Plan your eco-adventure in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s extremely rich nature — natural parks, impressive caves and canyons, glacial lakes, and more — are a paradise for nature lovers. Eco-friendly activities include  hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and spotting plants and animals, always in a way that preserves and protects nature. Ecotourism is a national priority, especially in Bulgaria’s 11 natural and three national parks: Pirin (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Rila, and Central Balkan.

You can experience Bulgaria’s secluded natural treasures, nature via hundreds of kilometers of marked trails, such as the Negovanska Path (along the Negovanka River Gorge near Emen); the Tran Eco-Path close to the Erma River gorge; the Dryanovo Eco-Path near the Dryanovo Monastery; and the Vratsa Eco Path in Vratsa Balkan natural park.

Over 37,000 km of marked paths run through the mountains. Along many routes, rest spots, including chalets, shelters, benches, and observation points, provide comfort without compromising the natural landscape.

Mountains cover one-third of Bulgaria’s territory, making it ideal for mountain biking of all types — from downhill and free ride to cross-country and touring. Between May and October, the trails are perfect for both beginning and experienced riders. Some enthusiasts even take on snow routes in winter! You can ride solo with a regional biking map or join guided tours with pre-arranged accommodation.

If you are looking for an unusual experience, test your will on the classic Kom-Emine Track, passing along the entire ridge of the Stara Planina, or join the traditional public bike tour of Mount Vitosha at the end of June.

Popular biking tracks are:

• Borovets, with 20 km combined track length and four degrees of difficulty. A bike-friendly lift helps the track accommodate downhill, cross-country, free ride and mountain biking.

• Sopot, with built-in facilities for downhill, cross country, 4-cross and trial cycling.

• Dragalevtsi’s chairlift takes you up to almost 2,000m. You’ll find yourself cycling in serene natural beauty, far from urban congestion.

• Beglika is an adventure- and eco-park with good cross-country and free ride terrain.

• The Rhodope Mountain¨ have many forest paths suitable for mountain biking. Other areas, such as Strandzha, Osogovo, Stara Planina, and Slavyanka also provide unforgettable biking experiences.

Bulgaria continues to invest in responsible travel and trail infrastructure, so now is the perfect time to explore this hidden gem of Europe in an ecofriendly way.

Key events:  

• Stage of the cycling race L’Étape Bulgaria by Tour de France, August 9–10, 2025, Peshtera.

• Dunav Ultra, August 29–30, 2025, 740 km along the Danube to the Black Sea.

• Tour of Northwestern Bulgaria 2025, May 25, 2025.

• Vitosha 100 – June 21–22, 2025; Vitosha mountain, Sofia.

• The International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria, usually the last week of August.

• Mountain race “Bike and Run for Chepan”, usually at the end of April, Dragoman.