Booking your trip

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UK + 447 537166165

our email address
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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

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.
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Peeshti Skali and Sokolna Reserves

 

Days 3   Distance 40 km   Ascent 3091 m   Descent 3279 m

This trail examines the eastern part of the Balkan National Park. It has a lot to offer to the nature-lovers as it encompasses some of the most spectacular and craggy landscape of the whole park. In addition it goes through two natural reserves- the Peeshtite Skali (Singing Rocks) and Sokolna. They are two of the nine nature reserves in the boundaries of the park, designated to preserve unique plant and animal species in Bulgaria. These reserves are very intriguing with their strange rocky outcrops that are full of wildlife. The trail also includes part of the E3, the international long-distance walking route. 

Day 1: Walk from the Apriltsi town to the hut Tazha. The path starts off from Ostrets, a neighbourhood of the town of Apriltsi. It climbs up the beautiful rocky peak of Rusalka. The attraction of the path is on the views towards the vertical northern slopes below Botev Peak and the main spine of the Balkan. The rest is a pleasant descend to the hut Tazha.
Day 2: Walk from the hut Tazha to the hut Mazalat. This section of the trail follows the main ridge of the mountain. The first part is a pleasant walk through grassy meadows, while the second part leads trough the Peeshtite Skali Reserve. They are a complex of not so high cliffs with sheer vertical southern flanks above the deep valley of the river Gabrovnitsa. On them are perched many rocky outcrops with different shapes that tourists like to compare with animal or human figures. Next comes a rocky wreath of several pyramidal peaks just before the beautiful glade in front of the hut Mazalat. North of the shelter is situates the Severen Dzhendem Reserve.
Day 3: Walk from the hut Mazalat to the village of Gabarevo. One fantastic option to walk to the area of the Sokolna reserve is along the side ridge Tankata Ratlina. It offers unforgettable views towards the mighty Triglav massive, a sequence of three summits with height over 2000m. The next part is trough the Sokolna Reserve, which is one of the natural gardens of Bulgaria, a refuge for a lot of rare and endangered plants and animals. The scenery is dramatic: craggy rocks above the gorge of the river Kuru Dere, but the path is steadily cut into them and is a perfect observation platform. Eventually you reach the village of Gabarevo. 

Self-guided tour*

  • Difficulty: The trail involves some of the most tiresome and prolonged walks in the mountains. Due to this fact, the perfect shape and experience are obligatory.
  • Accommodation: The huts are cosy and well-maintained. During the high season they are the most frequently visited, that’s why it is a must to book the beds in advance.
  • Transport: 
    • To the starting point: The town of Apriltsi is connected by buses with the capital city Sofia. 
    • To the finishing point:The village of Gabarevo is a train station on the train line that connects the capital Sofia with the city of Bourgas, which is located on the Black Sea coast.
  • Security: The trail is totally secure. All parts of the trail are marked. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.  
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*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.