The 15 Best Hiking Tours in Bulgaria

1.The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 923 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $47Our pick

Spend 10 to 12 hours traveling from Sofia into Rila National Park, riding the Panichishte chairlift when operating, and hiking among seven glacial lakes. Choose a guided or self-guided format, but bring serious waterproof gear in winter. Guides such as Radi, Maya, Stoyan, and Dimitar are known for careful pacing.

“The guided tour was awesome!! The guides were great, they picked us up with a bus and the drive to the lakes was smooth. Very fun hike!!”

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2.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $35

Travel from Sofia by comfortable minivan to Panichishte, ride the chairlift into the Rila Mountains, then walk for about five hours among seven striking lakes. This self-guided trip has no tour guide, but an English-speaking driver and optional audio guide help you manage the day.

“The lakes are beautiful and our driver, Simon was really kind, much reccommended!”

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3.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

Leave Sofia for a guided hike above the tree line in Rila National Park, choosing a three or five-hour circular route around the Seven Rila Lakes. Guides such as Phil, Velko, Kiril, and Daniel are praised for adapting to changing conditions. Finish with mineral pools at Sapareva Banya.

“Terrible experience..The weather was terrible witn rain and strong wind ..It was impossible to get to the lakes...We were soaking wet when we made it to tne second sale but there was no fire place to warm us up a little..The chairlift ride was 25 minutes..It was very very windy and quite scary at times especially when it stoped because of the wind and left us hanging in the wind and rain..My daughter and wife were terrified.. To the positives our guide Swet was amazing..So was the spa at the end...They should cancel the excursion when the weather is so bad It is dangerous.”

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4.7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Travel from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes with a mountain guide, ride or walk to the high trail, and choose a three or five-hour hike. Finish at Sapareva Banya, where thermal pools range from 15 to 45°C. Guides including Mariya and Marin are praised for patient, personal help.

“Wonderful hike. We went for the longer trip and it was both gorgeous and tough but worth it.”

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5.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Leave Sofia early with an English-speaking mountain leader, ride a chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the Kidney lake with poles and gear supplied. After about 2.5 hours on the trail, return to Sapareva Banya for mineral-water baths. Lift and spa fees cost extra.

“In advance of the tour, we sent multiple Viator messages, wrote an email, and called the provided number 5+ times. We did not select a pickup point because we were already going to be in Rila and wanted to meet there, so we asked where would be best to meet the local guide. No one responded to any of these inquiries, no one reached out to us via the phone number I provided, and so ultimately my husband and I did not go on this tour. (Despite having paid for it!) We had a great day in Rila by ourselves, but there was absolutely no communication from the vendor which…”

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6.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $35Top rated

Travel from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes by minivan, ride the Panichishte cable car, and hike a marked mountain route for about five hours. The experience may be self-guided, though guides such as Yanislav and Tedzto have accompanied groups. Bring cash, warm layers, and sturdy shoes.

“Like the title says. There are multiple spots to turn around so pretty accessible regardless of your fitness level”

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7.Mt. Vitosha and Boyana Waterfall Hiking Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $131

Leave Sofia at 8 a.m. for a guided hike across Vitosha Mountain, with pine forest, open pasture, summit views, and Boyana Waterfall. Guides including Avi, Tsetso, Filip, Phillip, and Todor have led routes for this small-group outing. Expect 8 hours, changing weather, and a serious workout.

“The tour advertised up to 16 people but we were the only ones who signed up for the day so we got a private tour. Our guide knew a lot of history about Bulgaria and was knowledgeable about the forest and mountains. We couldn’t manage the full hike but our guide was able to pivot to give us a beautiful experience and look off point with a much shorter trek.”

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8.Seven Rila Lakes Day Trip from Sofia Guided Hike Lunch & Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 8 hours · from $116

Join guides Simeon or Vera for an eight-hour small-group trip from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes. Ride the chairlift, hike snowy or summer trails, eat at a mountain hut, visit Sapareva Banya’s 103°C geyser, and add a thermal spa session for a soothing finish.

“Espwrienza Molto belle,Simon è stato di grande aiuto a spiegarci tanto, vista incredibile dei Laghi di Rila.”

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9.Private Vitosha Mountains Hiking with Black peak & Dragalevtsi Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $34Best value

Set out from Sofia for Vitosha’s Cherni Vrah, hiking in summer or snowshoeing in winter. Choose a private outing with transport, hotel pickup, and a guide such as Tony, or follow a self-guided plan. The day also includes Dragalevtsi Monastery.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. Because the lift is not running the police close the road up the mountain after a certain number of cars each day. Our guide, knowing this, contacted us to leave earlier and we arrived be for the road closed and before the trail was busy.”

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10.Day tour to Rila monastery, hiking to the cave of St. John and Boyana church

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery, walk to St. John’s Cave, view Boyana Church’s 13th-century frescoes, and taste Bulgarian wine. An English-speaking guide, transport, water, coffee, and tea are included. The small-group format adds flexibility, though Boyana entry and lunch cost extra.

“We visited the monastery complex which includes the monastery church, hotel part, rooms, tower and 4 museums. Boyana church is must see”

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11.The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Leave Sofia at 7:00 am for Rila National Park, ride the Panichiste chairlift, and hike the Seven Rila Lakes for about five hours. Your guide handles transport, maps, and local insight, while you pay separately for the lift and bring lunch or hiking boots.

“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”

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12.Pirin National Park Hike & Bansko Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 11h 30m · from $111

You’ll hike from Vihren Hut past three Banderishki Lakes, with views toward Vihren and Pirin’s high peaks, then ride to Bansko for Bulgarian food and a 30-minute Revival-era walking tour. English-speaking guides, including Lubo, lead small groups of up to eight from Sofia.

“I've booked multiple tours with this company and I cannot recommend their services enough! Excellent communication, super friendly and 100% reliable. The guides are amazing, highly knowledgeable and very safe drivers. Thank you for this fantastic day and unforgettable experience :)”

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13.Full-day Vitosha Mountain Snowshoe Hiking Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $94

Leave Sofia at 8:00 am for Aleko resort, then snowshoe through Vitosha’s winter forests and open slopes to Cherni Vrah, the 2,290-meter Black Peak. Your private English-speaking guide provides snowshoes, poles, transport, and hot tea. Bring sturdy boots, lunch, water, and warm layers.

“An amazing day with a great team! We got very lucky with the weather and had an opportunity to hike up to the 5th lake since it was clear and sunny. It might be a bit challenging physically for some but in general everyone would be able to do it without a lot of preparation. Appreciation to our guide Daniel for his knowledge, competency and responsibility.”

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14.Hiking in Pirin- the UNESCO World Heritage Natural Park with a visit of Bansko

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $114

Travel from Sofia to Vihren Hut for a moderately challenging hike past the Banderishka Lakes, then visit Bansko’s Revival-era center. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a group capped at eight make the long day easier. Guides may include Georgi, Laura, or Iliam.

“The drive from Sofia to Bansko was very comfortable. The hike was incredible; especially the views from above the lakes. Definitely the most beautiful scenery I have seen. Bansko is also a must-visit place in Europe - very charming little town. My guide, Georgi, was the best - definitely ask for him.”

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15.Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $143

Join a small guided group from Sofia for a full-day hike through Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes. Your guide leads you from the chairlift to the mountain hut and along trails to all seven lakes, including The Eye and The Tear. Meto may guide your outing, with pickup, transport, and chairlift travel included.

“I went on this hike August 29th. Meto was my guide. He is very knowledgeable about the area. He has a great respect for nature and the area. He made the hike very entertaining and informative. Pick up and transportation was very easy. I would highly recommend METO as a guide as well! He knew the best routes to stay away from the crowds and the best spots for taking pictures. This hike was a great way to see nature and the beauty that Bulgaria has to offer.I would recommend this to any one who loves nature. likes to hike/walk and is in moderate shape.”

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