Rhodope Mountains

RHODOPE  is the largest mountain chain in Bulgaria, spanning one seventh of the territory of the country. The mountains is situated in the Southern part of Bulgaria and the southernmost part of it is situated on the territory of Greece. The highest peak is Golyam Perelik (2191m). The name of the mountains has a Thracian origin. The Thracian tribes inhabited the Rhodopi centuries on end. Around the mountains there are lots of remains of their culture, such as megaliths and sanctuaries. In geomorphological aspect the Rhodopi are the oldest range in Bulgaria. The mountains can be divided in Eastern and Western Rhodopi. The two mountains are very different from each other. The Western part is much higher and the climate is mostly mountainous. The Eastern part has low mountainous and hill relief, where the average altitude is only 230 m. The climate is very mild during the winter and very hot in the summer. A significant part of Bulgaria`s hydropower resources is concentrated in the Western part of the mountain range. 

There are more than 50 huts in Rhodopi Mountains. Unfortunately, some of them are closed down altogether. Others are open in the warm period of the year. Lots of hiking and walking trails are crossing the Eastern and Western part of the mountains. But only the most popular are very well marked. During most of the hikes it is not very difficult to get lost. The Rhodopi Mountains are suitable for differently experienced hikers. You can either make short walks around some of the villages or hike many days in line for more than 6-7 hours per day. In any case the walking trails here are easier compared to Rila and Pirin, providing good opportunities for easy to moderate difficulty hikes.

The parts of the mountains close to the border with Greece had a very limited access during the communists´ times and now they slightly reveal their secrets and traditions. And they are unique. The most visited is the region between the villages of Orehovo, Trigrad and Smolyan.