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Autumn in the Central Balkan National Park
Days 3 Distance 31 km Ascent 1830 m Descent 1955 m
There are three reasons to love this walk:
- It is in the heart of a forest reserve with unique combination of trees;
- The huts are ones of the best and welcome huts in Bulgaria;
- The starting and finishing points are easily reached from Sofia and Plovdiv.
This walk is located in the middle of Bulgaria on the southern slopes of the Central Balkan National Park. It combines amazing autumnal colours, nights in cozy huts and delicious food. We have chosen for you this three-day walk because it is full of variety: The first day is along a ridge above the Balkan town of Sopot. The second day is a traverse beneath the alpine main spine of the mountain. All the day you can contemplate not only the rocky peaks but also the forests from above. The third day is along the Stara Reka River, area that was designated as a reserve in 1981 to preserve the unique eco-system! The finishing point is the historical town of Karlovo.
The first night we offer you to spend in the hut Dobrila, arguably the best organized and maintained hut in Bulgaria. The restaurant in the hut welcomes the visitors with delicious food. Also if the walks up are not your cup of tea, you can use the close-by lift to help you to reach the hut easier.
The second night is in the hut Vasil Levski, with its typical old mountain architecture. It is well maintained and offers hot food to the tourists.
Both towns, Sopot and Karlovo, are reachable by train and bus from Sofia and Plovdiv.
- Difficulty: The trails are in or close to the tree line of the mountain. This means that there are no steep rocky ascends and descends.
- Accommodation: The huts are cozy and well-maintained.
- Transport:
- To/from the starting/finishing point: To the starting point/from the finishing point: The towns of the Karlovo and Sopot are connected by buses and trains from the capital city Sofia.
- Security: The trail is totally secure. All parts of the trail are marked. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.
Self-guided tour*
The prices start from 99 EUR
Book your Trip Here
Our self guided packs offer you maximum flexibility and often a flexible choice of departure dates. A self guided holiday epitomises the philosophy of exploring the mountains your way at your pace.
On all our self guided excursions we’ll provide you with detailed route descriptions, maps and local information so you can plan your own day everyday. We’ll also make hut reservations for you. All you need to do is enjoy your hiking holiday with the comfort of knowing that you have adequate time to explore and comfortably savour the sights and delights of the mountain region.
The Pack Includes
• Detailed Itinerary
• GPS Track of your trail
• Nights' accommodation in the huts
• Tourist map of the mountain (per post)
• Hut Contacts
• E-mail assistance
• Phone assistance
• Time tables of local public transport
• Local taxi companies contacts
The Pack Does Not Include
• Travel to and from Bulgaria
• Organised luggage transport from hut to hut
• Meals
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tour guide – this is a self guided trip
• Local transfers
• Travel insurance
*Self Guided Tour
A note on our self guided adventures
Self guided walking requires individuals to possess problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!). Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking for help is all part of the adventure. If you’ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. Lately the GPS devices came to help the tourist. We prepare and send you a file with your trail so you can upload to your device. Though the GPS satellite data is free and works anywhere in the world, still the devices are expensive and not every one can afford it. More often tourists use their mobile phone with an GPS application. Sometimes in the Mountain you won’t always get a signal or proper speed internet connection. That’s where offline hiking apps come in handy. After uploading the digital trail, you can use it whenever and wherever you need it. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again.