High Balkan Trail

Transfer from Sofia to Golyam Izvor village in the Teteven Balkan (one hour drive).
Here we get acquainted with our horses. We start riding heading North through meadows and mixed beech and oak forest. We will ascend Mt Lissets above the village where we will see the first beautiful view of the central ridge of Stara Planina and the town of Teteven surrounded by rocky peaks. Then we through an ancient beech forest at the end of which Glozhene Monastery is located. Perched on a high rock, it reveals an even more spacious view of the Danube plain. After visiting the church and the little museum we start riding back to Golyam Izvor following another trail. Overnight in a guest house. 

B/L/D
Riding: ~4-5 hours

Our ride today goes South-West following in the beginning shortly an asphalt road. Then continues along a dirt road with possibilities for some trot and canter. We pass the small deserted village of Slatina before starting climbing among ferns and pasture land. After 3.5 hours in the saddle we reach Chertigrad where we stop for lunch.

Chertigrad is an ancient fortress built by the Thracians in 4-3-rd century BC. There is not much left from the fortress but the place offers stunning views over the Balkan range. We arrive in the village of Yamna after another 1.5 hours ride South-West. We leave the horses in Yamna village and have a short transfer to Lopian village. Dinner and overnight in a guest house. 

B/L/D
Riding: ~5-6 hours

Today we are heading to the crest of Central Balkan to join for the next two days one of the longest European mountain trails Kom-Emine. Stay at Paskal hut for overnight.  

B/L/D
Riding: ~6-7 hours

The next two days we will spend riding through the Central Balkan National Park thus providing superb view towards the Thracian Plain to the South and the Balkan Mountains to the North. Good possibilities for canter crossing the grass highland. We follow the way marking of E-3 at an altitude of 1500-1900 m. Overnight in Momina Polyana Hut (1640 m.). 

B/L/D
Riding: ~5-6 hours

We leave the high mountain trail E-3 descending through thick beech and oak forests and pasture land along the Cherni Vit river. On some steeper descents we have to dismount and lead the horses. Our ride will end in the village of Cherni Vit (800 m) early in the afternoon where our vehicle is waiting and after a short drive we reach the cozy town of Teteven where we stay overnight. We can enjoy the rest of the day by the hotel pool or exploring the town.  

B/L/-
Riding: ~6 hours

In the morning a transfer back to Cherni Vit, where we have left the horses the previous day. On that last day of ride we will climb once more one of the many ridges from where we will have a last look of the scenery we have admired in the past week. We say good-bye to our horses and guides in the village of Golyam Izvor. Transfer back to Sofia (1 hour) for overnight. 

B/L/-
Riding: ~5 hours

Transfer to Sofia airport and departure. 

B/-/-