The western part of the Rhodopes where the ride takes place, offers a variety of terrains in which one can experience all types of riding and paces. You will visit remote villages, and stay with locals enjoying their hospitality, local food, and excellent wines. You will also spend some time in Plovdiv, Europe's oldest inhabited city and the 2019 European Capital of Culture.
Itinerary
Day 1: Sofia
Arrive at Sofia Airport (SOF) and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Sofia - Brestovitsa - Plovdiv
After breakfast at the hotel, you are heading to the base in Brestovitsa at the foot of the Rhodope mountain (10 kilometers from Plovdiv). Here, you will meet your horses and do a short loop-like ride. While riding, you will pass through meadows and forests. According to the season, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the ripe fruits in the area and meet the local people, who work in the fields. Transfer to Plovdiv for overnight.
- Riding time: approximately 3 hours
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 3: Plovdiv - Brestovitsa - Dedevo or Boikovo
After breakfast, you are heading back to the base in Brestovitsa from where you will start today's ride. Passing through green pastures and picturesque villages, you will reach the village of Dedevo overnight. Alternatively, you can take a slightly different route and spend the night in another charming mountain village, Boikovo.
- Riding time: approximately 6 - 7 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Dedevo - Orehovo
Today you are heading to the village of Orehovo, one of the most picturesque ones on the mountain. Today's ride will take about six hours. On the way, you will stop for lunch near the scenic region of Bash Mandra.
- Riding time: approximately 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Orehovo - Orehovo
Today you will ride through pine forests and vast meadows. You will take a short stop at the unique rock formation Chudnite Mostove (Miraculous Bridges). You will spend a second night in Orehovo in a local family-run guesthouse. (hours in the saddle: ~6); B/L/D
- Riding time: approximately 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Orehovo - Vruhovruh
Today you are heading south and up in the mountains to the small resort of Varhovruh. Following the Varhovrah ridge, you will enjoy the great panorama views before reaching Persenk hut, where you will stop for lunch.
- Riding time: approximately 3 - 4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Vruhovruh - Brestovitsa - Sofia
Time to get back. First, you are heading back to the base in Brestovitsa. Then you are continuing with a transfer back to Sofia where you will spend the night.
- Riding time: approximately 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, drive to Sofia Airport (SOF) for departure.
Good to know
- Recommended travel period of the year: April - October
- Riders need to be fit and capable of being comfortable with trots and canters in open countryside
- There is a minimum age of 12 for children on this trail
- Maximum weight limit is 90 kilograms
- Horse Riding Bulgaria recommends bringing your own riding hat. There are some available ones to borrow, but there are limited sizes. Hats are not mandatory in Bulgaria.
- You are welcome to groom your horse if you like but saddling is not required as this will be done by your guide