Vitosha Mountains and Cherni Vrah Peak hiking tour

General information

Destination	Category
Sofia, Bulgaria	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Vitosha looming is the first thing visitors to Sofia notice on their way from the airport. Few cities and even fewer capitals possess such a natural feature. Vitosha is the Balkans’ oldest Nature Park and Bulgaria’s most visited mountain. Each year, thousands of tourists enjoy the beauty of its scenery and its plant and animal life.


Our hiking trek takes you along the entire crest of the Vitosha. Starting from appr. 1750m/5830ft. above sea level we first climb Cherni Vrah Peak (2290m/7625ft.) following a gently ascending trail and then traverse the Torfeno Branishte (“The Peat”) Nature Reserve to reach the famous stone rivers of the Zlatni Mostove (“Golden Bridges”) natural feature. The wet meadows on either side of the path are home to a number of rare and endemic plant species, including a few species of orchids. You might also be lucky to encounter some of the recently introduced Balkan Chamois (wild goats). Hiking takes place above the tree line in the alpine and sub-alpine part of the mountains, and eventually you descend through century-old coniferous woods to you final destination – a magic river of huge boulders covered with yellow lichens.


Food: there are a few huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, French fries, tea, pancakes), but if you come prepared with a sandwich or two we can stop at any place to enjoy our food. This walking route is moderately arduous, without steep paths. Please bring along comfortable hiking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.


Meeting/pick-up point: Pick up from hotels in Sofia.

Duration: Walking tour: between four and six hours.

Start/opening time: At 8.30am.

End/closing time: At 4pm.

Languages: English.

Others: Moderate difficulty.