Easy
- The Seven Rila Lakes – by chairlift from Panichishte to the Rila Lakes hut, then about 2 hours on foot. The most popular route in Bulgaria; in July and August it is like Vitosha Boulevard on a Sunday. More
- The Wonderful Bridges in the Rhodopes – natural rock arches that you can reach almost by car. More
- The Belogradchik Rocks – red rock formations and a fortress. Suitable for grandmas too. More
Moderate
- Musala (2,925 m) – from Borovets by lift to Yastrebets, then 3 hours uphill. The highest peak in the Balkans and the shortest path to bragging rights. More
- Cherni Vrah on Vitosha – from Aleko in about 1.5 hours. The view of Sofia is free, and so is the wind.
- Botev Peak – from Karlovo or Kalofer, a long but beautiful hike in the Central Balkan.
Hard
- Vihren (2,914 m) – from the Vihren hut above Bansko; about 3 hours of steep climbing. More
- Koncheto – a narrow stone ridge in Pirin with a metal cable. Not for people afraid of heights, and even people without fear feel respect.
- Kom – Emine – the European E3 trail along the ridge of the Stara Planina. About 650 km, usually done in 20–25 days. Like a marathon, only more beautiful and with more bean soup in the huts.
The huts
There are over 200 huts in the mountains. Most offer beds in shared rooms, bean soup, herbal tea and stories from the hut keeper. Book ahead in season, especially in Rila and Pirin.
Between us
The rule is “in the mountains, you don’t hurry”. Unless it starts to rain. Then everybody hurries, and that is perfectly normal.