Trekking holiday in the Rila and Pirin mountains of Bulgaria with time to explore Sofia and Rila Monastery
Rugged, wild and dramatic the Rila and Pirin mountains of Bulgaria have some of the most breath taking and remote mountain scenery in Europe. With a wonderful mix of Greek and Ottoman influences, this fascinating country manages to combine jaw-dropping trekking with wonderful hospitality. We kick off KE style with a superb ascent of the country's highest peak, Mount Musala (2925m) before traversing the magnificent Rila Mountains via the Seven Lakes. After the second Rila peak of Maliovitsa (2730m), we transfer through spectacular scenery and visit the fantastically located UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery. Next we leave the Rila Mountains and head to the striking Pirin Mountains where we follow ridge-top paths and traverse alpine meadows up to the shores of the atmospheric Dark Lake.
This wonderful location is a highlight of the holiday as we stay in a remote mountain refuge, surrounded by amazing scenery. Finally we leave the best till last with an ascent of magnificent Vihren (2917m) before attempting Kotelo (2911m) along the airy Marble Ridge. Bulgaria never disappoints so if you're looking for one of Europe’s greatest “off the beaten track” destinations, an unforgettable mountain journey and a true cultural experience, then KE's Trekking the Ridges and Summits of Bulgaria is the only choice.