Snowshoeing in Bulgaria

New holidays 2027 dates available

6 nights accommodation

Availability Jan-Mar 2027

One itinerary available

Half Board

Grades 3 details

Non-members From

£1,799

pp

Members From

£1,749

pp

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Discover two very different sides of Bulgaria on a winter break that pairs Sofia’s standout sights with guided snowshoe walks in the Rila Mountains – the nation’s tallest range. It all starts with a guided tour of the capital which includes highlights like the remarkable 4th‑century Church of St George, the Roman ruins of the ancient city of Serdica, and the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Then, move on to the mountain ski resort of Borovets, our base for exploring Rila National Park’s forests and frozen lakes on snowshoes. We’ll also enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hotsprings of Sapareva Banya and visit UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery to follow in the footsteps of its patron saint on a walk to the sacred cave of St Ivan Rilski.

Accommodation

A range of handpicked hotels...
Set beside the Doctor’s Garden and within easy reach of the National Library, Sofia University, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, this boutique hotel is a comfortable 4-star base in central Sofia. Behind its listed, historic façade you’ll find 63 smart, spacious rooms and apartments, all with modern comforts. The lobby bar is ideal for a relaxing drink after a day of sightseeing, and the hotel also boasts a wellness centre, and a restaurant that comes highly regarded by locals.
Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel Exterior.jpg

What You’ll Love

  • A guided walking tour of Sofia, Bulgaria’s charming capital 
  • Snowshoeing walks in Rila National Park, home to Bulgaria’s tallest mountain range 
  • Soaking in the natural hot springs at Sapareva Banya 
  • Visiting the remarkable UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery 
  • Discovering the history of the monastery and its patron saint on a walk to the Cave of St Ivan Rilski 

What's Included

  • 3 nights’ accommodation in Sofia 
  • 3 nights' accommodation in Borovets 
  • Half board: breakfast & dinner 
  • An English-speaking tour and mountain guide 
  • Chairlift to the Seven Rila Lakes 
  • Entrance to Rila Monastery 
  • Guided walking tour of Sofia 
  • Snowshoes and trekking poles 
  • HF Tour Manager 

Reviews


Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Arrive in Sofia and transfer to your hotel. Meet your guide and get to know the rest of the group at a welcome dinner. 

This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Sofia, taking in the city’s best-known landmarks. Highlights include the “Yellow Brick Road”, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Roman ruins, and the 4th-century Church of St George. This afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure before meeting in the evening to go for dinner in a traditional restaurant. 

Distance: 4.6 miles (7.5km) 

After breakfast, learn the basics of snowshoeing before transferring (around 2 hours) to the Rila Mountains. Today’s gentle snowshoe walk follows the Beli Iskar Eco Trail, an easy route beside the Beli Iskar River – a great introduction to walking on snow. At the end of the walk, transfer to Borovets, one of Bulgaria’s most popular ski resorts and our base for the next 3 nights.  

Distance: Approx. 5.6 miles (9km) 

Transfer (around 30 minutes) to Malyovitsa, where today’s snowshoe walk begins. Starting on easier, flatter terrain, we pass ski runs before reaching the frozen Yonchevo Lake. We then descend to Ovnarsko for our pick-up and return to Borovets. 

We make an earlier start and transfer (around 1 hour) to Panichiste. Take the chairlift to reach Rila Lakes Hut, then begin a scenic snowshoe loop around several of the famous lakes, gradually working up towards the fifth lake. This afternoon, enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of Sapareva Banya before returning to Borovets. 

After breakfast, transfer to the Rila Monastery. Before our visit, we walk to the cave of St Ivan Rilski, following in the footsteps of the monastery’s patron saint. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed monastery. Later, return to Sofia for our final night and a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant. 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. 

Daily Walk Options

Grade 3

Medium Walks

Walks follow well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas, or along rugged coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require reasonable fitness.

Accommodation

Crystal Palace Hotel – Sofia

Set beside the Doctor’s Garden and within easy reach of the National Library, Sofia University, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, this boutique hotel is a comfortable 4-star base in central Sofia. Behind its listed, historic façade you’ll find 63 smart, spacious rooms and apartments, all with modern comforts. The lobby bar is ideal for a relaxing drink after a day of sightseeing, and the hotel also boasts a wellness centre, and a restaurant that comes highly regarded by locals.

Hotel Ela, Borovets

The 4-star Park Hotel Ela is located in Bulgaria's popular mountain resort of Borovets. At 1350 m. above sea level on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountain, it sits amongst spectacular winter landscapes and on the doorstep of excellent mountain walking routes. After a day of exploring, return to the comfort of stylish, modern rooms furnished with natural materials, and reward yourself with a glass of local Bulgarian wine by the fireplace. When it's time to dine, the hotel's sleek, spacious restaurant serves up the best of both Bulgarian and international cuisine.

More Information

Passport & Visa information - SHARED FOR ALL EU NEW 2026

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

 

Packing list - Overseas Guided Walking

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Walking boots 
  • Waterproof jacket 
  • Waterproof trousers 
  • Insulated jacket/top 
  • Walking clothing  
  • Walking socks (plus spares)  
  • Sunhat 
  • Gloves/mitts and warm hat
  • Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
  • Headtorch 
  • High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
  • Sunglasses with a dark lens 
  • Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
  • Mobile phone 
  • Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
  • Passport 
  • Visa (if applicable) 
  • Copy of your travel insurance policy 
  • UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC

Recommended

  • Collapsible walking poles 
  • Swimwear and travel towel
  • Snacks
  • Dry bags
  • Rubbish bags
  • Insect repellent

Optional extras

  • Camera 
  • Sit mat
  • Flask for hot drinks 
  • Durable lunch box
  • Gaiters 
  • GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

With flights EU & WW

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

Without flights EU

Alternatively, tailor your journey to suit you by booking your holiday ‘without flights’ and you’ll have the freedom to book your own flights from your local airport.   

*Subject to availability 

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: BUL06-LCL09

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Dates & availability

Snowshoeing in Bulgaria

Members save an additional £50 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2027

25 Jan - 31 Jan 2027

6 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,799

pp

Members

£1,749

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£2,123

pp

£2,073

pp

22 Feb - 28 Feb 2027

6 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,829

pp

Members

£1,779

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£2,153

pp

£2,103

pp

15 Mar - 21 Mar 2027

6 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,849

pp

Members

£1,799

pp
Single rooms

Call to enquire 020 3974 8865

£2,173

pp

£2,123

pp
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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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