Bulgaria - Tourism - Mountain Tourism
Mountain Tourism - Rila
Rila is the highest mountain in Bulgaria. The climate varies from
continental to transitional Mediterranean. The lowest average
temperature in the winter is - 11.6 C and in the summer is 5.4
C. Rila is devided into four main parts.
Eastern Rila
It is the highest part of the four. The highest peak is Moussala
( 2925 m. ) There are a lot of lake groups here. The highest lake
is here too - Ledenoto Ezero ( 2709 m. ).
Middle Rila
It is the smallest part of the mountain - only 9 % of the hole
area. The highest peak is Karaalanitsa - 2716 m. Middle Rila is
rich in glacial lakes. The biggest glacial lake is situated here
- Smradlivoto, with total area of 212 decares.
North-Western Rila
This part of Rila occupies 24% of the area. The highest peak is
Goliam Koupen 2731 m. Next is Malyovitza - 2730 m. Malyovitza
is the symbol of the bulgaian alpinism and mountaineering.
South-Western Rila
It occupies 30% ot the total mountain area. The highest peak is
Angel 2643 m. Here is one of the oldest biosphere reserves in
Bulgaria - Parangalitsa. Some of the biggest rivers in Bulgaria
spring out here.
Major hiking departure points
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is the most outstanding cultural monument in Bulgaria
from the Revival period. It is under UNESCO patronage as being
of an extraordinary significance for the world's culture. Hiking
routes starting from here are : to Ribni Ezara chalet (4 -5 h.),
to Macedonia chalet (5 h.), Ivan Vazov (5 h.) , 7 Rilski ezera
chalet (6-7 h.) , Malyovitsa chalet (6-7 h.).
Borovets
Borovets is 12 km. away from Samokov and 72 km. away from Sofia
.The resort is the oldest Bulgarian winter resort with a history
dating back to 1896. Today Borovets is one of the biggest and
most modern resorts in Bulgaria. Situated among beautiful pine
woods 1390 meters above the sea level (with highest ski runs at
2600 m)Borovets is a perfect place for relaxation and recreation
for the visiting tourists. There is a regular bus line to Samokov.
Hiking routes starting from here are : to Moussala peak ( 6 h.),
to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.30 h.), Chakur Voyvoda chalet (2.30 h.),
to Saragyol Palace (3 h.), to Maritsa chalet (4.30 h.).
Malyovitza
Malyovitsa is a small resort 27 km. away from Samokov and is connected
to it by a well-maintained road. There is a regular bus line to
Samokov and the nearby village of Govedartsi. Wonderful mountain
scenery can be seen from the Malyovitsa summit which is 2729 m.
above sea level. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Ivan
Vazov chalet (7 h.), to Ribni Ezera chalet (9-10 h.), to Rila
Monastery (6 h.), to 7 Rilski Ezera chalet (5 to 8 h. depending
on the route).
Other departure points are :
The village of Govedartsi - 14 km. away from Samokov. C Mechit
chalet (2 -2.30 h.) and Ovnarsko Tourist Base (2 h.). If you are
a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates and you want
to buy cheap bulgarian property Govedartsi has what to offer you.
You can buy and own property in this very beautiful area and enjoy
the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
Dolna Banya resort - 20 km. away from Borovets. There are routes
to Venetitsa chalet (2 h. ) and other routes around Eastern Rila.
If you are a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates
and you want to buy cheap bulgarian property Dolna Banya has what
to offer you. You can buy and own property in this very beautiful
area and enjoy the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
The resort of Kostenets is situated 9 km.away form the railway
station with the same name. There are routes to Belmeken chalet
(4 - 5 h.) and Gourgoulitsa chalet (1.3 h.). The resort of Youndola
is 16 km. away from Velingrad. There are routes to Kourtovo chalet
(3h.), Belmeken lake (4-5 h.). The town of Belitsa is a departure
point for the resort of Semkovo and Macedonia chalet (6-7 h.)
Sapareva Banya resort is 20km. east of Doupnitsa. It is a starting
point for the PAnichishte resort and from there for many routes
to different chalets - Pionerska, Lovna, Skakavitsa, Rilski Ezera,
Ivan Vazov, Malyovitsa and others. Sapareva Banya is the place
where you, if you are interested in real estates, can buy cheap
bulgarian property and thus fully enjoy the marvels of the beautiful
bulgarian nature.
Although there is no route setting out directly from Samokov,
this town is considered to be the entrance point of Rila. Hikers
pass through Samokov for the most popular areas of the mountain
- Borovets, Moussala peak, and Malyovitsa.
The major Bulgarian mountains are:
