Adventure Activities
Bulgaria's mountain regions offer an excellent opportunity for either nature-oriented or activity holidays. Although maybe lacking the height and excitement of Mount
Everest, the vastness of the Grand Canyon and the impenetrable unknown of the Amazon jungle, they have their own special charm: tailor-made for today's tourist who looks for that little bit more from a holiday.
The sparkling lakes, awesome caves and spectacular landscapes and the ever-surprising flora and fauna make hiking through these; g regions an experience of a lifetime, especially when the whole Hi region is so closely linked with the traditions of yesteryear, and be cultures that have survived the test of time.
While the nature lover has more than enough opportunities to explore the region to his heart's content, the more adventurous visitor will be amazed at what Bulgaria's mountains have to offer, and will certainly find that he simply won't have the time to try all that is on offer.
Where would an activity holiday be without the excitement of going rafting ? The Struma,
Arda and Ossam rivers are especially suitable for the enthusiast in springtime once the mountain snows higher up have melted, and the Stackevska river in the Vratza mountain offers all the thrills and spills of wild water rafting. The river Danube is excellent for canoeing and kayaking.
ORIENTEERING
Perhaps you'd like to try orienteering, either on skis in the winter, or on foot in the summer. Bulgaria has already hosted two World Championships and the annual cup for orienteering is held on the Shoumensko Plateau. The forests around the St.St.Constantin and Helena resorts and the Kamchia river are ideal for this type of activity holiday. They say time stands still for the visitor here, certainly most wish it would.
It is difficult to surpass the excitement of climbing in Bulgaria, and the keen mountaineer will never forget the thrill of the many ascents the mountains have to offer. Experienced guides not only ensure that you make the most of your climb, but are also on hand should an emergency
arise.
Besides the chance to follow mountaineering courses, trips are organised by specialised agencies in the areas of Vratsa,Veliko Tarnovo, Trojan, maliovitza and Roussenski Lom. For sheer excitement and endurance, the climbing rocks of Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes and Stara Planina are a must.
If you are an experienced horseman, there is a wide choice of one and two week trekking tours. Destinations include the Balkan mountains, Trojan, the Danube valley and the Valley of Roses. Riding along the paths on the Rila and Stara Planina mountains you are at one with nature, breathing in cool mountain air and history at the same time.
Hiking and walking have long been a tradition in Bulgaria, and there are both one and two week trips on offer in most of the national parks, always in the company of an experienced guide. Enthusiasts will certainly want to discover the mountain regions of Pirin, Rhodope, the Balkan with the Botev peak, and Vitosha with the breathtaking Cherni Vrah. Thanks to a network of comfortable mountain chalets, guest houses and camps, the visitor has the choice of more than 5,000 marked paths and routes through unspoilt nature, secure in the knowledge of a warm welcome at the end of an exciting day.
Mountain biking in the Rhodopi mountains is a new activity holiday, and the Special Bike Tours are fast gaining in popularity, both for youngsters and families. The Black Sea coast is great for the cyclist who wishes both to be closer to nature and cycle through the surrounding areas meeting the local inhabitants.
Bulgaria's mountain regions offer an excellent opportunity for either nature-oriented or activity holidays. Although maybe lacking the height and excitement of Mount
Everest, the vastness of the Grand Canyon and the impenetrable unknown of the Amazon jungle, they have their own special charm: tailor-made for today's tourist who looks for that little bit more from a holiday.
The sparkling lakes, awesome caves and spectacular landscapes and the ever-surprising flora and fauna make hiking through these; g regions an experience of a lifetime, especially when the whole Hi region is so closely linked with the traditions of yesteryear, and be cultures that have survived the test of time.
While the nature lover has more than enough opportunities to explore the region to his heart's content, the more adventurous visitor will be amazed at what Bulgaria's mountains have to offer, and will certainly find that he simply won't have the time to try all that is on offer.
RAFTING
Where would an activity holiday be without the excitement of going rafting ? The Struma,
Arda and Ossam rivers are especially suitable for the enthusiast in springtime once the mountain snows higher up have melted, and the Stackevska river in the Vratza mountain offers all the thrills and spills of wild water rafting. The river Danube is excellent for canoeing and kayaking.
Perhaps you'd like to try orienteering, either on skis in the winter, or on foot in the summer. Bulgaria has already hosted two World Championships and the annual cup for orienteering is held on the Shoumensko Plateau. The forests around the St.St.Constantin and Helena resorts and the Kamchia river are ideal for this type of activity holiday. They say time stands still for the visitor here, certainly most wish it would.
ROCK CLIMBING
It is difficult to surpass the excitement of climbing in Bulgaria, and the keen mountaineer will never forget the thrill of the many ascents the mountains have to offer. Experienced guides not only ensure that you make the most of your climb, but are also on hand should an emergency
arise.
Besides the chance to follow mountaineering courses, trips are organised by specialised agencies in the areas of Vratsa,Veliko Tarnovo, Trojan, maliovitza and Roussenski Lom. For sheer excitement and endurance, the climbing rocks of Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes and Stara Planina are a must.
HORSE RIDING
If you are an experienced horseman, there is a wide choice of one and two week trekking tours. Destinations include the Balkan mountains, Trojan, the Danube valley and the Valley of Roses. Riding along the paths on the Rila and Stara Planina mountains you are at one with nature, breathing in cool mountain air and history at the same time.
HIKING
Hiking and walking have long been a tradition in Bulgaria, and there are both one and two week trips on offer in most of the national parks, always in the company of an experienced guide. Enthusiasts will certainly want to discover the mountain regions of Pirin, Rhodope, the Balkan with the Botev peak, and Vitosha with the breathtaking Cherni Vrah. Thanks to a network of comfortable mountain chalets, guest houses and camps, the visitor has the choice of more than 5,000 marked paths and routes through unspoilt nature, secure in the knowledge of a warm welcome at the end of an exciting day.
FISHING
There is excellent trout fishing, along with pike, carp and bream, to name but a few in the mountain streams, and comfortable accommodation to be had with the local inhabitants. Who will ever forget being among friends, with the smell of the day's catch cooking over the camp fire, sitting around and listening to the 'one that got away' stories which last well into the night.Mountain biking in the Rhodopi mountains is a new activity holiday, and the Special Bike Tours are fast gaining in popularity, both for youngsters and families. The Black Sea coast is great for the cyclist who wishes both to be closer to nature and cycle through the surrounding areas meeting the local inhabitants.
