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Steneto Reserve
Days 3 Distance 40 km Ascent 3022 m Descent 3102 m Difficulty level 3/5
This extraordinary walk in the heart of the Central Balkan National Park is dedicated to the astonishing Steneto Nature Reserve. It is one of the nine nature reserves in the boundaries of the park and arguably the most beautiful. At the same time, not many people know about it. It looks like as if it is a well-kept secret. Being inaccessible from almost all direction but one, Steneto is a refuge of many rare animals and plants. The background of this real wilderness is a deep canyon with 200 m high rock walls. They are studded with caves and rock phenomena while at the abyss bottom the river Cherni Osam sparkles and form beautiful waterfalls. As the only entrance of the path through this paradise is from the hut Dermenka, you need to spend one more night and to go backward and forward by the reserve.
What to expect:
Three-day hike in the Central Balkan National Park;
To be leaded by experienced guide (if guided option is chosen);
Easy orienting (for the self-guided option);
To spend the nights in a warm and cozy hut;
Breakfast and dinner provided by the hut-keeper.
Trip Highlights
- A walk and two nights in the area of the Central Balkan National Park;
- A visit at Steneto Reserve, the second largest Reserve in the Central Balkan National Park;
- The ending point of the walk is helped by a chair-lift.
Trek Suitability
For those who want to join, should be:
- Fit and active traveler. Part of the trail is over rocky terrain that makes the hike more challenging.
- Ready to spend 2 nights in the heart of the mountain.
- Walk 3 days (4-8 hours) up to 18 km each day over a roughs ground.
Difficulty: Intermediate. The path has some steep parts up and down. The length of the walk last day is 18 km. The walk is helped by the chair-lift Sopot Lakes that saves you 1000 m descending.
Accommodation: The hut Dermenka is well-maintained; the hut-keeper offers food and beverages. The hut is frequently visited, so you need to book the beds in advance.
Transport: The area is easily reachable from the capital city Sofia - connected by train and buses with the towns of Karlovo, Kalofer and Sopot.
Security: The trail is totally secure. It is along well marked paths. Nevertheless, we recommend the using of a navigation application on the mobile phone or a real GPS device. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.
Itinerary
Ask for more information here:
Prices Per Person For 3 Days/ 2Nights::
89 EUR per person in the self guided option
What Is Included In The Price:
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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 |
√ |
Luggage transfer |
X |
X |
Meals and drinks |
X |
X |
Travel insurance |
X |
X |
Travel to and from Bulgaria
|
X |
X |
In Brief
RANGE
|
Active
|
TRIP TYPE
|
One Hut Stay Tour
|
STARTS
|
Karnarevillage
|
ENDS
|
Sopot town
|
DEPARTS
|
May - November
|
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 89 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
Day1one
Start of the trip
Karnare Village - Dermenka hut
Walk from the Karnare village to the hut Dermenka. The path is going up gently to the main crest of the mountain. From this point to the hut, the terrain is mild and grassy, without any substantial ascending and descending.
Hiking stats
Overnight:
Day2two
Dermenka - Steneto reserve
Dermenka hut - Steneto reserve - Dermenka hut
Walk from the Dermenka hut along the path through the Steneto Reserve. It sets off with a long drop along the steep slope for 1hour and 30mins through an ancient beech forest. When the path reaches the place where Suhata River and Kumanitsa River joint to form the river Cherni Osam, it calms down into a flat walk along the Canyon of Cherni Osam River to the area Kiselitsata (960m). Here the path ends and a road, which is leading to the Village of Cherni Osam, starts. At that point you should turn back on the same way to Dermenka Hut (1520m).
Hiking stats:
Overnight:
Day3three
End of the trip
Dermenka - Sopot town
Walk from the hut Dermenka to the Sopot village by the hut Dobrila. It is a pleasant forest walk along the main crest of the mountain. All the way to the hut Dobrila provides a good panorama to the Ambaritsa peak Dobrila hut is a nice spot for a rest before the drop to the town of Sopot.
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 89 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
