Trail to ”Singing Rocks Reserve”.
 We are in the Balkan Range and in the eastern part of The Central Balkan National Park you find a reserve of 1700 hectares in Bulgarian called “Peeshti Skali” and in English “Singing Rocks”.
The reserve is high up in the mountains and is characterized by – as the name indicates: By the singing rocks. The Singing Rocks themselves are a set of unique natural formations that crown the ancient beech forest. For centuries the place has been known under this name, but probably because the locals at exactly this place have heart sounds from the rocks as if the rocks are singing in the wind. In this reserve you’ll find rare animals as the chamois, the brown bear, and the golden eagle. Also roe deer, red deer, wild boar, wild cat and a big amount of rare birds are living in this area. The riding to the reserve is very varying as to the terrain and pace. The hilly paths and the open land on the top of the mountains are just created for big riding experiences.
From Aprilzy and Riding base”Balkan”.
 Here the trail starts and ends. Aprilzy 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 marvelous sceneries inspire the many craftsmen who have settled down here. It is here riding center “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”.
Central Balkan National Park
The trail in the Balkan Mountains is going through a protected area. The air is as clean as the creek we ride through – over – along. And the view to the highest peaks in the long range is just marvelous. After a few days you will get familiar with the peaks Mt. Botev (2376m), Maragidik, Mazalat a.o. You will experience who the Balkan range is dividing Bulgaria into a northern and a southern part and after a while you understand the Bulgarian name of the Balkan range “Stara planina” meaning “the old mountain”. You can read a lot more about the National park and the reserve “The singing Rocks” via our links.
Day by day program
Day 1 |
Meeting with the landlord/landlady in the airport and drive to the mountains. Private accommodation in double rooms. Dinner. |
Day 2 |
In the morning the riders choose their horse in the riding center”Balkan” and you ride out in the wonderful terrains around the little town of Aprilzy . We ride about 10 km and we will have a picnic near one of the rivers. After lunch and a rest we ride back to Riding base Balkan in different paces. We overnight in Aprilzy. |
Day 3 |
The trail starts in the morning and we ride in eastern direction through remote villages. At a creek well eat our lunch and after about 5 hours in the saddles we reach the little village of Lakat. Here we overnight in “Villa Rositsa” in double rooms with own shower and toilet. If the weather allows we will have dinner in the terrace. |
Day 4 |
From Lakat we ride to the south through wood and farm land and we pass 3 creeks. Lunch we enjoy in the terrain and as the terrain is perfect for all paces the riding guide will lead you in the best possible way. We’ll ride about 22 km in about 5 hours and in the afternoon we will reach the mountain hut “Partisanska pesen” (meaning the song of the partisan). Double rooms with shower and toilet in 1000 m. |
| Day 5 |
From the mountain hut “Partisanska pesen” we ride west on the top of the Balkan range. We ride into the “Central Balkan National Park” and after about 1½ hours ride we are at mountain hut “Mazalat, where we eat the lunch. After lunch into the reserve “The singing rocks” – and if the wind is blowing we’ll hear the rocks sing. Through the reserve there are two small distances of 10-20 meter where you have to stay off and lead the horse. Today you’ll ride about 25 km in 7 hours. This makes it the longest day. We overnight in the mountain hut “Smesite” in 1427 m. 2-3 bedded rooms and shower/toilet on the floor. We enjoy the dinner at the fire and watch the sun going down behind the mountain peaks. |
| Day 6 |
This day is totally devoted to riding in the “Central Balkan National Park”. Explore the park on a horse back or on feet. Meet one of the rangers passing by. He will inform about the flora and fauna and tell about where you can get the big nature adventure. Together with the riding guide you plan the day. How many hours, at what time – etc. You arrange on spot. Possibility to ride to the mysterious mount Maragidik (1889m). |
| Day 7 |
After breakfast we ride in the northern direction and the circle ride is closed. We ride down the mountains, leave the national park and come down in Aprilzy. The ride of the day is about 5 hours and we end in Riding base Balkan. We will overnight in the same house as the first 2 nights. |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast and good-bye to the horses. Free time until departure for the airport. |
About the accommodation, food & drink.
 The trail is based on 7 nights. 3 nights with private accommodation in Aprilzy, 4 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.
Period:
The trail to “Singing Rocks Reserve” is possible from mid May to mid October.
The weather:
It is always changeable in the mountains. The difference between the temperature in the night and during the day might be rather big and even on the very best summer day you must bring jacket and the rain gear.
Period:
Trail to ”Singing Rocks Reserve” in 2009: 13/6 – 4/7 – 18/7 – 8/8 – 19/9 – 26/9 – 3/10 – 10/10 – 17/10
Price: EUR 840 – Read more here.
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