Hike Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains

4.8Based on

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Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Sofia, Bulgaria

Ends

Sofia, Bulgaria

Highlights

Hike the Rodopi Mountains, a walker’s paradise of deep gorges, ancient forests and flowering meadows

Embark on day walks from our comfortable base in a traditional Bulgarian village

Look out for native flora and fauna, including brown bears, orchids and wildflowers

Trace the myth of Orpheus, the Ancient Greek bard, who is said to have lived here

Enjoy a warm welcome and delicious home-cooked food at Yagodina Family Hotel

Hike Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains

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Rasmus Juul Olsen

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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

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Its good well organised

1 day ago

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Itinerary

The Rodopi Mountains are a hauntingly beautiful and mysterious region which, according to legend, were the home of the ancient Greek bard, Orpheus. Today they offer a refuge for many rare plants, butterflies, birds and mammals, including elusive carnivores such as brown bears and wolves. Discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of this remote mountain range as we walk through a variety of landscapes, including shady coniferous forests, expansive meadows and rugged limestone gorges. We engage with local people who maintain their traditional rural existence, working the fields by hand and tending their livestock on the meadows and pastures.

day 1 - Meet at Sofia Airport • To Yagodina

The adventure begins at Sofia Airport (Terminal 2), where we meet our leader, before a transfer to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next six nights.

Around 6:30pm, say zdraveite (hello in Bulgarian) to your tour leader and fellow travellers when we gather as a group to get to know each other and hear more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over dinner together.

Want more time in Sofia? Speak to your sales representative about booking extra nights before the tour.

Meals:Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 2 - Kastrakli Nature Reserve and Buynovo Gorge Hikes

Our first day in the mountains provides us with two separate walks, each offering a unique set of landscapes and wildlife-spotting opportunities. A 20-minute drive after breakfast brings us to the trailhead of our first walk, a hike through the deep gorge and forests of Kastrakli Nature Reserve, renowned for orchids, butterflies and a well-established population of Balkan chamois.

In the afternoon, after a 30-minute drive to the village of Chala, we set off for our second walk. To start, we follow a broad grassy ridge spur, offering spectacular views towards Yagodina, before dropping steeply into Buynovo Gorge, where the bus will be waiting to drive us (10 minutes) back to the hotel.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 3 - Hike in the Bulgaria-Greece border zone

A 30-minute drive up the picturesque valley of the Buynovska Reka brings us to the village of Buynovo, where we start our walk. Today, we wander amid the mountain meadows and forests along the border with Greece. Nowadays this is a tranquil region, peacefully roamed by wolves, bear, wild boar and red deer, and home to secretive forest birds such as capercaillie and hazel grouse; however, during the Cold War, it was known as the Zone of Death, a forbidden area patrolled by armed border guards ordered to prevent anyone trying to escape across the Iron Curtain into Greece.

During our walk, we see remnants of the old border fence and perhaps find traces of former military bunkers, giving us an opportunity to learn more about this period of Bulgarian history.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 4 - Traverse the highest peaks of the Rodopi Mountains

After breakfast, we set off in our bus for a 1hr 30min drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderfully panoramic hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First, we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak, Golyam Perelik (7,188ft/2,191m), before ascending Karlak (7,178ft/2,188m).

Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop into the forest, making a long descent to the picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here, we meet our bus for the drive back to Yagodina.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 5 - Bear and wolf tracking

Embark on an exciting bear and wolf tracking walk, which starts and finishes at the door of our hotel. Spending the entire day on foot, we explore the diverse patchwork of landscapes that immediately surround Yagodina, a prime habitat for both brown bears and grey wolves.

During our explorations, we look out for signs of their presence and activities, while learning about their ecology and behaviour. We also gain an understanding of local conservation efforts and the challenges of human-carnivore existence.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 6 - Hike in the footsteps of Orpheus

Having visited the village of Gela earlier in the week, the supposed birthplace of Orpheus, we continue with the Orphic theme today, following in his footsteps to the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary where Orpheus is believed to have met his death.

As well as being steeped in a fascinating mix of myth and mystery, today’s route also offers some lovely remote walking. We share our trail with wolves and deer, and can often hear the eerie cries of black woodpeckers echoing through the forest, adding to the excitement and magical atmosphere. The forests are also rich in other birdlife, including hazel grouse, nutcrackers, crossbills, and crested tits.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

day 7 - On the chamois trail • To Sofia

Having had breakfast and said our farewells to the staff at the hotel, we set off on foot for a short but stunning final walk.

Begin by winding through the meadows at the edge of the village, before joining a narrow rocky trail, on which we eventually descend into the depths of the Buynovo Gorge. The first part of the path skirts the flank of imposing Mount Sveti Iliya, passing a cave and crossing scrubby scree slopes that are home to a growing population of Balkan chamois.

The views of the crags above, on which chamois make their home, and down into the gorge below, are breath-taking. However, please note the trail is very rough and rocky underfoot, and although not exposed, may not be suitable for those with serious vertigo.

Eventually, having entered the forest shade, we descend to the river. Here, we meet our bus and transfer (four hours) to Sofia. We expect to have a few hours free in Sofia before our farewell dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace (or similar)

day 8 - Adventure ends in Sofia

This trip draws to a close after breakfast. If you want to spend a bit more time in the city after our walking adventures, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals:Breakfast

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Oct 10, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Wildlife focused, relaxed hiking in the rural Rodopi mountain region with beautiful scenery.

I had a wonderful week in the rural wilderness of Rodopi. This was my first hiking trip and I found the walks to be very enjoyable and manageable. The pace was leisurely with lots of wildlife stops whilst still covering a good distance each day. The trip notes are very accurate, although accommodation is basic, it's clean, comfortable and exactly what is described and had wonderful staff and great home cooked food. The guide Julian was fantastic, very passionate and a great leader and wildlife expert.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Jun 21, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Walking and wildlife in beautiful mountains

A very underrated trip with a real focus on wildlife, and there is lots to see. The walking is spot on for a moderate trip but there is time to stop and take photos and learn about the area and the wildlife. Trails are good and very quiet. It's definitely a place to get away from the rest of the world but with a homely hotel with good food at the end of the day.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Jun 18, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

More than a trip.

This was a holiday: good food, good weather, relaxing hotel, nice hosts , great group, well organised. An exploration, fabulous unhurried but exhilarating walks, wonderful scenery and an education. Our guide Julian seemed to know and love all the wildlife, the butterflies and birds, the geology, geography, mythology and the current social and political status of Bulgaria. An interesting , informative and stimulating trip for mind and body.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Jun 17, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Hiking in the Rodopi 2025

This was an excellent walking tour with, as described, moderate walking but with time to stop and enjoy the wildlife and great views. It was very well organised and the village hotel was a good choice for walkers with good rooms, excellent home made food and attentive staff.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Jun 6, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

A relaxing nature trip

This is a very relaxing hiking trip with lots of time to explore nature at its best in the Rodopi Mts!