Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains

The adventure begins at Terminal 2 in Sofia Airport (Terminal 2), where we meet the leader, before a transfer to the remote village of Yagodina, our base for the next six nights. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (D).

Setting off on foot from the village of Zmeitsa, we follow an ancient Roman road through meadows, forests and fields, where we might see local people engaged in their traditional agricultural lifestyle. Finally, having descended a broad grassy ridge spur, with spectacular views over Yagodina, we drop steeply into the Buinovo Gorge where our minibus will be waiting. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

After breakfast, we drive to the neighbouring Trigrad gorge, where we make a short pause to scan the towering cliffs for the elusive wallcreeper, a delightful bird that flutters around like a butterfly on the rock faces, flashing strikingly crimson wings. We then spend the rest of the day hiking through the rugged heart of the Trigrad karst plateau. Following a maze of traditional trails and tracks, we thread our way through this wonderfully picturesque wilderness, rewarded by an ever-changing succession of landscapes and vistas. The region has been designated a Prime Butterfly Area, on account of the numerous rare species that can be found here. It also boasts outstanding flora, including many endemic species. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

After breakfast, we set off in our bus for a 90 minutes' drive east into the highest part of the Rodopi Mountains. Having reached the end of the driveable road, we begin a wonderfully panoramic hike along the main ridge of the Rodopi Mountains. First, we skirt just below the military base on the summit of the Rodopi's highest peak Mt. Golyam Perelik (2191m), before ascending Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), just two metres lower!

Having enjoyed the expansive views from the rolling open pastures, we then start to drop down into the forest, making a long descent to the tiny, picturesquely situated village of Gela, which according to legend was the birthplace of Orpheus. Here we will be met by our bus for the drive back to Yagodina. Occasionally, during May, late-lying snow makes it impossible to traverse the flank of Mt. Golyam Perelik, so instead the leader will arrange an alternative lower-altitude walk in the mountains south of Yagodina. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

Having finished the previous day's walk in the village of Gela, the supposed birthplace of Orpheus, we continue with the Orphic theme today, by following in his footsteps to the site of an ancient Thracian sanctuary where Orpheus is believed to have met his death. As well as being steeped in a fascinating mix of myth and mystery, todays walk also offers some lovely remote walking, where we share our trail with wolves and deer, and can often hear the eerie cries of black woodpeckers echoing through the forest, adding to the excitement and magical atmosphere. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

For our final day in Yagodina, we make a full day's circular walk starting and finishing at our hotel. Our route makes a circuit of Mt. Durdaga, a high wooded peak that rises directly above the village. During the course of our walk, we pass through a large variety of habitats with extremely rich flora and fauna. During the first half of the day, we wander through forests and meadows, that are foraging regions for brown bears and wild boars. Later, in the afternoon, we then return to Yagodina along the line of a former Roman road. This runs high above the Trigrad Gorge, offering not only offers outstanding views but a wealth of wildflowers, as this is also one of the most renowned botanic trails in the country. Stay: Yagodina Family Hotel (or similar) (B/L/D).

Before making the long transfer back to the Bulgarian capital, we have the chance to enjoy two final short, but highly picturesque nature walks. Having had breakfast and said our farewells to the staff at the hotel, we set off on foot, picking up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for its great variety of orchids. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to the river and road where we meet our bus, for a 45 minute drive to the town of Devin.

Here we start our second walk of the day, following a delightful, specially-constructed nature trail along the valley of the Devinska Reka. As well as being extremely photogenic in its own right, the trail passes through another Prime Butterfly Area, offering the chance to see yet more rare and beautiful species. After a picnic lunch by the river, we then make our way back to the bus, before completing the final transfer (3 hours 30 minutes) back to Sofia. Stay: Boutique Hotel Crystal Palace (or similar) (B/L/D).

This trip draws to a close after breakfast. If you want to spend a bit more time in the city after our walking adventures, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).