An adventurous trail into the Rhodope Mountains, complete with incredible views, fascinating history and plenty of hours in untouched nature. The ride gives you a true taste of Bulgarian culture whilst still allowing you to escape daily life by riding on peaceful mountain tracks, enjoying untouched scenery and exploring hidden places. An interesting, active trail on safe but fit horses. The pace is in walk and trot with some canters.
This route is actually a one way ride and is not circular like most trails, meaning that you get to travel further from your start point, exploring vaster lands and finishing close to Greece.
- Visit to Devil's Throat Cave
- Trigrad Gorge
- Riding through the villages of Gela, Shiroka Laka and Trigrad - top Rhodope Mountain destinations.
- Passing through a number of protected areas.
- Riding to the natural phenomenon Chairskite Ezera, the 'Chairi Lakes'.
- Visit the rock formations of Chudnite Mostove, the 'Wonderful Bridges'.
- Visiting the Tower of Snezhanka.
- Sightseeing in the Old Town and Ethnographic Museum of Plovdiv as well as second biggest ortodox monastery in Bulgaria -Bachkovo
Preliminary day-by-day program
Day 1: Arrival and transfer from Sofia airport to Plovdiv, a city which is considered to be the cultural capital of Bulgaria and is more than 8000 years old. Plovdiv features the remains of a civilisation older than Rome itself and is a contemporary of ancient Troy. You will take a tour of the old town of Plovdiv, including a visit to the Ethnographic Museum and the antique theatre, one of the best-preserved in the world. Accomodation: Second biggest riding stabe in Bulgaria -Frigopan
Day 2: After breakfast you will be transferred to the stables, the starting point of the trail, in the 'Sredne Livadi' protected area. The drive is approximately 40 minutes. You will be paired with a suitable horse Today's ride will take you to the village of Orehovo which is around 500 years old. From here starts the longest eco-trail in Bulgaria, ending near the Aegean sea (Greece). This make Orehovo one of the best starting destinations for tours in the Rhodopes.
You will come across stunning views of the protected area called "Sredni Livadi". The ride will also take you through the old Roman road and an ancient chapel from the 18th century, called Saint Atanas. Lunch today is in a restaurant overlooking the 'Wonderful Bridges' rock phenomenon.
Overnight in a 3* family hotel.
Approximate riding time: 4 hours.
Day 3: After another hearty breakfast you will saddle up and make for the village of Zabyrdo, a small mountain village standing at 1400m above sea level which is famous for its production of traditional Rhodope cheese as well as the famous Bulgarian Yoghurt. Lunch today is right beside the rock formations known as the 'Wonderful Bridges'. These are one of the top 100 tourist destinations in Bulgaria and are a magnificent site - be sure to ask Bogdan for the tale of their origins! You will see an unique panoramic view and scenes stretching across the border into Greece. During the day you will ride upon the most famous meadows of the Rhode region - 'llinden' meadows, where the biggest bagpipe festival of the Balkans takes place each year.
Overnight tonight in a family-run guesthouse.
Approximate riding time: 5 hours 30 min
Day 4: Today you will ride towards one of the so-called "Rhodope Pearls", an architectural and folklore reserve! The village of Shiroka Laka is truly symbolic of Bulgarian culture with cobblestone streets and intriguing bazaars, making for an unforgettable tourist experience. Reaching the village on horseback is like an adventure from the 19th century.
Some of the most interesting places in the village are the ethnographic museum which is laid out like the house of a wealthy Rhodope family from the end of the 19th century. The Church of the Assumption was built in 1834 and took just 38 days to construct, thanks to the help of all the village's inhabitants.
Overnight tonight in a family guesthouse.
Approximate riding time: 6 hours.
Day 5: The journey continues on into the heart of "Mursalitsa" national park, an experience not to be forgotten. In the morning you will visit Devil's Throat Cave, a spectacular sight and a popular attraction. You will ride towards the village of Trigrad where you will see the Trigrad Gorge, a canyon made of vertical marble rocks. Today you will pass between some of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Rhodopes - the Chairi Lakes were formed by the sliding of glaciers during the Ice Age. You will also pass by the "Drunken Forest" where the trees grow as strange angles and in all directions. Lunch today is in a small bikers' bar within an old village, a great experience.
Overnight tonight in an authentic traditional family owned hotel
Approximate riding time: 6 hours.
Day 6: After today's breakfast you will ride back towards the village of Gela, covering the same stunning route as yesterday but in reverse. There is some time to explore the Chairi Lakes on foot, perhaps daring to step out across the old walkways for a peek into the clear waters. You will stop for lunch at the same bar as yesterday.
Overnight in same family-run guesthouse in Gela.
Approximate riding time: 6 hours
Day 7: This is the last riding day but the adventure is not over! You will explore some more unforgettable scenery of the ancient Rhodopes. You will ride upon the famous "panoramic road" to Mount Snezhanka, around 21km distance (roughly 3 and a half hours). This path will take you to almost 2200m above sea level, to the foot of the Snezhanka Tower which overlooks winter ski slopes. You will take lunch in the tower restaurant and can enjoy the views from the tower top - 360 degrees revealing the beauty of all the Rhodopes and even parts of the Aegean Sea. After lunch you will be transfered to Plovdiv aprox. 2 hr, on the way back to Plovdiv you will visit the second oldest monastery in bulgaria Baachkovo.
Accommodation tonight back in hotel day 1
Approximate riding time: 4 hours.
Day 8: After breakfast it is time to say farewell and to head to Sofia airport for your departure (approximately 3 hours in the car).