Basic information about Bulgaria
Bulgaria is located in south-east Europe and has much more to offer as a holiday destination for those looking for relaxation than just the popular golden sands of the Black Sea. In the interior of the country you will find a pristine landscape and well-developed hiking trails, characterised by mighty mountain ranges, rivers, fertile plains, waterfalls and imposing canyons. So it is no wonder that Bulgaria is located in the Blue Heart of Europe. The south of Bulgaria is characterised by mountain ranges – several peaks reach a height of over 2,000 metres. The excellent network of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty ensures a high degree of variety for all exercise-hungry hiking fans. Overall, Bulgaria is home to three national parks: the Rila, Pirin and the central Balkan mountains. There are also eleven nature parks and 55 nature reserves. The country can be divided into four landscape zones: the lowlands of the North Bulgarian Plate, the Balkan mountains, the Central Bulgarian Basin and the Thracian mountain range in the south with the Rila and Pirin mountains. Are you ready for an active adventure in the middle of a peaceful landscape with intact natural oases and imposing mountain landscapes?
Rila & Pirin Trekking
A particularly demanding but at the same time impressive active break awaits you on our hiking holiday Rila & Pirin Trekking, 8 days in Bulgaria. In eight days and six stages you will explore the pristine mountain world in the south-west of the country with magnificent national parks, glacial lakes, alpine landscapes and the peaks in the Rila and Pirin mountains. The starting point of this trekking tour is Govedartsi in the Rila mountains and from there on the first day you head straight up to the Musala summit, which at 2,925 metres is the highest mountain in the country and is located in the Rila National Park. The next day is no less spectacular: your route takes you to the wonderful mountain basin of the seven Rila lakes – including a wonderful panorama.
Two intensive hiking stages are followed by a day to relax and visit cultural sights such as the Rila Monastery. You leave the Rila mountains behind and on the fifth day of your hiking tour you hike the Polezhan, at 2,851 metres and the fifth highest peak in the Pirin moutains. The following day the trekking tour takes you to the mountain basin of the Banderishki Lakes and finally through the Yulen nature reserve. On your last and particularly spectacular stage, you can look back on the trekking tour: after climbing the Wichren in the Pirin mountains, an unforgettable, beautiful view of the entire mountain world of Bulgaria awaits you.
Our Eurohike moments in Bulgaria
- Summit of the Rila mountains: A particularly alpine highlight awaits you at the beginning of your trekking holiday. You go high up to the highest mountain in the country at 2,925 metres – the summit of Musala.
- Time for culture in the Rila mountains: The fourth day of your trekking tour is all about culture. On the way to the Pirin mountains you have the opportunity to visit the Orthodox Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and at the same time the largest and oldest monastery in the country.
- Hungry in Bulgaria: After a demanding stage on the Polezhan, at 2,851 metres the highest peak in the Pirin Mountans, enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine at the Gotse Delchev Hut or the Bezbog Hut. Experience this on the fifth da of your hiking holiday Rila & Pirin Trekking, 8 days.
Facts and details
- Location: In the east of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Borders with Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Turkey and Greece to the south and the Black Sea to the east.
- Area: 110,994 km²
- Population: 7 million inhabitants
- Capital: Sofia with approx. 1.23 million inhabitants
- Official language: Bulgarian
- Highest mountain: Musala in the Rila National Park at 2,925 metres
- Coast: 353 km of coastline
- Islands: 81 islands
- Season: The best climate for hiking holidays in the Rila and Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria is from June to September
- Special Feature: On the hiking holiday Rila & Pirin Trekking, 8 days you will experience two impressive mountain landscapes in Bulgaria, the Rila and Pirin mountains.
Climate in Bulgaria
As with the landscape, there are also significant regional differences with regards to the climate in Bulgaria. North of the Balkan Mountains there is a continental climate with dry, hot summer months and cool and snowy winter periods. In the south of the Balkan Mountains, on the other hand, there is a Mediterranean climate with maritime influences. The summertime there is warm, the winter is moderate and the spring is rainy. The east of the country is characterised by the transition to the coastal climate. Especially in the summer there are ideal hiking conditions in the mountains, with the climate in the southwest taking on Mediterranean traits. The mountain ranges in particular have a very strong influence on the climate.
Culture and tradition in Bulgaria
Folklore plays an essential role in Bulgarian cultural history. These include, for example, folk songs, which are still popular today with their diverse lyrics and rhythms. In addition, there is the important custom of choral singing and both the state choir and numerous women’s choirs in Bulgaria have become internationally known for this local style of music. The Bulgarian dances in groups or individually, play an equally important role and are accompanied by various typical musical instruments such as the shepherd’s flute the Kaval or the string instruments Gadulka or Gusla. The early summer fire dancers dance daringly on hot coals with images of saints on their heads. Every year at the beginning of spring on March 1st, it is a popular tradition to give away small red and white pendants or bracelets – so called Martenizas. These are meant to bring happiness to the recipient. Did you know that in Bulgaria nodding the head is considered a negative and shaking the head is considered an affirmation?
Bulgarian cuisine
From a culinary point of view, the dishes in Bulgaria are assigned to the Balkan cuisine, which has been shaped for centuries by the oriental and Mediterranean influences of the surrounding countries. Nevertheless, Bulgaria has developed an independent character in the kitchen and offers particularly tasty delicacies to choose from. These include typical dishes such as Gjuwetsch, a Bulgarian casserole, Schopska salad with tomatoes, cucumber and onions and brine cheese, the Kavarma, a dish with vegetables and meat and cooked in a clay pot is reminiscent of Turkish and Greek cuisine. Other delicious dishes are Skumrija, a grilled mackerel and an absolute classic in Bulgaria, as well as the Baniza dessert, a filled puff pastry. Bulgarian yoghurt is internationally known and sold as far away as Japan. A particularly popular drink in Bulgaria is the Boza, a light alcoholic, sweet and sparkling beer with a thick, brown consistency.
We offer our Eurohike hiking holidays in Bulgaria from June to September. During this period, the country’s pristine nature is best explored by foot.
For mountain lovers, the Rila and Pirin mountains are particularly suitable for a hike. On our trekking tour Rila & Pirin Trekking, 8 days we have combined exactly these two national parks in a wonderful active holiday.
Bulgaria offers its visitors a diverse range of delicious dishes that have been shaped by the cuisine of the surrounding countries. The most popular dishes include, for example, the Schopska salad, Kavarma which is cooked in a clay pot, the Baniza dessert or the Boza, a light, sweet sparkling beer. You should also try the Bulgarian yoghurt – it’s sold as far away as Japan.
The Musala in the Rila National Park is the highest mountain in Bulgaria at 2,925 metres.
The Rila Monastery is located in the Rila mountains. You have the opportunity to visit this on the fourth day of the trekking tour. The Rila Monastery is the largest and oldest monastery in Bulgaria and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On our hiking holiday Rila & Pirin Trekking, 8 days you can expect particularly beautiful hikes, mountain tours and summit routes. Since you are hiking in the high alpine area, hiking experience, sure footedness, a very good physical condition and a head for heights are prerequisites. Our Eurohike travel specialists will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Eurohike hiking holidays with luggage transfer
A colourful and varied landscape as far as the eye can see – this and much more awaits our hiking guests on our multi-faceted hiking holidays across Europe. With our Eurohike WanderPlus you are always perfectly cared for and thanks to the detailed travel documents you will always be on the right path. Our Eurohike travel specialists have a lot of expertise and know-how to ensure that your hiking tour becomes the perfect active experience in nature. Warm advice before your tour, the personal support on-site during your hiking holiday, the detailed travel documents, cosy hotels and inviting accommodation, as well as the reliable luggage transfer – all these services are part of your booked hiking holiday with Eurohike. You can also reach our team on the service-hotline during your tour.
- Read more about why a hiking holiday with Eurohike is the perfect form of active travel!
