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 highlights of this trail are undoubtedly the visits to two of the Rhodope Mountain's preserved villages, Shiroka Laka and Gela, which are both masterpieces of Renaissance artistry and considered the most iconic destinations in the Rhodopes. Shiroka Laka is both an architectural and folklore reserve, featuring unique houses which were often home to a master of the bagpipes - the Rhodope bagpipes are key to the folk music of the region. The village illustrates ancient rural life with its beautiful architecture, cuisine and the spirit of the locals. One of Bulgaria's most famous movies, 'Time of Violence', was filmed here. 

The village of Gela is also called "the valley of the bells and songs" and is centrally located in the mountain range at an altitude of 1500m. It lies at the foot of the most majestic peaks - Golyam Persenk Peak (2191m) and Orpheus Peak (2188m). The village has more than 3300 years of history and is considered to be a cradle of European civilisation. The village is home to the National Bagpipe Festival each summer in the first weekend of August, during which is welcomes up to 15,000 visitors. 

Particular highlights of the trail:

- 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. 

Trail Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival and transfer from Sofia airport (approximately 2 hours) to the village of Belashtitsa. The village is only around 6km from Plovdiv which is considered to be the cultural capital of Bulgaria and is more than 8000 years old. It 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. 

Accommodation tonight is at a 3* family hotel with swimming pool. 

Day 2: After your first traditional Rhodope 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 and can help to tack them up or leave this to Bogdan. 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, where you will enjoy lunch.

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.  Lunch today is a picnic. After riding and arrival at your next accommodation, the horses will be settled and then you will head by car to see the nearby 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.  Overnight is in a family owned guest house.

Overnight tonight in a family-run guesthouse. 

Approximate riding time: 6 hours. 

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. You will ride towards the village of Trigrad, famous for the biggest bagpipe festival in Bulgaria which takes place upon its "llinden" meadows (which you will ride upon). 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: 7 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: 7 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 2000m 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 can either go straight in the car to your accommodation or you can help Bogdan to take the horses to a nearby stables, a short ride down the slopes. 

Accommodation tonight in a 3* family hotel. 

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). On the way back there may be some time to visit the Bachkovo Monastery, actually the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria. 

NB. For most nights of the trail the horses are tethered on fields nearby to your hotel - they are accustomed to this and it allows them to graze and to have some freedom of movement. 

Day 1: Arrival and transfer from Sofia airport (approximately 2 hours) to the village of Belashtitsa, only 6km from a city, considered to the cultural capital of Bulgaria. This place has a history of a civilisation much older than that of the Romans - a city more than 8000 years old and a contemporary of ancient Troy. We will visit the old town of Plovdiv, including the Ethnographic Museum and the Antique theatre, which is one of the best preserved in the world.

Accommodation at a 3* family hotel with a swimming pool

Day 2: You will be transferred to the starting point of the trail named "Sredni Livadi" which is a protected area (approximately 40 minutes).  Today your destination is an Emblematic Village where two of the most famous Revival age movies were shot, namely "The Goat Horn" and parts of the Bulgarian Uprisings". The Rhodopean Village Kosowo is an architectural reserve with more than sixty monuments, five of which are of national importance. These are the church "Uspenie Bogorodichno" (Assumption of Virgin Mary) from 1851,  Hadzhiyskata - house architectural monument from 1853.  Very interesting also are the old school (1889), the chapels "St Nedelya" and "St. Peter", the mill, the forge as well as most of the old houses in the village.

You will cross the "Sredni livadi" the protected area and will enjoy a picnic lunch with fire and wine. 

Tonight you will sleep in the famous Hadzhiyska house which is a listed building of architectural interest. 

Approximate riding time five and a half riding hours

Day 3: After another traditional Rhodopean breakfast, the journey continues in the footsteps of Captain Petko Voyvoda (a famous historical figure) towards Hvovyna Village (altitude of 750m). The riding today will take you by a number of chapels with panoramic scenes while crossing one of the most beautiful valleys of the Central Rhodopes, namely "Hvoynenska". You will have a picnic lunch near one of the chapels with the chance to sit by the fire and have some wine. 

You will also be take to the second largest and oldest Ortodoxal Monastery in Bulgaria called "Bachkovo Monastery".

You will spend the night in a family owned and operated hotel.

Approximate riding time six hours.

Day 4: Todays trails 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 makes Orehovo, one of the best starting points for tours in the Rhodopes.

You will come across some stunning views of the area "Sredni Livadi" which is protected. The ride will take you past an old Roman road and ancient 18th century chapel called Saint Atanas where you will have a simple packed lunch carried in your saddlebag. You will also visit the "Skakaloto" waterfall and the "Kosten kamyk" cave.

You will stay tonight in a family run hotel.

Approximate riding time six hours.

Day 5: After yet another traditional breakfast, you will head for the village of Zabyrdo. This is a small mountain village standing 1400m above sea level.  It is famous for making the traditional Rhodope cheese. It is also one of the oldest villages in the area, around 800 years old.  You will also visit the rock phenomena "Wonderful Bridges" by horse back. This is one of the five most visited destinations in the Rhodopes. Today you have a packed lunch carried in your saddlebag. 

Tonight you will sleep in a family run guesthouse

Approximate riding time six hours.

Day 6: Today's destination is Lilkowo village. You will climb the second highest peak in the Rhodes (Mount Big Persek 2100m).  This area will reveal a unique panoramic scenery, stretching across half of the Rhodope mountain. You will have carried your packed lunch in the saddlebag

Tonight you stay at a 4* Hotel

Approximate riding time six hours

Day 7: This is the last riding day and will take you back to the starting point of this trail of a lifetime. You will have ridden over 150km by horseback, passing by one of the oldest Thracian fortress called "Shtut grad" which dates back to 5th century BC. The two hills of the forests, the Sun Hill and the Moon Hill held great power for the Thracian tribe called "Best".  They were known through the Roman empire as the most fearless Thracians. Lunch is a picnic again with the chance for a glass of wine and perhaps a campfire. 

Approximate riding time five hours

Day 8: After breakfast it is time to say a sad farewell and be transferred back to Sofia airport for your departure. Approximately 3 hours in the car.