WalkingBulgaria

History and geography have played role in making the Rhodopes (Rodopi mountains) in Southern Bulgaria, one of Europe’s most beautifully wild and fascinating regions, the birth place of the legendary Orpheus. Our days are spent on walks, through canyons, virgin forests and remote villages. We pass through some of the most spectacular parts of the Rodopi Mountains, namely; the Trigrad Gorge, the Devil’s Throat Cave, the Miraculous Bridges amongst others. The trail affords breathtaking views over high rocky cliffs, woods, alpine meadows and the tiny villages where you can observe Bulgaria at its best untainted by the influence of western society.

Highlights:
- Shiroka Luka - An architectural reserve hosting a bagpipe music school
- Gela - A small village at the foot of Rodopi highest peak: Golyam Perelik (2191m a.s.l.), considered the birth place of Orpheus
- Yagodina Cave is among the longest caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000 m mapped so far), one of the most spectacular
- The Devil's Throat Cave has its name from a legend. It tells that if you let something flow in the cave river it will never come out again. And there is one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m high;
- The Miraculous bridges - unique rock formation (about 40 m. high) covering an area of 40,3 hectares;
- Lyaskovo - stay with a local family, enjoy its hospitality and taste the local specialties
- Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery;
- The old town of Plovdiv - Europe's oldest inhabited city

Itinerary:

Day 1. Sofia - Devin - Trigrad 
Pick up from the hotel in Sofia and transfer to the city of Devin. Lunch in the town or around the open air mineral pool Struilitsa from where is our starting point for our afternoon trek. What follows is an easy but amazingly beautiful walk along a river with drinking water. Mild climbing to a peak with ruins from medieval fortress Kaleto. From there we continue to the Forest nymph waterfall where we can “have a shower” standing under its waters. On the way back we have an option to stay for about an hour in an open door mineral pool and a Jacuzzi, surrounded by the mountain. Transfer to Trigrad for dinner and overnight. (B/-/D) 
Walking distance: 6km; Uphill walk: 200m; downhill walk: 200m; walking time: about 3 hrs

Day 2. Trigrad - Chairski Lakes - Devil Throat Cave - Trigrad 
After breakfast we start walking toward the hut “Chairski ezera”. The hut is named after the seven lakes nearby formed by melting glaciers during the Ice Age. They are forming a poetic area, surrounded by mounts with ancient sanctuaries on top.  After lunch by the lakes (option for cooked food in the hut if opened), we have another few hours walking down the river where transport will wait for and drive us to The Devil's Throat Cave (last entrance at 5 pm). The cave waterfall is one of the highest in Europe; some 42 m a spectacular underground experience. It is believed that the cave is the entrance to Hades where Orpheus entered the underworld in search of his beloved Eurydice. Free evening in Trigrad. (B/-/D)
Walking distance: 21 km; Uphill walk: 300m; downhill walk: 500m; walking time: about 6,5 hrs

Day 3. Trigrad – Yagodina - Yagodina Cave – Gela 
This day starts with gentle 30-40 min. ascent North-West from the village to a forest trail leading into alpine meadows offering views over Trigrad Gorge. From the top of the gorge we shall follow the forest road toward village of Yagodina where we can have warm lunch in the hotel at the center. From there we continue for another hour to the spectacular Yagodina cave. Because of its beauty many couples chose the cave as a hall for their wedding rituals. Yagodina Cave is the longest known in the Rodhopi Mountains and, with its many abysses and labyrinthine tunnels, also one of Bulgaria’s deepest. The 45-minute tour highlights the remarkable stalagmites and stalactites, which resemble curtains, and mentions the Neolithic settlers who lived here 8000 years ago. After the cave tour -transfer to the village of Gela. (B/-/D) 
Walking distance: around 9 km; Uphill walk: 285m; downhill walk: 495m; walking time: about 4 hrs. + 1h in the cave

Day 4. Gela - Lednicata Hut - Peak Orpheus – Gela - Lyaskovo 
The day will start with a hike toward the Hut Lednicata, where we can have our lunch (option for a warm lunch if opened). After the hut we start climbing the second highest peak of Rodhopi Mountains – peak Orpheus. It offers a 360 degrees magnificent view. Following the path we will get back to the village of Gela where transport will wait and drive us to the village of Lyaskovo. On the way we will have a short stop in the village of Shiroka Luka – an open architectural museum. (B/-/D)
Walking distance: 18.5km; Uphill walk: 950m; downhill walk: 960m; walking time: about 6 hrs

Day 5. Lyaskovo - Beden - Lyaskovo
A short transfer will take us to the village of Beden from where we will start our day-trek. After a few hours walk via old pastures and beautiful views we will arrive in Lyaskovo village. We walk along old pastures and shepherd’s huts but nowadays on that trail we often meet wild horses or fresh bear tracks.  (B/-/D)
Walking distance: 15km; Uphill walk: 280m; downhill walk: 495m; walking time: about 4 hrs

Day 6. Lyaskovo - Miraculous Bridges - Sofia 
The day will start with a hike in the wilderness toward Miraculous Bridges, two natural bridges of solid rock rising up to 45 m, peacefully set among the pinewoods. After we reach our destination and make some pictures, a driver from Penguin Travel will pick us up. We will conclude our Rodhopi adventure with some cultural experience in Bachkovo monastery - one of Bulgaria’s architectural gems. After a quick sightseeing over the beautiful medieval monastery we shall continue to Sofia (3 hours drive). (B/-/-)  
Walking distance: 24km; Uphill walk: 900m; walking time: about 6 hrs

Recommended period of travel: May - October