Come and join a UIMLA guide on this 2-day snowshoeing trip in the gorgeous Rila National Park in Bulgaria.
Private
Rila Mountains
2 Days
Jan - Apr
High
Beginner
Let us invite you on a 2-day snowshoeing trip in the Rila National Park.
During this amazing snowshoe trek in the Rila national park, you will enjoy the stunning views of the Skakavitsa Waterfall and the Seven Rila Lakes, in the Northwestern face of Rila Mountains.
The Rila Mountain range is the highest mountain range in Bulgaria. In addition, it is the perfect place for hiking tours, climbing adventures as well as winter activities, such as skiing and snowshoeing.
The Rila Mountains region is very close to the capital of the country, Sofia. Therefore, any trip from there to the main trailheads of Panichishte or Malyovitsa would not take more than 1:30 hours drive. In Sofia you can also find several public transport options.
Please find a sample itinerary of the trip at the bottom of this description. This is the one I usually offer to my clients when they come for two days to the Rila National Park. Anyway, any item can be changed according to your wishes, technical level and expectations. All you have to do is contact us so that we can discuss and plan a custom program for you.
Although this snowshoe walking program in the Rila National Park is suitable for all levels, you must be well prepared. Therefore, we can suggest you bring the following equipment:
Proper winter hiking boots;
A pair of gaiters;
A windproof jacket;
Warm pants.
If you want to book this snowshoeing tour in the Rila National Park, please send us a request. As local leaders, we will be happy to guide you through a region that we love and know perfectly.
We also offer a single day Bulgarian snowshoeing tour in the beautiful resort town of Bansko.
The trek starts in the area of Panitshishte – Zeleni Preslop, accessible by car (1:30 hours from Sofia) or by public transport or taxi. Then, we will do a 1-hour trek to Skakavitsa Hut, where we’ll spend the night. By the afternoon we will enjoy a walk to Skakavitsa Waterfall (the biggest in Rila Mountains) all covered by ice in this time of the year. The total walking time for the day will be 3 hours with an elevation of 400 positive meters.
Today we will walk up to the Dry Ridge and further to the Kidney Lake (the biggest among the Seven lakes). Then, we will descend to Rila Lakes Hut and then, go down to Pionerska Hut (it is also possible to descend by a chair lift). The total walking time of the day will be 5 hours. The altitude change will be +500/-800 meters. Finally, we’ll visit the thermal pools in Sapareva Banya village on the way back. A great ending for this amazing trip.
More info
Participants should bring sun glasses, sunscreen and a sun hat, as well as a warm hat and gloves. Also don't forget to bring a water bottle, some snacks and a sandwich for lunch!
Meeting point
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
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.
Greta
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.
Greta
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