Itinerary

Day 1. Welcome meeting at Sofia airport and transfer to the town of Devin for overnight (3-3,30hrs drive).
Day 2. In the morning you will make your first walk in Rodopi Mountains – a delightful trail following the new eco-path with a number of bridges along Devinska River, taking some 2 hrs. Having walked this stage you will be picked up and transferred to the entrance of Yagodina Cave, where you will be able to take a cave tour of appr. 1 hr and have lunch at the restaurant by the river nearby (be prepared for a temperature of 6C inside the cave). From the cave short ascent brings you steadily to a nice scented pinewood, followed by the traditional tranquility of Yagodina village. Right after the village you will be able to walk through potato fields, barns, old farms, grid of lands under cultivation, which delivers a thorough impression of the local agriculture. From now on following the upper edges of Trigrad Gorge the trail continues through shady coniferous forest to the village of Trigrad (1250m a.s.l.), where you will be accommodated for the next 3 nights. (15km; uphill walk: 700 m; downhill walk: 350 m)
Day 3. Trekking to the remote tiny village of Vodni Pad that has been closed for visitors until not so long ago due to its proximity to the Greek border. It has been famous in the past as a base used by many people trying to escape in Greece through the mountains during the communism. This circular trail is well graded, again passing through pine forests dotted with glades, revealing on the other hand in the best way the typical rural way of life in this part of the mountains. The return hike is a real pleasure as you follow the riverbed of Trigradska River back to the village of Trigrad. (20 km; uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 450 m).
Day 4. More charming landscapes await you today as you take a new circuit walk, exploring another magnificent area around Trigrad. Once on top of the hill above the village you will have a great chance to enjoy vast meadows full with orchids in summer. Then a dirty road, heading upstearms of Livadnishka River will bring you to the ancient Chairski Lakes. Then you continue clockwise around the hill and through the village of Zhrebevo you end up in Trigrad again from the same place as you did the previous day. From here you can either continue to The Devil’s Throat Cave or just relax in your hotel. (22km; uphill walk: 800 m; downhill walk: 800 m)
Day 5. An early morning transfer takes you to Beden village which is the starting point for the day. While you walk your luggage will continue to your next overnight place – the village of Liaskovo, and will for you there. Today is probably the most panoramic day. As you walk up towards the Dry Peak ridge the trail weaves through rolling hills and meadows where you will find yourself facing a dilemma whether to enjoy them or the superb views of the mountains and the neighbouring ridges. The trek ends in Liaskovo. (24 km; uphill walk: 350 m; downhill walk: 315 m)
Day 6. Another quite dirty road, where you can easily spot a startled deer, will take you up and then down to the rocky phenomenon The Miraculous Bridges. The walk traces old coniferous woods dotted with tiny green meadows, where semi-wild horses graze. Once arriving at the nature wonder you will be picked up and transferred to the village of Kosovo, where you will stay overnight in a traditional and cozy mountain stone house. (13 km; uphill walk - 635 m; downhill walk - 200 m).
Day 7. In the morning you will have some free time after breakfast for a stroll along the charming cobbled streets and ancient houses of the village. Before noon you will be picked up again and transferred to Bachkovo Monastery where you will have appr. 1 hr for sightseeing before continuing further to Sofia, where you will be presumably around 15-16.00. The afternoon is free (also dinner is not included). A normal sightseeing tour on foot normally takes some 2-3 hrs and we highly recommend you to go for this option (you will get a map of the city with short notes on directions and what to see first).
Day 8. Transfer to the airport for departure (30min drive).

DETAILED ROAD BOOK AND MAP WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ARRIVAL