Rila
Rila is the highest mountain in Bulgaria. The climate varies from continental to transitional Mediterranean. The lowest average temperature in the winter is - 11.6 C and in the summer is 5.4 C. Rila is devided into four main parts.
Eastern Rila
It is the highest part of the four. The highest peak is Moussala ( 2925 m. ) There are a lot of lake groups here. The highest lake is here too - Ledenoto Ezero ( 2709 m. ).
Middle Rila
It is the smallest part of the mountain - only 9 % of the hole area. The highest peak is Karaalanitsa - 2716 m. Middle Rila is rich in glacial lakes. The biggest glacial lake is situated here - Smradlivoto, with total area of 212 decares.
North-Western Rila
This part of Rila occupies 24% of the area. The highest peak is Goliam Koupen 2731 m. Next is Malyovitza - 2730 m. Malyovitza is the symbol of the bulgaian alpinism and mountaineering.
South-Western Rila
It occupies 30% ot the total mountain area. The highest peak is Angel 2643 m. Here is one of the oldest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria - Parangalitsa. Some of the biggest rivers in Bulgaria spring out here.
Eastern Rila
It is the highest part of the four. The highest peak is Moussala ( 2925 m. ) There are a lot of lake groups here. The highest lake is here too - Ledenoto Ezero ( 2709 m. ).
Middle Rila
It is the smallest part of the mountain - only 9 % of the hole area. The highest peak is Karaalanitsa - 2716 m. Middle Rila is rich in glacial lakes. The biggest glacial lake is situated here - Smradlivoto, with total area of 212 decares.
North-Western Rila
This part of Rila occupies 24% of the area. The highest peak is Goliam Koupen 2731 m. Next is Malyovitza - 2730 m. Malyovitza is the symbol of the bulgaian alpinism and mountaineering.
South-Western Rila
It occupies 30% ot the total mountain area. The highest peak is Angel 2643 m. Here is one of the oldest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria - Parangalitsa. Some of the biggest rivers in Bulgaria spring out here.
Major hiking departure points in Rila
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is the most outstanding cultural monument in Bulgaria from the Revival period. It is under UNESCO patronage as being of an extraordinary significance for the world's culture. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Ribni Ezara chalet (4 -5 h.), to Macedonia chalet (5 h.), Ivan Vazov (5 h.) , 7 Rilski ezera chalet (6-7 h.) , Malyovitsa chalet (6-7 h.).
Borovets
Borovets is 12 km. away from Samokov and 72 km. away from Sofia .The resort is the oldest Bulgarian winter resort with a history dating back to 1896. Today Borovets is one of the biggest and most modern resorts in Bulgaria. Situated among beautiful pine woods 1390 meters above the sea level (with highest ski runs at 2600 m)Borovets is a perfect place for relaxation and recreation for the visiting tourists. There is a regular bus line to Samokov. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Moussala peak ( 6 h.), to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.30 h.), Chakur Voyvoda chalet (2.30 h.), to Saragyol Palace (3 h.), to Maritsa chalet (4.30 h.).
Malyovitza
Malyovitsa is a small resort 27 km. away from Samokov and is connected to it by a well-maintained road. There is a regular bus line to Samokov and the nearby village of Govedartsi. Wonderful mountain scenery can be seen from the Malyovitsa summit which is 2729 m. above sea level. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Ivan Vazov chalet (7 h.), to Ribni Ezera chalet (9-10 h.), to Rila Monastery (6 h.), to 7 Rilski Ezera chalet (5 to 8 h. depending on the route).
The village of Govedartsi - 14 km. away from Samokov. C Mechit chalet (2 -2.30 h.) and Ovnarsko Tourist Base (2 h.). If you are a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates and you want to buy cheap bulgarian property Govedartsi has what to offer you. You can buy and own property in this very beautiful area and enjoy the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
Dolna Banya resort - 20 km. away from Borovets. There are routes to Venetitsa chalet (2 h. ) and other routes around Eastern Rila. If you are a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates and you want to buy cheap bulgarian property Dolna Banya has what to offer you. You can buy and own property in this very beautiful area and enjoy the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
The resort of Kostenets is situated 9 km.away form the railway station with the same name. There are routes to Belmeken chalet (4 - 5 h.) and Gourgoulitsa chalet (1.3 h.). The resort of Youndola is 16 km. away from Velingrad. There are routes to Kourtovo chalet (3h.), Belmeken lake (4-5 h.). The town of Belitsa is a departure point for the resort of Semkovo and Macedonia chalet (6-7 h.)
Sapareva Banya resort is 20km. east of Doupnitsa. It is a starting point for the PAnichishte resort and from there for many routes to different chalets - Pionerska, Lovna, Skakavitsa, Rilski Ezera, Ivan Vazov, Malyovitsa and others. Sapareva Banya is the place where you, if you are interested in real estates, can buy cheap bulgarian property and thus fully enjoy the marvels of the beautiful bulgarian nature.
Although there is no route setting out directly from Samokov, this town is considered to be the entrance point of Rila. Hikers pass through Samokov for the most popular areas of the mountain - Borovets, Moussala peak, and Malyovitsa.
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is the most outstanding cultural monument in Bulgaria from the Revival period. It is under UNESCO patronage as being of an extraordinary significance for the world's culture. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Ribni Ezara chalet (4 -5 h.), to Macedonia chalet (5 h.), Ivan Vazov (5 h.) , 7 Rilski ezera chalet (6-7 h.) , Malyovitsa chalet (6-7 h.).
Borovets
Borovets is 12 km. away from Samokov and 72 km. away from Sofia .The resort is the oldest Bulgarian winter resort with a history dating back to 1896. Today Borovets is one of the biggest and most modern resorts in Bulgaria. Situated among beautiful pine woods 1390 meters above the sea level (with highest ski runs at 2600 m)Borovets is a perfect place for relaxation and recreation for the visiting tourists. There is a regular bus line to Samokov. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Moussala peak ( 6 h.), to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.30 h.), Chakur Voyvoda chalet (2.30 h.), to Saragyol Palace (3 h.), to Maritsa chalet (4.30 h.).
Malyovitza
Malyovitsa is a small resort 27 km. away from Samokov and is connected to it by a well-maintained road. There is a regular bus line to Samokov and the nearby village of Govedartsi. Wonderful mountain scenery can be seen from the Malyovitsa summit which is 2729 m. above sea level. Hiking routes starting from here are : to Ivan Vazov chalet (7 h.), to Ribni Ezera chalet (9-10 h.), to Rila Monastery (6 h.), to 7 Rilski Ezera chalet (5 to 8 h. depending on the route).
The village of Govedartsi - 14 km. away from Samokov. C Mechit chalet (2 -2.30 h.) and Ovnarsko Tourist Base (2 h.). If you are a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates and you want to buy cheap bulgarian property Govedartsi has what to offer you. You can buy and own property in this very beautiful area and enjoy the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
Dolna Banya resort - 20 km. away from Borovets. There are routes to Venetitsa chalet (2 h. ) and other routes around Eastern Rila. If you are a keen hiker and you are interested in real estates and you want to buy cheap bulgarian property Dolna Banya has what to offer you. You can buy and own property in this very beautiful area and enjoy the beauty of the bulgarian nature.
The resort of Kostenets is situated 9 km.away form the railway station with the same name. There are routes to Belmeken chalet (4 - 5 h.) and Gourgoulitsa chalet (1.3 h.). The resort of Youndola is 16 km. away from Velingrad. There are routes to Kourtovo chalet (3h.), Belmeken lake (4-5 h.). The town of Belitsa is a departure point for the resort of Semkovo and Macedonia chalet (6-7 h.)
Sapareva Banya resort is 20km. east of Doupnitsa. It is a starting point for the PAnichishte resort and from there for many routes to different chalets - Pionerska, Lovna, Skakavitsa, Rilski Ezera, Ivan Vazov, Malyovitsa and others. Sapareva Banya is the place where you, if you are interested in real estates, can buy cheap bulgarian property and thus fully enjoy the marvels of the beautiful bulgarian nature.
Although there is no route setting out directly from Samokov, this town is considered to be the entrance point of Rila. Hikers pass through Samokov for the most popular areas of the mountain - Borovets, Moussala peak, and Malyovitsa.
