Long-distance hikes in Sofia

"Stage 4 crosses into Bulgaria, heading south to Stara Planina and Midzhur Peak, then traversing ridge of Stara Planina and descending near Chepan Mountain and Dragoman Marsh."

This route is a section of the Sultans Trail, an international long-distance hiking trail from Vienna to Istanbul. The hiking route follows historic roads through eight countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey), linking towns and villages in a traditional cultural and historic landscape. This section passes through two countries, Bulgaria and Greece, before entering Turkey. In Bulgaria, the trail passes by Vitosha Mountain, Yarlovo, Belchin, Samokov, Govedartsi, Mechit Mountain, Rila Monastery, Makedoniya hut, Semkovo, Belitsa Bear Sanctuary, Yakoruda, Yundola, Velingrad, Rakitovo, Batak, Orlovetz, Shiroka palyana, Borino, Yagodina, Mugla, Smolyan, Polkovnik Serafimovo, Srednogortsi, Byal Izvo, Ardino, Kitnitsa, Kardzhali, Perperikon, Madzharovo, and Ivaylovgrad. In Greece, it passes through Fylakio, Rizia, and Kastanies before entering Turkey and reaching Edirne.

This route is a Section of the Sultans Trail, an international long-distance hiking trail from Vienna to Istanbul. The hiking route follows historic roads through eight countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey), linking towns and villages in a traditional cultural and historic landscape. This route passes through Lozen, Novi Han, Ihtiman, Momin Prohod, Septemvri, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Asenovgrad, Mineralni Bani, Haskovo, Harmanli, Svilengrad, Kastanies, and Karaağaç before reaching Edirne. 

The northern part of the Balkan Green Belt Trail (Stages 1–6) spans Serbia, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. It transitions from Vojvodina's plains to rugged mountains, covering diverse landscapes, protected areas, and cultural landmarks along the way. 

"Stage 5 traverses Bulgaria’s western mountains, tackling rugged terrain through the Tran and Kraishte regions, Erma and Zemen Gorge, Ruy and Karvav Kamak, nearing Osogovo mountain."

This route is a section of the Sultans Trail, an international long-distance hiking trail from Vienna to Istanbul. The hiking route follows historic roads through eight countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey), linking towns and villages in a traditional cultural and historic landscape. This section passes through two countries Serbia and Bulgaria. In Serbia, the trail passes by Grocka, Smederevo, Mihajlovac, Smederevska Palanka, Markovac. Svilajnac. Despotovac, Paljane, Ćuprija, Paraćin, Varvarin, Kruševac, Ribarska banja, Niš, Niška Banja, Sićevo, Dolac, Bela Palanka, Pirot, and Dimitrovgrad. In Bulgaria, it passes by Dragoman, Slivnitsa, and Bankya before entering Sofia.

Three day hike in the Rila Mountains. Stay the night in cozy mountain huts!

Crossing western Rila as a 5 days tour (Govedartsi to Dobarsko). Slept in the huts and in the Rila monastery.

The E3 through Europe: From the Black Sea to the Spanish Atlantic