When I first visited Plovdiv five years ago, I thought I was just taking a holiday from my teaching career in Toronto. But after spending a weekend hiking the trails around Bulgaria’s second-largest city, I found myself researching real estate prices and international moving companies. Now, as a retired teacher living in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains’ gateway city, I can confidently say those trails changed my life.

Plovdiv sits in a unique geographical sweet spot. Nestled in the Upper Thracian Plain and surrounded by mountain ranges, the city offers access to some of Europe’s most underrated hiking destinations—all within a 30 to 90-minute drive. The trails range from gentle walks through forested hillsides to challenging climbs that reward you with panoramic views of three mountain ranges. And the best part? You’ll rarely encounter crowds, even on weekends.

Whether you’re considering a move to Bulgaria or simply planning an extended stay, these seven hiking trails showcase exactly why outdoor enthusiasts are increasingly choosing Plovdiv as their European base.

Distance: 4.2 km (2.6 miles) round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2-3 hours | Location: 52 km south of Plovdiv

This trail combines two of Bulgaria’s greatest assets: dramatic medieval history and stunning natural beauty. The hike takes you up a rocky path to a restored 13th-century fortress perched on a cliff overlooking the Asenitsa River valley. The fortress itself is a marvel. UNESCO is considering it for World Heritage status, but the real magic happens on the ascent.

The trail winds through oak and beech forests before opening onto exposed rock faces where you’ll spot endemic Balkan flora. In spring, wild peonies carpet the hillsides. The final approach offers 360-degree views of the Rhodope Mountains, and on clear days, you can see all the way to Greece.

What sealed the deal for me: Standing at the fortress walls at sunset, with no other tourists in sight, listening to church bells echo from the village below. This kind of profound solitude, just 50 minutes from a city of 350,000, simply doesn’t exist in most of Europe.

1. Distance: 9-12 km (5.6-7.5 miles) depending on route | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Time: 5-7 hours | Location: 130 km from Plovdiv (day trip)
   
   

2. Yes, this requires a longer drive, but it’s the hike that appears on every ‘Best of Bulgaria’ list for good reason. The Seven Rila Lakes are glacial formations sitting at altitudes between 2,100 and 2,500 meters (6,890-8,202 feet), each with its own character and local legend.
   
   

3. Most hikers take the chairlift from Panichishte to shorten the climb, but purists can hike from the Rilski Monastery. A UNESCO World Heritage site that’s worth a visit regardless. The trail passes through alpine meadows dotted with wild bilberries and crosses rocky ridges where marmots whistle from their burrows.
   
   

4. The lakes themselves are pristine. The highest, called ‘The Tear,’ is so clear you can see rocks 10 meters down. Summer temperatures at this altitude hover around 15-18°C (59-64°F), perfect for hiking when Plovdiv swelters at 35°C (95°F).
   
   

5. Budget tip: A round-trip chairlift ticket costs about $14 USD. Bring your own food—mountain hut prices reflect the remote location. The entire day trip, including gas, tickets, and lunch, runs under $40 USD per person.

Distance: 8 km (5 miles) circular | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Time: 3-4 hours | Location: 29 km south of Plovdiv

This has become my go-to weekend hike when I need to decompress. The trail begins at Bachkovo Monastery, the second-largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, and loops through dense pine and fir forests along the Chepelarska River.

What makes this trail special is the microclimate. The river valley creates consistently cool, humid conditions, and the forest floor is carpeted with ferns and moss. In autumn, the beech trees turn golden, and the entire valley glows. You’ll cross wooden footbridges, pass small waterfalls, and encounter several stone chapels hidden among the trees.

The monastery itself is a cultural treasure, founded in 1083 and featuring 17th-century frescoes. After your hike, stop at one of the family-run taverns in Bachkovo village for traditional kapama (slow-cooked meat and rice casserole) for about $6 USD.

Pro tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid Bulgarian tour groups. The monastery operates a small shop selling monastery-made wine and fruit preserves, making it a perfect place to buy souvenirs and trail snacks.

1. Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2.5-3.5 hours | Location: 45 km south of Plovdiv
   
   

2. Belintash is where geology meets archaeology. The trail ascends through oak forests to a plateau featuring bizarre rock formations that archaeologists believe were a Thracian sanctuary 3,000 years ago. The rocks, carved by wind and water into shapes resembling giant mushrooms and sleeping dragons, stretch across a windswept ridge.
   
   

3. The plateau sits at 1,226 meters (4,022 feet) and offers commanding views of the Rhodope range. On the rock surfaces, you can still see traces of ancient carvings; niches for offerings, channels for libations, and what might be an astronomical calendar. The area has a mystical quality that’s hard to articulate; you simply feel the weight of millennia.
   
   

4. Just 3 km away is Perperikon, Bulgaria’s most significant Thracian archaeological site, where excavations have uncovered a palace complex and sanctuary. Combined, these sites make for a fascinating full-day excursion into ancient Balkan history.
   
   

5. Important note: The final approach involves some scrambling over rocks. Bring proper hiking boots and avoid this trail in wet conditions when the rocks become treacherous.

1. Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles), various trails | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 2-3 hours | Location: 80 km southeast of Plovdiv
   
   

2. Krastova Gora (Cross Forest) is Bulgaria’s most important Christian pilgrimage site, attracting thousands during religious holidays, but remains blissfully quiet most weekends. The area features a network of gentle trails through ancient pine forests, where the trees are so tall and dense that even at noon, you walk in dappled shade.
   
   

3. The main trail leads to a hilltop chapel where, according to legend, a fragment of the True Cross appeared in a vision. Regardless of your religious inclinations, the chapel’s location, on a promontory overlooking the Eastern Rhodopes, is spectacular. The surrounding meadows bloom with wildflowers from May through July, creating a natural garden that seems almost too perfect to be real.
   
   

4. The forest is home to roe deer, wild boar, and over 80 bird species. I once spent an hour watching a black woodpecker work on a dead pine, completely oblivious to my presence. This kind of wildlife observation, just an hour from a major city, is what makes Bulgaria exceptional for nature lovers.
   
   

5. Practical note: Several small guesthouses near the site offer rooms for $20-30 USD per night—perfect if you want to catch sunrise from the chapel.

1. Distance: 3.5 km (2.2 miles) round trip | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1.5-2 hours | Location: 85 km from Plovdiv
   
   

2. The Wonderful Bridges are natural marble formations. Essentially, two massive rock arches were formed by the collapse of a cave system. The larger bridge spans 15 meters (49 feet) wide and stands 40 meters (131 feet) above a river canyon. Walking across it (there’s a safe path) feels like stepping through a portal into a fantasy novel.
   
   

3. The short trail leading to the bridges winds through pristine beech and spruce forest, following a crystal-clear stream. The microclimate underneath the bridges is noticeably cooler. Even in summer, you’ll want a light jacket. Ice formations remain well into May, creating an ethereal landscape of icicles and frozen waterfalls.
   
   

4. This hike is ideal for families or as an easy warm-up before a longer trek later in the day. The nearby village of Zabardo serves excellent grilled trout at outdoor restaurants where a full meal costs less than $10 USD.
   
   

5. Photography tip: The bridges are most photogenic in early morning when mist rises from the canyon. Arrive at sunrise for the best light and to avoid the modest but growing tourist presence.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) gorge walk | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 4-5 hours | Location: 85 km from Plovdiv

If I had to choose one trail that encapsulates the wild beauty of the Rhodopes, it would be Trigrad Gorge. The gorge cuts through limestone cliffs up to 350 meters (1,148 feet) high, creating a dramatic corridor where the Trigrad River rushes through a landscape that feels more like New Zealand than Eastern Europe.

The trail follows the river through the gorge, passing waterfalls, rock overhangs, and tunnels carved by millennia of water flow. Halfway through, you can detour to Devil’s Throat Cave. It is a massive underground waterfall where the river plunges 42 meters (138 feet) into a chamber so vast it has its own weather system. The cave tour costs about $3 USD and is absolutely worth it.

The gorge is home to peregrine falcons, Egyptian vultures, and occasionally, golden eagles. The sheer cliffs provide nesting sites for dozens of species, and the area has been designated a Natura 2000 protected site. In spring, the gorge echoes with birdsong; in autumn, the beech forests on the slopes turn crimson and gold.

After the hike, the village of Trigrad offers simple guesthouses ($15-25 USD per night) where you’ll be served homemade bread, local cheese, and rakia (Bulgarian fruit brandy). This kind of authentic mountain hospitality, and these prices, are increasingly rare in Europe.

Best Seasons: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer ideal conditions: mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and spectacular wildflowers or fall colors. Summer works for high-altitude trails but can be hot at lower elevations. Winter hiking is possible but requires experience with snow and ice.

Getting There: Most trailheads require a car. Rental cars in Bulgaria are remarkably affordable. I pay about $150 USD per month for unlimited use through a local rental company. Gas costs roughly $1.40 USD per liter. Alternatively, some trails are accessible via bus, though schedules can be infrequent on weekends.

Safety: Bulgarian trails are generally well-marked with the standard European hiking symbols (colored stripes on trees and rocks). However, cell phone coverage can be spotty in the mountains. Download offline maps, carry extra water, and let someone know your hiking plan.

Gear: Proper hiking boots are essential, as many trails involve rocky terrain. Layers are key due to rapid elevation changes. In spring and autumn, the weather can shift quickly in the mountains.

Wildlife: The Rhodopes support populations of brown bears, wolves, and wild boar, though encounters are rare. Bears are generally shy; make noise on trails to avoid surprising them. Never leave food unattended.

After 28 years of teaching in Toronto, I’d grown accustomed to planning outdoor activities months in advance, driving hours to reach hiking trails, and sharing those trails with hundreds of other nature-seekers. Living in Plovdiv, I can be on a pristine mountain trail in 30 minutes. On a typical weekend hike, I might see a handful of local shepherds and perhaps one or two other hikers.

The financial aspect is equally compelling. My monthly budget for hiking, including gas, occasional meals at mountain huts, and the odd overnight stay, rarely exceeds $100 USD. Compare this to what I spent in Canada on park entrance fees, gas, and the inflated prices at tourist-heavy trailheads, and the savings are substantial.

But the real gift these trails gave me wasn’t financial; it was the return of spontaneity to my life. When I wake up to clear skies on a Saturday morning, I can decide over coffee which mountain range to explore. This freedom, the ability to live immersed in nature without compromise, is what convinced me that Bulgaria wasn’t just a vacation destination but a place I could build a deeply satisfying life.

Moving to Bulgaria as a retiree or remote worker is surprisingly straightforward and more manageable than many expect. The country offers various residency options, and the cost of living remains among the lowest in Europe. My comfortable two-bedroom apartment in Plovdiv’s center costs $400 USD per month, leaving plenty of budget for weekend adventures.

If you’re seriously considering a move to Bulgaria or anywhere abroad, the transition involves more than just finding great hiking trails. You’ll need to navigate residency requirements, understand healthcare options, find suitable housing, and integrate into local communities.

That’s where Global Citizen Life can help. They offer Moving Abroad Programs designed specifically for people planning international relocations (https://www.globalcitizenlife.org/programs). Their services include one-time strategy calls to help you plan your move, country-specific Moving Abroad Masterclasses covering everything from visas to banking, and private coaching for personalized guidance throughout the relocation process.

Whether you’re dreaming of hiking in Bulgaria or building a new life elsewhere in Europe, having expert support can make the difference between a stressful move and a smooth transition.

These seven trails represent just a fraction of what’s accessible from Plovdiv. I haven’t even mentioned the Central Balkan National Park, the Pirin Mountains, or the countless village trails that local hikers guard as secret treasures. Bulgaria offers outdoor enthusiasts a rare combination: spectacular natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, minimal crowds, and affordability.

For anyone considering a move to Bulgaria, I’d suggest this: book a two-week trip, rent a car, and hike at least three of these trails. Pack a lunch, take your time, and pay attention not just to the scenery but to how you feel. If you find yourself calculating how many weekends you could spend exploring these mountains, if you start noticing real estate prices in Plovdiv, if you catch yourself imagining mornings that begin with mountain air instead of traffic noise, well, that’s exactly how it started for me.

Five years later, I’ve yet to regret following those trails home.

Written by Heather McAllister

Heather is a former Toronto school teacher who traded Canadian winters for Bulgaria's affordable charm in 2019. Now based in Plovdiv, she explores the Balkans one hiking trail at a time while documenting her expat journey. With a passion for history, nature, and practical retirement planning, Heather writes about making European living accessible for budget-conscious retirees. When she's not exploring Roman ruins or mountain villages, she's helping others discover the slower-paced life Bulgaria offers.

Read all our articles about Bulgaria here.