Outdoor Activities

• Skiing and snowboarding in Panichishte - see details under Panichishte on this unique ski resort
• Tracks for sleigh contests
• Flora and Fauna - exceptional variety of species to be discovered
• Hiking - many of the most popular hiking trails on Rila start or pass through Panichishte. Trails to the Seven Rila Lakes, Skakavica Reserve and Waterfall, Malyovitsa, Borovets and the the Rila Monastery.
• Hiking Trails of Northwestern Rila
  
  Sapareva Banya - Panichishte - Skakavitza - The Seven Lakes - Rila Monastery

A Brief Description of the Rila Mountian Range:

Rila is the highest mountain range 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.

1/  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. ).
2/  Middle Rila
It is the smallest part of the mountain - only 9 % of the whole 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.
3/  North-Western Rila
This part of Rila occupies 24% of the area. The highest peak is Goliam Koupen (2731 m.) Next is Malyovitsa (2730 m). Malyovitsa is the prized centre for Bulgaria's alpinism and mountaineering.
4/  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

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 30 mintes by road from Sapareva Banya and 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 1,390 meters above the sea level (with highest ski runs at 2,600m) Borovets is a perfect place for relaxation and recreation for the visiting tourists. There is a regular bus route to Samokov. Major hiking routes starting from here are to the Moussala peak ( 6 hrs), to Sitnyakovo Palace (1.30 h.rs), Chakur Voyvoda chalet (2.30 hrs.), to Saragyol Palace (3 hrs.) and to Maritsa chalet (4.30 hrs.).

Malyovitsa
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 hrs.), to Ribni Ezera chalet (9-10 hrs.), to Rila Monastery (6 hrs.), to 7 Rilski Ezera (Lakes) chalet (5 to 8 hrs depending on the route). 


Other hiking start points: 

In addition to setting out from Borovets, Malyovitsa and the Rila Monastery, there are many tourist hiking routes setting out points from many other settlements and resort related zones.
The village of Govedartsi - it is connected by regular bus transport links to Samokov (14 km) and Sofia (74 km). Marked footpaths start from here to the Mechit Chalet (2 to 2.30 hours) and the Ovnarsko Tourist Base (2 hours), from which one can further explore the inner parts of Rila.
The Dolna Banya Resort is situated at the distance of 4 to 5 km south of the town of the same name, which is connected by a regularly running bus transport to Samokov (30 km), Borovets (20 km) and the nearby railway station of Kostenets (8 km). The Gerginitsa Chalet is located within the resort itself and there is a marked footpath leading to the Venetitsa Chalet (a 2 hours-walk). Various footpath routes round Eastern Rila set out from it.

The resort of Kostenets is situated at the distance of 9 km of the railway station of the same name, linked to it by regular bus transport. Two marked footpaths set out from here - to the Belmeken Chalet (4.30 to 5 hours’ walk) and to the Gourgoulitsa Chalet (1.30 hours), which also branches into different directions further on.

The resort of Yundola - at the distance of 16 km from Velingrad, 26 km south from Septemvri and at the distance of 25 km from Yakoruda, connected by regular bus transport to them. A marked footpath route for the Kourtovo Chalet (3 hours) and for the sports town beside the Belmeken Dam Lake (4.30 hours) sets out from it. The Yundola Pass and the resort respectively is the link between the Rila and the Rhodopes and the combined routes for the great Bulgarian mountains pass from here.

The town of Yakoruda - in the valley of the Mesta River, at the narrow-gauge railway line Septemvri - Dobrinishte. One can walk from here for 3 hours to the chalet and the resort of Treshtenik in Eastern Rila.

The town of Belitsa - is situated at the distance of 18 km south-west of Yakoruda. It is as departure point for the chalet and the resort of Semkovo (4 hours) in Central Rila, as well as for Macedonia Chalet (6 to 7 hours) in South-Western Rila.

The Predela (Limit) Saddle, where there is a small resort and tourist chalet. It is situated at the distance of 24 km from Simitli and at the distance of 14 km from Razlog. A lot of busses regularly running in both directions pass from here. The saddle is a border between Rila and Pirin and is often used as an interim point for combined hiking routes in our highest and most beautiful mountains. One can set out for the Macedonia Chalet in Rila from Predela (8 hours).

Blagoevgrad - the largest populated point at the foothill of Rila. It is connected to Sofia and the remaining parts of the country by bus and railway transport. One can get from this town to Macedonia and Chakalitsa Chalets in South-Western Rila for about one day.

Dupnitsa also a big town located at the north-western foothill of the mountain, linked by bus and railway transport to Sofia and the country. One can set out from the nearby villages of Bistritsa, Samoranovo and Resilovo to Ivan Vazov, Otovitsa and Skakavitsa Chalets.

Separeva Banya Resort, situated at the distance of about 20 km east of the town of Doupnitsa, is linked by a regular bus transport to it. The hottest mineral spring in Bulgaria is here - 103.8°С. It is a starting point for the resort of Panishishte - 1.30 hours along the marked footpath and 10 km along the road. A lot of marked footpath routes go further from Panichishte to the Pionerska, Lovna, Skakavitsa, Rilski Ezera (Rila Lakes), the 7 Lakes, Ivan Vazov, Vada, Malyovitsa Chalets, etc.
The village of Klisura is located in the Klisoura Saddle, a border between Rila and Verila. It is situated at the distance of 25 km from Doupnitsa and at the distance of 15 km from Samokov and is linked to them by bus transport. The popular route through the 4 mountains: Vitosha, Verila, Rila and Pirin passes from here. From Klisoura one can get to the Vada Chalet for 5 hours and to the Lovna Chalet for 5.30 hours through the lowest part of Rila - Lakatishka Rila.

Although there is no foot route setting out directly from Samokov, this little town situated at the northern foothill of the mountain is considered to be the entrance gate of Rila. One passes through Samokov for the most popular areas of the mountain - Borovets, Moussala, and Malyovitsa.
Almost all Rila chalets offer in summer something to eat, cooked warm food included.


From the Tourist Information Center in Sapareva Banya, follow the RED trail signs to the Rila National Park (R.N.P.) Visitors Center in Panichishte (45 min.). If you are pressed for time, take one of the regular microbuses from the Sapareva Banya Tourist Information Center to either Pionerska Lodge or the R.N.P. Visitors Center, depending on your choice of the two following trails.

From Panichishte there are two common trails that will eventually lead you to the Rila Lakes. The first and shorter of the trails leads you through the Skakavitza Reserve and Waterfall. From the R.N.P. Visitors Center follow the International Trail E-4 (RED) signs for 2 hours to the Skakavitza Lodge (the oldest in Bulgaria). The waterfall lies twenty minutes away from the lodge off of the E-4 Trail. Continuing on from the lodge, follow the GREEN trail for 1 hour until you reach the The Seven Lakes Lodge. You will encounter an option to follow the RED path which will lead you directly to the third lake (The Kidney). Continuing on you will pass the remaining lakes, then continue down the southern side of the cirque to reach Ivan Vazov lodge. From the deviation on the RED path, to Ivan Vazov lodge is approximately 2 and one half hours.

The other path leading from Panichishte to the Seven Lakes passes the Pionerska Lodge and lift base. From the R.N.P. Visitors Center to Pionerska, follow the road directly behind the Center to the left for one hour. Passing the lift base, look for the E-4 (RED) signs along the path that will lead you off to the right. This path will connect with the YELLOW path and largely follows the service road. Hiking from Pionerska to the Seven Lakes will take approximately 2 hours.

From the Seven Lakes Lodge to the uppermost lake (The Tear) it will take you one hour. From this lake you will again follow the RED path to the central trail post where all trails meet. From here to Ivan Vazov it is a little under one hour. From the central marker you will follow the RED path for 4 or 5 hours, mostly steep downhill hiking, to the Rila Monastery where accommodations and transportation are readily available.

• Mountain climbing - Alpine like contours of the mountain and the presence of steep alpine walls of Zlya zab, Orlovets and others, (among which the Northern wall of Malyovitsa peak is the most difficult one) make the mountain preferable place for extreme sports
• Football, volley ball, basketball in the "Dry lake" training area.
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Hunting
• Fishing

FISHING

In the Sapareva Banya region there are many small dams and ponds many of them are rented at a rate of approximately 5lv per rod or person.

For fish you catch you need to pay separately. There are carp, grass carp, canal catfish and some of them can be kept such as pike and trout.

For free fishing go to the Struma river-closest to Sapareva Banya this makes for an excellent trip.You can enjoy all types of fishing and most important you can do it all year, even in winter when there are nice catches of Barbell and similar fish.

When spring comes chub fishing also starts to take bait but also can be caught on spinning, float or fly fishing.

if you go more southern at Kresna canyon can start looking for carp and catfish-it’s a normal Cat Fish and can become real big 40kg+.

Close to Greace in Struma equal to carp and catfish trip can be made pike fishing. River Mesta is also close to the village and also can provide good fishing for barbell, chub, carp and pike. There is good dam south from Sapareva Banya called “Studena” half of it is forbidden to fish but other part can give nice and fun fishing, dam is rich on Caras, Carp, Perch, Dise not often but with prober bait and tackle you can catch great trout with sizes often exceeding 2kg.

There are some dams in Rodopi mountain that are very good for fishing but  they are around 150km + away from village(if you need info about them let me know). 

Permits to Fish - at not pay t ofish lakes, dam’s, lake’s you need to have fishing license that you buy from local fishing agency or order from some fishing shop. Permission that you can order can be for 1 week, 1 month, 6 month’s or 1 year.

Prices are from 4 to 5 lv per week ticket up to 27 for 1 year. From 2008 you need to pay also something like donation to local fishing club ( the idea is that those clubs will refish ponds, guard them from people that bomb, netting or try to do some illegal fishing).

Contact www.BlowFish-bg.com  for more details. Their contact from IARA ( Bulgarian fishing agency) has insured them for all their clients whatever their fishing club is. As always please find out the local regulations from a club as certain fish and size will be forbidden.

VENUE REVIEW: Taking on the summit
10:00 Fri 18 Jul 2008 - Becky Stacey , Sofia Echo

Waking up, the summer sun shining through our bedroom window, feeling refreshed and ready to go after a carbohydrate-filled dinner and an early night in, we slowly get out of bed. That’s when it hits, the aches and pains of the previous two days spent hiking through Rila National Park. And today, the last in our weekend break from Sofia, is the trek up to Mount Musala, the highest peak in the Balkan peninsula, standing at 2925m.

We arrived at our home away from home, Rila Lodge Guest House in Dospei, only minutes from Samokov and 10km from Borovets, on a Thursday night. It is a highly recommended bed and breakfast for weekend breaks all year round, and a perfect base for the subsequent days of trekking…but that is another story.

The first day consisted of a trek, about six hours, to Mt Malyovitsa, 2729m, starting from Maliovitsa Hotel, near the entrance to Rila National Park, and back. The second day, another six-hour-plus trek, started at Vada, taking us through Sedemte Ezera, 2535m, the Seven Lakes.

Opening our Rila Mountain map, a translated English/German map purchased at Maliovitsa Hotel for 5.40 leva, my partner and I decided to tackle the Mt Musala summit starting from a trek marked opposite Beli Iskar River, about a 25-minute drive down a narrow, single-lane road from Beli Iskar. The drive alongside the river and Rila forests is a relaxing, picturesque one, for the passenger that is. The driver has the arduous task of manoeuvering the car throughout the copious potholes in the road and between the active oncoming traffic. We were both taken aback, though not surprised, by the condition of the road. Being such a popular tourist and local attraction, with numerous walking stations and picnic areas to the side, we assumed the roads would be better maintained.

What wasn’t marked on the map, however, was the police barricade 15 minutes into the drive. A small “politsiya” hut and barrier gate blocked the road. Although our Bulgarian is limited, we managed to work out the word, забранено – prohibited, and decided to turn around.

Our next calling point was Borovets ski resort. By the time we arrived and parked it was already 11.30am and as much as my naturally fit and eager partner would have liked to walk from the resort to the top, I persuaded him to get a return ticket for the gondola. A single ticket costs six leva, with a one-way return ticket at nine leva, and instead of a four-hour trek to Yastrebets, 2369m, the gondola only takes 35 minutes, well worth the money.

The signposts, located about every two kilometres showing a map of various trek options, are weatherworn and some had been dislodged completely from the posts. But the treks were palpable, and along the way, every 10m or so, either a rock or a post with colored arrows would mark the way – red for walks, blue for lakes. With the help of our Rila Mountain map, we worked out which trek we’d take.

The first leg of the walk is surprisingly flat, taking you to Musala lodge. It is the perfect part of the trek to truly take in the wonders of the Balkans. The greenery and fresh pine air is a wonderful change from the city smog. From here, it’s hard to believe you’re less than three hours away.

According to some internet sites, and from what we could make out on the signs, this walk will take you one hour. However, if you’re a keen mountaineer, it will only take about 40 minutes. This is the case with most of the estimated times, obviously aimed at the average walker, not the fitness extremist. In saying that, during winter it would take you a bit longer. On arrival, there were about 30 people sitting at the picnic tables available outside Musala lodge, enjoying hot soup, banitsa and coffee purchased from the small cafe there. Toilets along the trek are, obviously, scarce, so take this opportunity to go. If you plan to use the toilets here, take your own toilet paper…and maybe a peg.

About 50m from the lodge is a small lake. And this is where the scenery becomes even more miraculous. Forty or so wild horses were surrounding the lake. Close enough to touch them, and take a few National Geographic-worthy shots, we made our way to the start of the steep ascent. The path we took, the left of the two routes to the right of the lake, was obviously a harder choice, having only seen a handful of other trekkers, over boulders and on hands and knees, which eventually meets up with the more popular trail.

Although it is a steep walk, people of all ages and fitness levels were attempting and completing the climb. Some areas were quite steep and narrow, and there were areas still covered with snow, so a good pair of hiking boots and thermals for the top is recommended.

Once there, about an hour from the lodge for the keen and an hour and a half for the normal, you have a 360-degree view of the Balkan range. There were numerous people at the top, a cafe available, and even two tourists sunbaking. Everyone seemed in high spirits.

Although the highest point, the trek itself, if you take the gondola, was the easiest of the three days. I can’t explain the feeling you get of achieving Mt Musala’s summit, overlooking the unspoilt natural sceneries of the Balkans.

It is well worth a summer weekend away.