Rila Mountains

Avid hikers decamp to the 29 peaks of the Rila Mountains for access to two of Europe’s longest trail routes—the E4 and E8. Hikers with less time or stamina can opt for popular one-day excursions from Sofia, including guided treks to the Seven Rila Lakes and Mount Musala. Bike tours are another option during the warmer months, while winter brings prime snowshoeing conditions in the forests of Rila National Park.

Less athletic travelers can still enjoy the beauty of this epic mountain range with wine tasting in the Medi Valley or a soak in the medicinal hot mineral waters of Sapareva Banya. Outdoor adventure can be paired with a cultural visit to Rila Monastery—a stunning Eastern Orthodox monastery treasured for its colorful frescoes and ornately carved wood icons.

• For overnight stays, several family-run hotels are located in foothill villages like Govedartsi, Mala Tsarkva, and Madzhare.
• Snowshoeing guides are highly recommended due to backcountry conditions and the threat of avalanches.
• If hiking, be prepared with sturdy shoes, plenty of food and water, and emergency supplies.
• Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains, so dress in layers.

Public transit from Sofia to the Rila Mountains is available during the peak summer hiking season, but typically requires a lengthy bus or shuttle ride, and at least one transfer to access trailheads. All guided tours include transportation.

June–August is the peak hiking and biking season—when the weather is warmest and trail conditions are dry. The changing colors of fall foliage begin in September, while January–March is the best time for snowshoeing.

Bulgaria's largest monastery and a cultural jewel—Rila Monastery is also one of the most-visited sites in southeastern Europe, thanks to its distinctive architecture nestled in the glorious alpine setting of the Rila Mountains. The site dates to the 10th century, but the current monastery was built in the 19th century with Ottoman-influenced striped columns and domes. Gilded ceiling frescoes represent the peak of the so-called “Bulgarian Renaissance,” while a museum houses relics like Rafail's Cross—a wooden icon carved with hundreds of miniature scenes and figures.