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Best Mountain Hikes in Bulgaria

32 routes in Bulgaria qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 39.3 km and 1,654 m (5,427 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 426 km.

That is 18 percent of the 177 routes we map in Bulgaria. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 39.3 km against 24.8 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 1,654 m (5,427 ft) on average versus 738 m (2,421 ft) across the wider area.

Mountain routes trade effort for scale. Expect sustained climbing, quick weather changes and views that make the numbers worth it. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

връх Зъбът от Кукленското езеро
Expert

Dobrinishte - Melnik

Pirin National Park · Blagoevgrad

Distance
46.7 km
/ 29.0 mi
Elevation gain
2,111 m
Typical duration
13 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Primary school in the village of Budinarci, Maleševija, Macedonia
Expert

Sammiana I4

Blagoevgrad · Bulgaria

Distance
204 km
/ 127 mi
Elevation gain
6,056 m
Typical duration
57 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
The mosque in the Village of Cherna Mesta, Bulgaria.
Hard

ST510 Yakoruda - Yundola

Blagoevgrad · Bulgaria

Distance
23.4 km
/ 14.6 mi
Elevation gain
891 m
Typical duration
6 hr 28 min
  • Mountain
Hard

Предел - в. Пирин

Pirin National Park · Blagoevgrad

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,436 m
Typical duration
3 hr 19 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
View of Earth taken during ISS Expedition 63.
Hard

Към Гоцев връх

Blagoevgrad · Bulgaria

Distance
10.4 km
/ 6.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,382 m
Typical duration
4 hr 15 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
European long distance path E4 - part BulgariaBlagoevgrad236 km8,958 m69 hrExpertJuly to September
European long distance path E8 - part BulgariaBlagoevgrad426 km5,982 m110 hrExpertJuly to September
Dobrinishte - MelnikPirin National Park46.7 km2,111 m13 hrExpertJuly to September
Разлог - х. Яворов - х. ЛагераPirin National Park27.9 km1,877 m9 hrExpertJuly to September
Банско - х. Яне СанданскиPirin National Park23.7 km1,613 m7 hr 38 minHardJuly to September
x. Синаница - х. ПиринPirin National Park24.8 km1,551 m7 hr 47 minExpertJuly to September
х. Беговица - х. ПиринPirin National Park10.1 km976 m3 hr 34 minHardJuly to September
х. Бъндерица - ПремкатаPirin National Park3.7 km44 m50 minModerateJuly to September
Попово езеро - ЧенгелчалPirin National Park2.5 km453 m1 hr 12 minModerateJuly to September
х. Вихрен - Казаните - ПремкатаPirin National Park2.9 km56 m41 minModerateJuly to September

If you only have time for one, start with European long distance path E4 - part Bulgaria, European long distance path E8 - part Bulgaria, Разлог - х. Яворов - х. Лагера. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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