Rodopi Mountains Hiking Escape

We meet at Sofia Airport (Terminal 2) and transfer to the remote village of Yagodina – our base for the next six nights. At around 6.30pm we gather with our tour leader and fellow travellers – and say zdraveite – for introductions and a briefing on the days ahead, followed by a warm welcome dinner. If you would like more time in Sofia, you can arrange extra nights before the tour.

Our first day in the mountains features two contrasting walks. After breakfast, a drive of about 20 minutes brings us to Kastrakli Nature Reserve for a hike through a deep gorge and forest, renowned for orchids, butterflies and Balkan chamois. In the afternoon, a drive of about 30 minutes takes us to Chala, where we follow a broad grassy ridge with sweeping views towards Yagodina before descending steeply into the Buynovo Gorge to meet our bus for a final ride of about 10 minutes back to the hotel.

A drive of about 30 minutes up the Buynovska Reka valley brings us to Buynovo to begin our walk along the frontier with Greece. Today we roam mountain meadows and forests in a tranquil region frequented by wolves, bears, wild boar and red deer, and home to elusive birds such as capercaillie and hazel grouse. Along the way we pass remnants of the former border fence and traces of bunkers – stark reminders of the Cold War era when this was the Zone of Death – and learn more about this chapter of Bulgarian history.

After breakfast we drive for about 1 hour 30 minutes east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains, then set off on a wonderfully panoramic hike along the main ridge. We skirt below the military base near the summit of Golyam Perelik (7,188 ft/2,191 m) before ascending Karlak (7,178 ft/2,188 m). After savouring the sweeping views from the open pastures, we descend into the forest for a long, steady drop to the pretty village of Gela – reputed birthplace of Orpheus – to rejoin our bus for the return to Yagodina.

We set out from the hotel on a full day bear and wolf tracking walk, exploring the patchwork of meadows and forests around Yagodina – prime habitat for brown bears and grey wolves. As we go, we search for tracks and other signs, learn about their ecology and behaviour, and hear about local conservation work and the realities of living alongside large carnivores.

We continue the Orphic thread with a remote walk to the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary where Orpheus is said to have met his end. The route feels wonderfully secluded, and we share the landscape with wolves and deer while the eerie calls of black woodpeckers often echo through the trees. The forests are rich in birdlife, including hazel grouse, nutcrackers, crossbills and crested tits.

After breakfast and farewells to the hotel team, we set off on foot for a short yet spectacular finale. We wander through village meadows, then follow a narrow, rocky path that skirts the flank of Mount Sveti Iliya, passes a cave and crosses scree slopes home to an increasing population of Balkan chamois, before descending into the depths of the Buynovo Gorge. The scenery is breathtaking, though the trail is rough and rocky underfoot and, while not exposed, may challenge anyone with serious vertigo. In the forest shade we drop to the river to meet our bus for a transfer of about four hours to Sofia. You have a few hours free in the city before we gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Our trip ends after breakfast. If you would like extra time in the city after our walking adventures, you can arrange to extend your stay.