The Mountains of Bulgaria - Tourist Information

Bulgaria offers both rugged snow-capped mountains and gentle, rolling hills covered with lush forests. Sparkling rivers tumble down the mountain sides to form picturesque lakes and health-giving mineral springs. The mountains of Bulgaria are home to a huge variety of plants and animals, which thrive in the clear mountain air and unpolluted waters. Rural tourism is a growth area in Bulgaria, spearheaded by the tourist authorities who are keen to promote the benefits of the Bulgarian countryside. Bulgaria hopes to attract tourists to visit rural areas in the same way that they have flocked to the beaches on the Black Sea coast.

Mountain Holidays in Bulgaria

The mountains of Bulgaria are ideal for numerous outdoor activities, including:

• Horse riding and pony-treking
• Cycling
• Quad-biking, 4x4 and dirt-biking
• Rambling
• Canoeing and Rafting
• Pot-holing (Bulgaria's roads offer a similar experience)
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Skiing and snow boarding
• Tobogganing and sledging
• Golf holidays (there's a rapid increase in the number of golf courses)

Pirin Mountains

The Pirin Mountains are home to 176 mountain lakes and about 100 varieties of rare plants, including the Edelweiss and the renowned Baikousheva fir, which is almost 1,300 years old. Amidst these spectacular mountains you will find the beautiful ski resort of Bansko, plus the famous spa resort of Sandanksi - reputed to be the birthplace of the gladiator Spartacus. The picturesque old town of Melnik nestles in the mountains, just a short drive from Sandanksi, and the nearby village of Rupite has one of the most well-known mineral springs.

Rila Mountains

The Rila mountains are home to over 2,000 varieties of plants. The highest peak in the Rila mountains is Mount Moussala, which reaches 2,925 metres above sea level. Many people will be familiar with the ski resort of Borovets, which is now the subject of a major investment program - the "Super Borovets" project. This huge project is designed to both modernize and extend the winter sports facilities in the region. The Rila mountains are also the home of Bulgaria's most famous, and most visited monastery, the Rila Monastery.

Rhodope Mountains

The mild climate and clear air of the beautiful Rhopode mountains encourages a host of plants and animals. The lush vegetation makes these mountains the greenest in the country. The famous ski resort of Pamporovo has been welcoming tourists from all over the globe for many years. Locals tend to visit the smaller and less commercial ski resort of Chepelare. The town of Smolyan, just a short drive from the Greek border, is a popular starting point for walking and cycling holidays in these picturesque mountains. Most visitors to Bulgaria will be familiar with the Devin mineral water, which is one of the most popular bottled waters sold in shops, bars and restaurants throughout the country.

Stara Planina

The Stara Planina (otherwise known as the Balkan Mountain range) is the longest mountain range in Bulgaria and dominates the central region of the country. This 700 kilometre mountain ridge stretches across the entire width of the country. The highest peak in the Stara Planina is Mount Botev, which reaches 2,376 metres above sea level. Amongst the highlights in these mountains are pretty villages like Tryavna and Arbanassi, the scenic Shipka Pass, and the famous and historic town of Veliko Turnovo. Constructed on the hillside, at the northern edge of the Stara Planina, Veliko Turnovo must be one of the prettiest towns in the country. Once the capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo contains many beautiful buildings, including the Tsaravets castle and a multitude of Bulgarian Revival houses.

Sredna Gora

The Sredna Gora mountains (otherwise known as the Central Range) form the heartland of Bulgaria. Some people might consider this mountain range to be less dramatic than the others, with the highest peak being Mount Bogdan, which reaches 1,604 metres above sea level. However, the Sredna Gora offer cool, shady woods and miles of open fields, which are excellent for rambling holidays. Historically, the low altitude and rich mineral deposits attracted both the Thracians and the Romans. Thracian burial grounds are scattered throughout the mountain range. At the foot of the mountains lies the famous "Valley of the Roses".

Vitosha Mountains

The Vitosha mountains dominate the skyline of the Bulgarian capital city, Sofia. The name comes from a Thracian word that means "split in two", and reflects the appearance of the mountain range when viewed from the city. The Vitosha mountains are the most frequently visited of all the Bulgarian mountain ranges. The highest peak is Cherni Vruh, which reaches 2,286 metres above sea level. The Vitosha mountains are home to a variety of plants and animals, and offer skiing facilities and a good selection of modern hotels and restaurants.