There are around 40 mountains in Bulgaria and 8 of them are higher than 2000m. The climate in the highest ones is mostly unsuitable for trail running during the period November - June. But the lower mountains can offer almost all year round conditions for outdoor activities.
This section is the hardest and slowest for me to update so please be patient 🙂 If you can’t find what you are looking for or if you have a certain question please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Bulgaria map
Move pointer over mountain areas to see them. Click on different mountains to see more info and/or routes.
Vitosha, Plana, Lozenska, Lyulin
These are the closest mountains to Sofia. All of them are accessible with public transport from the city. Vitosha is the highest of all - Black peak (Cherni vrah, 2290m). The other mountains are 1200-1300m high.
Balkan mountains (Stara planina)
The Balkan mountains are the longest mountain chain in Bulgaria. On the main ridge goes the E3 route - 600-650km of a single marked trail.
Rila
The highest mountain in Bulgaria and on the Balkans - Musala peak is 2925m high.
Pirin and Slavyanka
Pirin is the second highest mountain in Bulgaria (Vihren peak - 2914m) but it's steep and rugged. Slavyanka is considered a separate mountain, but it's a natural continuation of Pirin and also the end of the E4 route.
The Rhodopes
The Rhodopes are the broadest mountains in Bulgaria. The Western part is higher and its characteristic feature are the almost endless pine forests. The Eastern Rhodopes are lower in altitude and the climate is much warmer there. There are many geological phenomenons related to the volcanic origin of most of the mountain.
Mountains on the borders with North Macedonia and Greece
Not very popular with trail runners, but these mountains can offer fantastic routes. Belasitsa and Osogovo are higher than 2000m and the views to Rila, Pirin and Vitosha are worth to see!