Balkan Trail
Are you dreaming of a ride along ancient trails over impressive mountains, through waste mountain pass, along running water and roar waterfall? And further in the wonderful mountain scenery crossing the pasture to small hidden and forgotten villages. Every day is absolutely unique and the riding experiences are in top.
This ride is for riders wishing to try everything. This is possible because we here combine trekking from place to place with our riding bases in the mountains.
The tour is following the ancient trails that for hundreds of years have connected north Bulgaria with the south: From the little town Apriltsi on the north side of the Balkan Mountains where riding centre ”Balkan” is situated, up the mountains to the top of Mt. Botev (2376 m) through the cosy town Kalofer with interesting architecture and old monasteries. It continues through the Valley of Roses to the Sredna Gora mountains and the mountain chalet Svezhen built in 1100 m high over the village with the same name and where our summer base is placed.
Every day brings new challenges, new terrains, new experiences. The Balkan trail is an adventurous riding holiday bringing horse and rider far far away. The daily rides are from 6 to 8 hours. And as a special highlight 2 overnights are in the same mountain chalet in riding center “The Valley of Roses”. This is giving the riders a possibility to share a whole day with the horses in the mountains – to ride gallop through the fantastic meadows on the top of the Sredna Gora Mountains .
Day by day program
Day 1 |
Meeting with the landlord/landlady in the airport and drive to the mountains. |
Day 2 |
In the morning the riders choose their horse in in Riding base ”Balkan” and you ride out in the wonderful terrains around the little town of Apriltsi . After lunch the trek is starting and you ride up in mountains roughly 3 hours to the first chalet. |
Day 3 |
The trail continues through the National park over the Balkan Mountains and Mt. Botev and from this high the Mariza plains open up the horizons. After 6-7 hours ride the day end at a small monastery where the riders and horse will find a rest for the night. |
Day 4 |
In the morning we have time to explore the monastery and life in the small town. After lunch the trail is passing through the Valley of Roses ” and after nearly 5 hours we are over the Sredna Gora Mountains where we will overnight in the chalet Svezhen. |
Day 5 |
The whole day is for riding in the terrains around the Riding base “The Valley of Roses”. Play, fun and games with the horses – a ride to the village – relax at the edge of a small lake. In the fantastic meadows you have all possibilities to break into trot or gallop or to be a pathfinder together with the riding guide in the waste surroundings. |
Day 6 |
After breakfast we are facing north through other trails and after nearly 7 hours we reach the place where we will overnight. |
Day 7 |
We continue over the mountains to Apriltsi where it all started. After 6 hours ride you can see the stables and the ring making the trail is about to finish. |
Day 8 |
Breakfast and good-bye to the horses. Free time until departure for the airport. |
From Apriltsi and Riding base ”Balkan”.
Here the trail starts and ends. Apriltsi is real small town with a square, shops, a school etc. The town is placed with the most beautiful sights to the Balkan Mountains. The marvellous sceneries inspire the many craftsmen who have settled down here. It is here riding centre “Balkan” is and it is here our horses have their home. Before the trail is starting we ride out in the surroundings and get a sense of the mountains we will cross over during the trail. A real riding experience.
..... and it’s only partly a description of the adventure waiting for you.
Read more about Riding base “Balkan”.
The Nature
 The trail over the Balkan Mountains is taking horse and rider through a nature protected area. The air is as clean as the pure springs we ride along – and the sceneries are remarkable – nothing less. The central part of the Balkan Mountains is a part of the big National park and everything is under the control of the rangers. Here you find a unique fauna and flora under the protection of UNESCO. Many species are totally preserved and only to find in this spot on earth. The National park is covering 716 square km. Two third of the area is covered with old beech wood and a fantastic wildlife among then many rare birds and bats. The last third is alpine pasture. Geologically the area has interesting rocks, impressive rock walls and canyons. Here you find caves up to 337 m deep and picturesque waterfalls. A real nature adventure.
..... and this is only a part of the fantastic area we ride through.
Read more about Riding base “The Valley of Roses”.
The culture
Where people are you also find culture. And where people have been for a long time you also find traditions. Exactly that kind of town is Kalofer. Here you really feel the typical Bulgarian atmosphere of solidarity with the nature. Founded in the middle of the 1600 and with a rich and exiting history from the time when the Turks ravaged the Balkans. The legend tells about the founder Kalofer that he made an agreement with the Turkish sultan about guarding the mountain pass if on the other hand the sultan could guarantee that no shoed horse or weapon would enter the town.
Today nearly 5000 inhabitants live on the hillside of Mt. Botev . The traditional handcrafts are still upheld, the many small churches are used for their purpose and the mountains hide more monasteries. A real cultural pearl.
... and this is only a part of the cultural events waiting.
Read more about Riding base “The Valley of Roses”.
 From Svezhen and riding base ”The Valley of Roses”.
On day 5 we are in the heart of the Sredna Gora Mountains. The riding base is situated in 1100 m over sea level and about 1 hour on the horseback from the village with the same name. The village Svezhen is like a living ethnographical museum and you get the feeling that time has stopped many years ago. Today Svezhen is announced an architectural and historic reserve. We have a whole day to visit the inn, the bakery, the grocer or just to look at the life. But the day in the riding base also means a whole day to ride in the fantastic area. The relatively expanse terrains and open meadows just invite to ride in every pace.
Depending on the weather it will be possible to swim in the mountain lake. The rides and activities are arranged according the wishes in the party. And id you really cannot live without the temptations from the big city and the shop-aholic is knocking on the door the second largest city Plovdiv is only 1-1½ hour away. Plovdiv has plenty of shops, café’s, pubs and restaurants.
...and this is only a part of the adventure waiting for you.
Read more about Riding base “The Valley of Roses”.
About the accommodation, food & drink.
The Balkan Trail is based on 7 nights. 2 nights with private accommodation in Apriltsi, 2 nights in the chalet in riding base “The Valley of Roses” and 3 nights en route in the mountains. The trail is with full board during stay and only beer, wine and alcoholics are paid on spot. The luggage is transported in a supporting vehicle and the riding guide is accompanying the party throughout the trail.
Periods: Balkan Trail is starting on following dates in 2009: 2/5 – 9/5 - 16/5 – 23/5 – 30/5 - 6/6 – 20/6 - 27/6 – 11/7 – 25/7 – 1/8 – 15/8 - 22/8 - 29/8 - 5/9 - 12/9.
Price: EUR 840 – more details here
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