The highest peak in Bulgaria is Moussala (2925 m) in Rila mountains. Rila, Pirin and Vitosha mountains and the Balkan Range have a more distinct Alpine character. The Rhodopes mountains are lower and quite forested but still with many Alpine meadows. Sredna Gora mountains are hilly and mainly covered with trees. The weather is generally sunny and dry in July through September. The first snow comes as early as October and stays as late as June in the highest mountains. The best months for skiing are usually February and March.
All the mountains are easily accessible by public transport. A return train ticket is 25% cheaper than two one-ways. Express trains are only slightly faster than the 'fast' trains. Buses serve the remoter areas. Almost all paths are well marked with paint in three colours - white-another colour-white. The treeless trails are mostly marked with iron poles painted in yellow and black stripes and are easily navigable in winter or fog.
MAPS
Maps may be bought at the book market on Slaveykov Square in Sofia. If you need bigger choice and lower prices, take trams 5, 11 and 19 towards Knyazhevo district. Alight on Pavlovo stop and look backwards at the multi-storied office building on the other side of the traffic lights. The shop of Kartografia company, the Bulgarian map producer, is there. The maps are unfortunately not like the British Ordnance Survey. They are mostly in Bulgarian, not waterproof, and enormous to open and read especially in windy weather.
CHALETS
Usually no booking is required for the mountain chalets (hizhy), though some may be full around Christmas and New Year and also around the Students’ day on 8 December. In the summertime the more easily accessible and comfortable chalets may be booked for organized tourist groups. Still, the chalets' hosts and owners are obliged to never turn away tourists, especially with the night approaching. Be prepared to pay between 10 and 15 EUR per night, depending on the chalet and the quality of the rooms inside. Usually you'd get a bunk bed in a mixed room. Hot water and electricity are rarely available. Some high-mountain refuges have no hosts and are free of charge. Keep them clean!
CAMPING
Wild camping is forbidden in Rila, Pirin and Vitosha mountains, as they are national parks. Still, one may camp illegally there, provided no litter is left and no tent is pitched inside the reserve areas that dot those parks. Bulgaria is generally a safe country, but be on the alert in the big cities, when traveling on night trains, or when waiting at bus and train stations. People are very hospitable in the small villages, not so much in the touristy areas.
text and pictures by Konstantin Ivanov © 1993 - 2002
last updated Jan 20, 2002
