Booking your trip
EU + 359 887223005
UK + 447 537166165
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.
Boatin Reserve
Days 4 Distance 38 km Ascent 1974 m Descent 1471 m
This impressive walk in the Central Balkan National Park passes through one of the nine natural reserves in the boundaries of the park- Boatin Natural Reserve. It was established in 1948 year to protect rare plants and animals. What attracts the tourists is possibility to walk in this wild paradise of an area of 1597.2 hectares, covered with outstanding beech forests in the Balkan Peninsula at an average age of 170-220 years. The picturesque landscape distinguished by a huge diversity. Here can be seen all the attractive features of the park: the ancient forests, narrow rocky ridges, deep gorges, high-mountain pastures, and grassy saddles that separate the domelike peaks. The part of the trail that offers perfect panoramas is along the main mountain crest. It is a section of the E3 European long-distance walking route..
Day 1: Walk from the town of Pirdop to the hut Paskal. It is a gentle hike through a forest and the hut is a good base for the next day that is more prolonged compared with the beginning.
Day 2: Walk from the hut Paskal to the hut Momina Polyana. This is a scenic walk along the main crest of the Mountains. Once on the ridge, you can glimpse the hut Momina Polyana that is beautifully settled on the northern flank of the summit Kartala.
Day 3: Walk from the hut Momina Polyana to the hut Benkovski. It continues along the course of the main ridge. The path skirts the borders of the Boatin Natural Reserve.Day 3: Walk from the hut Benkovski to the town of Koprivshtitsa. The path traverses a narrow rocky ridge of rugged limestone and is known among the tourists as «The Koncheto of Stara Planina» as it reminds of the most famous ridge-walk Koncheto in the Pirin Mountains. On its way down the path reveals another surprise- the gorge of the river Vartopa. According to the legends this deeply cut into the cliffs valley keeps its secrets of the hidden treasures that were buried at this inaccessible places.
Self-guided tour*
- Difficulty: Despite the fact that there are some rocky parts along the path, it is a pleasant walk in summer. It could be classified as «easy» if there aren’t steep parts during the second and the last days.
Accommodation: Accommodation: The huts are cosy and well-maintained. During the high season they are not the most frequently visited, but still it is recommended to book the beds in advance. - Transport:
- To the starting point:There are many buses and trains that connect the town of Pirdop with the capital Sofia.
- From the finishing point: The path finishes around 3.5 km far from the train station of Koprivshtitsa. It can be walked in one hour. You can order a taxi instead of walking. There are trains that connect Koprivshtitsa town with the city of Sofia.
- Security: The trail is totally secure. All parts of the trail are marked. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.
Book your Trip Here
*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.