Stob Pyramids
Rila
The Stob Pyramids, a series of earth and sandstone pinnacles formed by national erosion, lie close to the village of Stob in the foothills of the Rila Mountains. These photogenic rock formations make for pleasant hiking and are a popular stop-off on the way to the Rila Monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While there are bus connections from Sofia via the town of Blagoevgrad, most travelers visit the Stob Pyramids either by self-driving or by joining a tour. Tours often visit the pyramids and the Rila Monastery, a 10th-century edifice under 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the east, or even the Rila Mountains, known for the Seven Rila Lakes.
There’s a small charge for entry but the trail is well signposted and independent travelers won’t feel the need for a guide. It’s possible to hike either 10 minutes to the first set of pyramids or a full route that takes a bit over an hour depending on fitness levels.
- Don’t confuse the Stob Pyramids with the Melnik Pyramids, which lie around 60 miles (97 kilometers) to the north.
- Parents will want to keep an eye on kids as there are steep drops by the path.
- Wear close toed shoes and bring water in summer as there is none along the trail.
- The hiking route to the Stob Pyramids is not suitable for travelers who use wheelchairs, but there is a viewpoint with road access.
Stob lies in southwestern Bulgaria, in the foothills of the Rila Mountains, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the regionally important town of Blagoevgrad and 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Sofia. While there are several buses a day from Blagoevgrad, which has regular connections to Sofia, the journey from Sofia takes over three hours each way. Most travelers opt to join a tour or rent a car.
The Stob Pyramids are open from morning to early evening year-round, with shorter hours in winter and longer hours in summer. Many travelers like to visit at sunset, when the light turns the sandstone into shades of brilliant orange and creates spectacular photos. The site is rarely over-crowded.
Bulgarians love to hike, and the country’s rock formations make excellent destinations to spend time in the open air. The Melnik Pyramids are an array of pale sandstone spikes close to the Greek border. The Wonderful Bridges, near Zabardo, are a series of natural rock bridges that make for spectacular photo ops. Hiking routes also thread the dramatic pinnacles known as the Belogradchik Rocks
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