Bulgaria
Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 May 2026
This announcement aims to gauge the interest of the members of the Heraklion Mountaineering Club (EOS Heraklion). A detailed program and participation cost will be announced later, depending on the level of interest.
Nine days of exploration, history, and culture in a beautiful country.
Based in the capital Sofia, we will visit Rila National Park, a fully protected area with centuries-old natural forests of fir, Bosnian pine, black pine, and spruce. The richness of flora and fauna places the park on the UN List of National Parks and within the NATURA 2000 ecological network. The park hosts 1,400 plant species and provides refuge to brown bears, Balkan chamois, wolves, the rare Alpine newt, and over 100 bird species. The mountain range contains around 200 natural lakes, most of which date back to the glacial period.
In one of the most beautiful parts of the area, we will hike among the world-famous Seven Rila Alpine Lakes, and on the descent, reach Sapareva Banya, home to the hottest geyser in the world, with a temperature of 103°C.
We will visit Borovets, a stunning alpine landscape surrounded by enormous fir trees. It is the oldest winter resort and one of the largest ski centers in Bulgaria. Above the resort rises Musala (2,925 m), the highest peak in the Balkans.
We will also explore Vitosha National Park, walking through pristine forests of towering beech trees, alongside streams with wooden bridges. We will pass a babbling waterfall and the historic Boyana Church, surrounded by giant sequoias, as well as unique caves, hidden waterfalls, and rivers. We will climb to the park’s highest peak, Cherni Vrah (2,290 m), enjoying exceptional views over all of Sofia.
A visit to Rila Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria, is, of course, included. The program also features a riverside route with wooden walkways, the so-called Hobbit Houses, and a visit to the impressive Prohodna Cave, near the village of Karlukovo in the Iskar Gorge, famous for the two natural openings in its ceiling resembling giant eyes, known as the Eyes of God.
We will visit the old town of Plovdiv, whose historic buildings captivate visitors with their beauty and history. The city is considered one of the ten oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, having been inhabited since the Neolithic era.
We will also visit Melnik, built in a remote, shaded ravine, renowned for its traditional Macedonian architecture, its fine red wine, and the tall sandy limestone formations known as “pyramids” that surround it.
Naturally, we will enjoy walks in Sofia, as accommodation will be in a central hotel. Bulgaria’s capital will charm us with its history, enchanting gardens, beautiful buildings such as the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, and its cathedrals, including St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Christian cathedrals in the world by volume, and St. Nedelya Cathedral. All of these create a magical evening atmosphere with their distinctive lighting. We will surely end up on Vitosha Boulevard, the pedestrian street filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants.
An experienced escort, guide, and mountain leader will accompany us throughout the trip.
Leader: Fanis Mamos
Information – Registrations: Monday to Friday, 20:00–22:00, at the offices of the Heraklion Mountaineering Club, 53 Dikaiosynis Street, Heraklion. Tel.: +30 2810 227609
Email: info@eos-her.gr
