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Waterfalls And Caves
Days 3 Distance 34 km Ascent 2342 m Descent 2261 m Difficulty level 3/5
Days 3 Distance 34 km Ascent 2342 m Descent 2261 m
This three-stage walk at the Western Rhodopes is a collection of three representative one-day walks. Each of them is devoted to different natural phenomena, studded on a small area around the town of Smolyan. They illustrate the variety of the Rhodopes nature as amazing waterfalls along a deep canyon, caves full of life and small springs, scattered on a meadow, that give the start of the biggest Rhodopes’ river-the Arda River. The accommodation is at guest-houses where you can experience the hospitality of the local people. They are hearty people and prepare delicious food for the guests, curious to try Rhodopes’ specialties.
What to expect:
Three different one day walks passing by peaks, ancient forests, green pastures, impressive canyon with many waterfalls and leading to beautiful caves.
To be leaded by experienced guide (if guided option is chosen);
To spend the nights at warm and cozy guest-houses;
Breakfast and dinner provided by the hut-keepers;
Trip Highlights
- A visit to the Waterfall Canyon near Smolyan town;
- A visit to the cave Golubovitsa, the cave Uhlovitsa and the cave Nadarska;
- A walk to the streams of river Arda. It is a panoramic and open-air walk with fantastic views to the nearby valleys and ridges;
-
The starting/finishing point Smolyan town is easily reached from Sofia and Plovdiv.
Trek Suitability
For those who want to join, should be:
- Fit and active traveller. Some of the trail's distances are big that makes the hike more challenging.
- Ready to spend 2 nights in mountain villages in guest houses. It is not a hut to hut hike, so you will hike with a one day light backpack.
- Walk 3 days (4-7 hours) up to 14 km each day.
Difficulty: The biggest part of the trails is a pleasant walk. The most difficult part is along the eco-trail Smolyan waterfalls canyon, as some of the wooden steps are very steep and walking on them requires a lot of attention, but none of them need of special equipment..
Accommodation: The guest houses are visited by many tourists. That’s why it is advisable to book a place in them. In the town of Smolyan there are guest-houses and hotels. There is no lack of choice- some of them offer traditional atmosphere, some are modern. On the event of a national holyday it is possible to be fully occupied and a booking of a room is a must.
Transport: To the starting/finishing point: The town of Smolyan is served by buses to/from the capital city of Sofia and the city of Plovdiv. But it is advisable to have your own car as the starting points are different each day and there is no regular public transport between them.
Security: The trail is totally secure. All parts of it are marked, but at some sections it is possible to miss. Also it crosses many dirt roads and shepherd’s paths that makes the navigation challenging. It is advisable to use some kind of GPS device. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.
Itinerary
Ask for more information here:
Prices per person for 3 days / 2 nights:
99 EUR per person /self guided trail
What Is Included In The Price:
OPTION |
SELF-GUIDED |
GUIDED TRIP |
Accommodation in the huts |
√ |
√ |
Detailed Itinerary |
√ |
√ |
GPS Track of your trail |
√ |
√ |
Time tables of public transport |
√ |
√ |
Taxi companies contacts |
√ |
√ |
Phone and e-mail assistance |
√ |
√ |
English speaking guide |
X |
√ |
Intermediate transfers |
X |
√ |
Meals and drinks |
X |
X |
Travel insurance |
X |
X |
Travel to and from Bulgaria
|
X |
X |
In Brief
RANGE
|
Active
|
TRIP TYPE
|
Self Guided Tour
|
STARTS
|
Smolyantown
|
ENDS
|
Smolyantown
|
DEPARTS
|
June - October
|
GROUP SIZE
|
Min 1 / Max 20
|
ACCOMMODATION
|
Common rooms
|
TOUR GUIDE
|
Yes/No - guided/self guided
|
MEALS |
Yes, against payment |
COUNTRY
|
Bulgaria
|
Book here:
The Prices Start From 99 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
Day1one
Start of the trip
Waterfall Canyon, Smolyan
Walk from the town of Smolyan to the Canyon of the waterfalls and back. It is a real delight for the waterfall lovers. After a long ascend along the valley of the river Gerzovitsa, the path enter the Soskovcheto nature reserve where the eco-trail Smolyan waterfalls canyon was set up recently. The trail winds up along the river deep in the ravine that once was wild and nobody could penetrate without special equipment. Today with the support of the many wooden steps, bridges and signs, the path gives the tourists the opportunity to see more than 46 waterfalls and strange rock formations. The path is circular and the second part leads you high above the river and provides panoramic views down to the waterfalls and toward the town.
Hiking stats
Overnight:
Day2two
Mogilitsa region
Mogilitsa region
Walk from the village of Mogilitsa to the cave Golubovitsa, the cave Uhlovitsa, the cave Nadarska and back to Mogilitsa. The village of Mogilitsa is 23 km far from the town of Smolyan. In the proximity of the village recently is set up a path that passes by the famous caves Golubovitsa, Uhlovitsa and Nadarska. They are not only beautiful and astonishing with their forms but also do they offer a real adventure: the Golubovitsa cave is a water cave and the transition is organised and supported by boats and special equipment, which are provided by local guides.
Hiking stats:
Overnight:
Day3three
End of the trip
Arda river
Walk from the village of Gorna Arda to the streams of river Arda and back. The village of Gorna Arda is several kilometers far from the village of Mogilitsa. This circular walk leads you to the start of the river Arda that is the biggest in Rhodopes and pours into the Aegean Sea in the neighboring Greece.
Hiking stats:
How the “Self-guided trip” option works:
If you prefer to explore the mountain at your own pace, than chose the option “Self-guided trip”. In this case we will provide you a package of materials, including a written hike description together with a customized travel itinerary, GPS tracks of your trail and local information. In order to make your independent hiking tour a success we will do all of the necessary arrangements. That is why the accommodations in the package are prepaid.
The prices start from 99 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
