again. On the evenings of hiking days, you can relax: a delicious dinners in local restaurants, nights in lovely hotels and mountain huts, you can go to a mineral water spa, local market, etc. I am very satisfied and happy about this 9-day trip. Everything was very good. I have great memories and wonderful pictures of it. I definitely want to go back there, at another time of the year: to ski in the winter or to see waterfalls in the spring. Also, I would be happy to use the services of Explore-Share and Top Guides Bulgaria again when hiking in other regions.
Alexander
A few words about the wonderful guide Kaloyan Peichev. He is a very responsible guide, a wonderful skier and a generous teacher, he has professional knowledge of mountains, snow, etc. and a very kind person.
Jane
Amazing trip..... 100% recommend this trip... Lyuben was both professional and friendly. We loved it. A great activity to do with a non-skier in tow.
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