WalkingBulgaria

A classical trekking route in the most beautiful part of the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula - Rila Mountains. This is a combination of light walks in the forest covered area and demanding climbs in the rocky parts. You will experience both picturesque green valleys and beautiful granite alpine tops.

Highlights:
♦ Rila National Park - the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula
♦ Malyovitsa Peak (2729 m a.s.l.) – the alpine symbol of the Rila Mountains
♦ The Seven Lakes - an unforgettable view to a cirque with 7 glacial lakes, situated one above the other
♦ Rila Monastery - founded in 10th c., the most important Bulgarian spiritual center in the Middle Ages. Under UNESCO protection

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival to Sofia
Depending on the arrival time you can do some sightseeing in the city. 

Day 2. Borovets - Mt. Yastrebets - Mt. Musala - Borovets
The highest peak in Rila Mountains - Musala (2925 m a.s.l.), is the highest point in Bulgaria and in whole Balkan peninsula as well. Short transfer brings you to Borovets ski resort, where you take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala at the background leads you to Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foots of the peak. The view from the top is truly breath-taking – you can make out the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range.
Walking: about 6.30 h. Uphill/downhill: 650/650 m

Day 3. Govedartsi - Ovnarsko locality - Malyovitsa complex
The path from the village of Govedartsi to Malyovitsa complex passes through the forest area of the mountains with a gradual ascend, which is not too hard. Malyovitsa complex is a starting point for the most beautiful alpine part of Rila. There is a superb view from here to the symbol of this area - Malyovitsa peak. Overnight
Walking: about 4.30 h. Uphill/downhill: 600/0 m

Day 4. Malyovitsa complex - Elenino Lake - Malyovitsa peak - Malyovitsa complex
Today you meet a great physical challenge, but the reward for your efforts are the splendid panorama views from the top. In the beginning you climb a path via a coniferous forest to Malyovitsa hut. Then the terrain changes to an open and rocky area. You descend gradually, but soon the path becomes steep and passing by some rocky passages you reach Elenino Lake. One more climb to the peak. You descend the same way. Overnight.
Walking: 7-8 h. Uphill/downhill: 1000/1000 m

Day 5. Malyovitsa complex - Malyovitsa hut - Yonchevo Lake - Malyovitsa complex
The program for today starts with a light ascent to Malyovitsa hut, and then you come over a steep slope, covered with squat. After that the ascents become smoother, the trail passes by some ponds and ends at Strashnoto Lake (the Scary Lake). The lake is surrounded by the rocky pinnacles of Kupenite. The view is really impressive. You descend to Yonchevo Lake – a lower situated lake, which is not so “scary”. From here the trails crosses Gyolechitsa and Razhdavitsa ridges and ends at Malyovitsa complex. Overnight.
Walking: 6-7 h. Uphill/downhill: 800/800 m

Day 6. Malyovitsa complex - Vada hut - Lovna hut - Rilski ezera hut
Today you will walk to the most visited and most beautiful lakes in Bulgaria – the Seven Lakes. The route is not demanding and in the forest area mainly.
Walking: about 5 h. Uphill/downhill: 950/500 m

Day 7. Rilski ezera hut - Seven Lakes - Rila Monastery
On the last trekking day you will experience the highlight of this tour – the Seven Lakes and the Rila Monastery. You will climb up, from one terrace with a beautiful lake up to the next, until you reach the point, from where a superb panorama view to all the lakes is revealed. Then you start descending down a ridge, the final part of which is a steep descent to the Valley of Rilska River, where Rila Monastery is situated. Transfer to Sofia and overnight.
Walking: about 7 h. Uphill/downhill: 550/1500 m

Day 8. Departure

Luggage transportation - unnecessary luggage will be transported as follows:

►Day 2 from Sofia to Govedartsi (together with you)
►Day 3 from Govedartsi to Malyovitsa komplex
►Day 7 from Malyovitsa komplex to Rila Monastery and further to Sofia (together with you).

*Please note that on day 6 you will spend the night in a picturesque mountain hut, above the tree line, where luggage transportation is not possible.
*Bag weight – Please bear in mind that you will have to carry it, therefore keeping the weight down is essential.

We recommend trip in the period: June - September