Internationale groepsreis Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains

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

Enjoy a day with two separate walks, each with a unique set of wildlife-spotting opportunities. A 15-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 growing population of Balkan chamois. In the afternoon, after a 30-minute drive to the village of Chala, those still with energy for a second walk can follow a broad grassy ridge spur, offering spectacular views towards Yagodina, before dropping steeply into the Buinovo Gorge, where waits to drive us (10 minutes) back to the hotel. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast, we drive to the neighbouring Trigrad gorge, where we make a short pause to scan the towering cliffs for the elusive wallcreeper, a delightful bird that flutters around like a butterfly on the rock faces, flashing strikingly crimson wings. We then spend the rest of the day hiking through the rugged heart of the Trigrad karst plateau. Following a maze of traditional trails and tracks, we thread our way through this wonderfully picturesque wilderness, rewarded by an ever-changing succession of landscapes and vistas. The region has been designated a Prime Butterfly Area, on account of the numerous rare species that can be found here. It also boasts outstanding flora, including many endemic species. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast, we set off in our bus for a 90-minute 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 Mt. Golyam Perelik (7,188ft/2,191m), before ascending Mount Golyam Snezhnik (7,178ft/2,188m). Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, making a long descent to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mount Golyam Perelik, so instead the leader will arrange an alternative lower-altitude walk in the mountains south of Yagodina. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

Having finished the previous day’s walk in the village of Gela, the supposed birthplace of Orpheus, we continue with the Orphic theme today, by 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, todays walk also offers some lovely remote walking, where 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. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

A half-hour 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 roe deer, but 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 former military bunkers, plus we learn more about this interesting, but dark, period of Bulgarian history. Accommodation: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar)

Before making the long transfer back to the Bulgarian capital, we have the chance to enjoy two final short, but highly picturesque nature walks. Having had breakfast and said our farewells to the staff at the hotel, we set off on foot, picking up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for its great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to the river and road where we meet our bus, for a 45 minute drive to the town of Devin. Here we start our second walk of the day, following a delightful, specially-constructed nature trail along the valley of the Devinska Reka. As well as being extremely photogenic in its own right, the trail passes through another Prime Butterfly Area, offering the chance to see yet more rare and beautiful species. After a picnic lunch by the river, we then make our way back to the bus, before completing the final transfer (3 hours 30 minutes) back to Sofia. Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace (or similar)

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.