Winter trekking in Bulgaria
The winter trek in Bulgaria explores the Rila Mountains, a largely untouched world of alpine summits, snowy ridges, deep forests, glacial lakes and panoramic views. The trip is perfect for small groups looking for a challenging alpine walking holiday in an unusual part of Europe, ending with a climb on Bulgaria’s highest peak, Mount Musala (2925 m).
Overview
The winter trek in Bulgaria explores the Rila Mountains, a largely untouched world of alpine summits, snowy ridges, deep forests, glacial lakes and panoramic views. The trip is perfect for small groups looking for a challenging alpine walking holiday in an unusual part of Europe, ending with a climb on Bulgaria’s highest peak, Mount Musala (2925 m).
The best months for our winter tour of the Rila mountain range in Bulgaria are traditionally February and March when the days are getting longer. We offer open dates and tailormade dates for private groups. The trip is challenging and suitable for people with mountain experience in winter conditions.
What Our Adventurers Think:
Mark and I had a great time, we are very grateful to Stoyan and the Adventure Alternative team for their organisation of this trip. Mark and I got sick on the Sunday but Stoyan was able to amend the itinerary so we were able to recover all day before our last day up in the mountains. The accommodation was great throughout, it was varied and comfortable, we’re just sorry we didn’t get the night in the hostel at the edge of the lake but I couldn’t have gone up a flight of stairs that day never mind a mountain! Our driver Nikkolai was super too, very helpful and very professional. It was my sons toughest ever challenge so I was very proud of him. I would heartily recommend this trip, it’s a week-long and every day is filled with wondering views and challenges – and great food and wine! Whenever Stoyan eventually makes it over to Northern Ireland, let me know because Mark and I would love to meet up YIT (yours in travel!) Peter Jack
Winter trek in Bulgaria detailed programme
Arrive at Sofia airport where you will be met by your guide and transfer to a picturesque family hotel deep in the forests of the Rila mountains. Short briefing about the trip, dinner and overnight.
Start the day off by hiking towards the Seven Rila Lakes, a vast cirque surrounded by jagged peaks that reach 2,700m in altitude. This area offers some of the most impressive views in Bulgaria and as we trek up to the fifth lake (the Kidney) we start to acclimatise to the conditions and terrain of the Rila Mountains. The descent is along a panoramic ridge with views to the impressive frozen vertical walls of the cirque. Lunch will be a picnic and in the afternoon we’ll continue our descent to the beautiful frozen Skakavitsa waterfall (biggest waterfall in the Rila Mountains – 64m) before continuing back to the same family hotel we stayed in on day 1. Today is on easy terrain, usually covered with a lot of snow. There are no rocky sections, exposed ridges, or steep ascents / descents and more than half of the route is in forest. Expect to enjoy a day of picturesque scenery and beautiful views.
Winter ascent of Mount Malyovista (2,729m) via each of the Seven Lakes and the high pass of Razdela (2,600m), which is easily one of the best viewpoints of the entire Rila mountain range. From the summit we’ll drop down in to a nearby valley where accommodation will be provided in another family hotel located in the dense pine forests of the lower slopes.
Although shorter, today is more technical as we ascend to the so-called ‘Scary Lake’ (2,462m), located at the foot of the Rila Range’s most popular alpine climbing peaks. The views from the lake and the nearby hut are breath-taking. Our descent is via the alluring Yonchevo lake and on to the same hotel as the previous night.
Today is the most technical day through the rockiest part of the mountains. We’ll start with an ascent to the BAC (Bulgarian Alpine Club) hut before continuing on to the so-called ‘Evil Gate’ – a pass situated between the most challenging summits of the range. From here we’ll make a call on the climb of Mount Orlovets (2,685m) depending on the ability of the team and the weather on the day, it may be an option that some of the team rest at the saddle while more experienced winter climbers push for an ascent before descending back to our accommodation in the forests of the lower slopes.
A less challenging day after what will have been three intense days. We’ll start with a pleasant hike through the forests in the lower parts of north-west Rila and more gentle Lakatishka mountain, where we can enjoy the best views towards the alpine summits of Rila. In the afternoon we visit the open air hot mineral springs at the nearby village of Belchin before returning back to Malyovitsa valley and the same accommodation for dinner and overnight.
A 30 minute transfer to the Borovets ski resort in the early morning before taking a gondola life for 40 minutes on the higher slopes of Mount Musala and our final summit of the tour. Mount Musala (2,926 m) is the highest peak in Bulgaria and offers panoramic views of many glacial lakes, mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks across the mountains in Rila National Park and indeed the entire Balkan peninsula. After our summit we’ll return to Borovets ski resort with the gondola and drop down to the town of Samokov for our final night.
After breakfast we transfer back to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria for departures.
There is an option for extra days in Bulgaria, contact us for further information.
Ready for an Adventure of a Lifetime?
Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £200.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.
Fixed Itineraries
| Start Date | End Date | Days | Price (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/02/2025 | 15/02/2025 | 8 | £1,445.00 | Book Now |
| 25/01/2025 | 01/02/2025 | 8 | £1,445.00 | Book Now |
