Vrachanski Balkan and Iskar River Gorge

Price

180€/6pax

Availability

Payment

Price per person:

315 € (for a group of 2)
215 € (for a group of 4)
180 € (for a group of 6)

Duration: 3 days

Trip style: Cultural visits and moderate hiking

Technical difficulty: Moderate (3-5 hours per day; up to 500 m of ascent/descent)

Transport: By train

Accommodation: Family-run guest houses

Meals: Bed & Breakfast

Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park is located nearby Vratsa. It offers great opportunities for rural and alternative tourism. Vratsa region is very attractive with its cliffs and more than 500 caves. An impressive 400-meters vertical wall is a favorite rock climbing place. Lots of national and international climbing contests are organized there.

Vratsa is a town situated in the Balkan mountain range. It is a starting point for the routes, leading to Vratsata gorge, to the Ledenika cave and the second highest waterfall in Bulgaria – “Skaklya”.

The Iskar Gorge is a gorge passing through the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) in Bulgaria. It connects Sofia and Mezdra. The road and railroad follow the course of the Iskar River through a winding, scenic canyon.

Route highlights:

Hiking in the western part of Stara Planina Mountains aka Vrachanski Balkan
Eco trails such as: “Borov Kamak”, “Pod Kamiko” and Vazov’s eco trail
Pass through 3 waterfalls

Day 1.
We start from Central Railway Station Sofia. The train ride takes 2 or 3 hours to the town of Vratsa. We visit the Regional historical museum and the art gallery which is located in the town. A short walk to Zgorigrad village. We’ll pick up the “Borov kamak” trail and enjoy the beautiful views of the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park.
Overnight in a family run guest house.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 2.
After breakfast, we will pick up a short trail through the Vratsa’s Skaklya waterfall located in the heart of the Vrachanski Balkan. We continue with a short train ride to the rail station Bov. Then we will pick up the Vazov eco trail. Afterward, we walk about 2 hours to the village of Zasele, a beautiful panoramic place on top of the Balkan with great views of the Iskar river gorge and Stara Planina.
Overnight in a family run guest house.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3.
After breakfast, we descend back to the Bov train station where we’ll pick up a trail named “Pod Kamiko”. 3 hours of walking and then we will take a train back to Sofia.
The price includes: