Day
1
We meet you at Sofia airport or at Sofia main railroad
station. Three hours drive to Varhovrah hotel. Overnight
at the hotel. Varhovrah hotel (1550 meters above sea
level) is situated in picturesque spot on the top of
Chernatitsa (Black Mountain) – one of the most
spectacular ridges of Rhodopes, stretching north-south.
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Day
2
From Varhovrah hotel you head
for south. A nice and inspiring hike along the top of
Chernatitsa ridge through beech, fir and spruce forests
with lush green glades and meadows to Persenk hut (1750
meters above sea level). Overnight at the hut. Approximately
5 hours walking time.
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Day
3
From Persenk hut you continue
your hike on an ancient thracian/roman stone road on
the top of the mountain. Gradual ascend to Mezargidik
col (1950 meters above sea level) from where you can
climb Persenk peak famous for its spectacular views.
Back to the col and then you gradually descend to Skalni
Mostove hut (1620 meters above sea level). In the vicinity
of the hut the famous Earth Bridges are situated –
two impressive natural bridges over the small Aidarsko
dere river. Overnight at the hut. Approximately 4 hours
walking time.
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Day
4
From Skalni Mostove hut you take the path to the top
of the ridge and eventually reach the main path on the
top of the ridge at a place, called Gluhite Kamani (1920
meters above sea level). Gluhite Kamani or Deaf Stones
are two granite boulders resembling hay stacks. From
that place you continue your hike on the top of the
mountain through gorgeous coniferous woods and pastures
and finally you arrive at a very old village, called
Varbovo. Houses are examples of typical Rhodopean architecture
and the village itself is very picturesque seen from
above (the way you will be coming). From Varbovo you
go on walking to another village – architectural
and ethnographical reserve, called Shiroka Laka. Old
houses and humpbacked stone turkish bridges here. Overnight
at a family hotel in Shiroka Laka. Approximately 7 hours
walking time.
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Day
5
One hour drive to Perelik hut
(1900 meters above sea level). From here starts your
highest and most panoramic hike of the whole trek. You
are traversing the highest ridge of Rhodopes mountain
very close to the highest peak of the mountain - Perelik
peak (2191 m). There are no big trees on your track
but shrubs and the views are fantastic all the way.
Then you descend to the village of Mugla. There is a
mosque with an amazingly tall wooden minaret here. Overnight
at a family house. Approximately 5 hours walking time.
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Day
6
Mugla is your starting point to one of the most fascinating
places in the mountain – Chairite. These are several
small lakes. Then you continue your way on the other
side of the deep gorge of Chairska river, cross coniferous
forests and open grassland on the limestone plateau
over the village of Trigrad and the magnificent Trigrad
river gorge. Some sections of that hike are fabulously
beautiful. Overnight at a family house in Trigrad. At
the end of the day you can visit the famous Djavolsko
Garlo cave (The Devil’s Throat cave). Approximately
5 hours walking time.
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Day
7
Drive by local bus through the
narrow and deep Trigrad gorge to the place called Teshel.
From that place you take an abandoned road through Kastraklii
reserve (centuries old black pine forest) to Orpheus
hut. From the hut you hike through open spaces and coniferous
forests to spa resort Devin. Swimming pools with mineral
water here. Overnight in a hotel or a family house.
Approximately 5 hours walking time.
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