Summer 2023: Bulgaria
For our 2023 summer adventure, we went to the east of Europe: Bulgaria.
This country is undoubtedly one of the new destinations for active hikers looking for lesser-known mountain areas. The country is home to several national parks surrounding impressive mountain ranges with well-developed trekking opportunities.
First, we explored the Rila Mountains. The base of the mountain range is formed by centuries-old protected pine forests that give way to peat bogs and watery highlands. Challenging day hikes took us to the impressive cirques, where we hiked around the famous Seven Lakes and climbed the highest peak (Musala, 2925 meters). We also visited the Pirin Mountains, including its highest peak (Vihren, 2914 meters). From this summit, we could admire the entire Balkan chain. Between the two mountain ranges, we visited the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area surrounding the monastery and its impressive architecture, along with the many historical treasures and murals, made for a truly special experience.
To summarize we would say: unknown, fantastically beautiful, but also tiring (resulting in two injured knees).