Days 3   Distance 37 km   Ascent 1320 m   Descent 1360 m

Four reasons to love this walk:

• It is a hike along a narrow river gorge with forested sides;
• You can travel by mountain train that goes through tunnels, bridges, loops;
• The possibility to expand the walk into hot mineral water SPA vacation;
• You can pay visit to the Brown Bear Sanctuary in Belitsa town

The walk is in a mountain region in South-Eastern part of Bulgaria. It is between the three mountains-Rila, Rhodopes and Pirin.
Although it is wild and forested, it is easily reached by… narrow gauge railway train. The train passes through sunny forests, picturesque valleys, rocky passageways and quiet villages. By using it, you can also contribute to preserve the last narrow gouge train in Bulgaria that is so important for the local people using it in their everyday life.
The starting point is the small village St Petka from where you head to the resort Undola. The night you can spend in the hut-hotel Christo Smirnenski. Here the fried potatoes are a must as they are produced nearby.
The second day you can head to the Sport Complex Belmeken. Located at 2050 m above sea level, the sport base is a favorite training place for athletes from all over the world. There is a well-organized hotel with restaurant. The walk passes by the dam Belmeken.
The third day is for the walk along the rocky, gorge-like valley of the river Cherna Mesta. Cherna is Black on Bulgarian language. It means that the river is wild during the spring, but in autumn it is quiet and the walk is easy as there is a macadam road.
Once dawn on the train line, you can expand the vacation in one of the many hotels in the towns and village in the region with hot mineral water like Velingrad, Banya (close to Bansko), Dobrinishte.
And something that will attract the families - the Broun Bear Sanctuary located close to the town of Belitsa. The park offers lifelong care to rescued brown bears; each one has its interesting story. Pay a visit to learn more…

Difficulty: Most of the trail is along macadam road and easy to navigate. There are some steep parts and short parts without marks, but we will send you GPS tracks of the trail.
Accommodation: The hut is cozy and well-maintained. The hotel in Belmeken is well organized and maintained. Both can accommodate big groups.
Transport to/from the starting/finishing point: the villages are connected by buses and train from the capital city Sofia, Velingrad and Bansko.
Security: The trail is totally secure. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams. 

 Self-guided tour*

A note on our self guided adventures