The first thing that makes impression when one flights over Bulgaria is the magnificent mountain massifs unfolding as far as the horizon. Another thing that will most certainly seize your attention is the country’s eye-pleasing verdure. Unlike other far more urbanized nooks on the Old Continent, Bulgaria’s mountains have preserved a large part of their natural riches. If you want to take a closer view of their unruly beauty, you will have to ford across the mountains on foot. You will need good tourist equipment, a stack of maps, some free time… and inextinguishable adventure spirit. If all of these conditions are present, you are most probably ready to join an initiative of the Bulgarian Tourism Association /BTA/ entitled “ Conqueror of the 10 mountain tops”.

Bulgaria has 35 mountains varying in scale, relief, flora and fauna. Every one of these massifs are crowned by a number of picturesque peaks that compete in height, mysticism and challenging nature. Still, as experienced, well informed and strong you may be, you will hardly manage to climb them all! Therefore, you’d better head for Bulgaria’s most beautiful and accessible summits. Such a strategy is assumed by the participants in the BTA’s initiative, which encourages people to climb the highest peaks in some of Bulgaria’s best-known mountains. Before embarking on this adventure, you need to get a special card. Then, once having conquered the summits, you will have your card sealed in the nearest tourist centre that will award you an honorary diploma and a gold badge. In addition, you will have the right to participate in an annual lottery with various prizes, such as a motorbike and a mountain bike. Interestingly, for nearly 4 decades now, the initiative has enjoyed a lot of interest from both Bulgarian and foreign tourists, for whom Bulgaria’s mountains are irresistibly challenging. Until the late 90s, the initiative included 7 mountain champions. However, after Bulgarian authorities lifted a communist-time regulation strictly limiting any visits to borderline areas, another 3 tops that soar on Bulgaria’s western borders were included in the BTA’s initiative. These are the top of Ruy /1706 m/ in the mountain of the same name, Gotzev Peak /2212 m/ in the mountain of Slavyanka, as well as the champion of Belasitza Mountain- Radomir /2029 m./.

“Eight of the peaks are more than 2000 m high and require better equipment and experience”, Georgi Karpachev from the Bulgarian Tourism Association said and added:
“In our selection of the 10 mountain peaks, we have made sure that there are reliable mountain houses and track markings on the way. What is more, there are towns and villages nearby, which can be a good starting point for the journey and where people can find food and shelter. Another important criterium is good public transport in the areas. For all of the 10 peaks, there are special tourist maps, as well as detailed information for routes and accommodation possibilities”, Georgi Karpachev went on to say.

Generally, the 10 mountaintops are easily accessible and can be climbed by less experienced tourists. Mussala /2925/, the highest peak in the Rila Mountain, as well as in the Balkans, is the most attractive destination. There is a cable car at the mountain’s foot and even in wintertime you will meet a flock of tourists eager to climb the Balkan champion. The highest peak in the Pirin Mountain, Vihren /2914/, is by far more difficult to beat. One of the passes leading to it goes through a col called The Horse. When it is not wrapped in fog, the narrow rock pass, which is 150 m in length, opens on both sides mind-boggling vistas of the mountain’s lower parts. Passing through The Horse is skipping-a-beat experience, but the satisfaction you get after leaving this seemingly invincible obstacle behind is immense.


“Everyone who climbs these tops can assume that they have got an idea about Bulgaria and its big mountain riches!”, Georgi Karpachev said further. “The initiative has a more sporty spirit and is often taken by mountaineers with confidence, some experience and good equipment. Yet, quite a few people are already doing the 10-peak climbing, too. Interestingly, some people are showing a growing interest in climbing the tops in wintertime, which is far more difficult and requires very good skills”, Georgi Karpachev from the Bulgarian Tourism Association said in conclusion.

Climbing the 10 peaks is not only a physical test, but also a deep spiritual journey that purifies the soul. You come back reborn and charged with positive energy, conquerors of the most emblematic Bulgarian peaks share. 


English version: Vyara Popova
Photos: provided by Rumyana Tsvetkova