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Snowshoeing in Bulgaria

New holiday 2027 dates available

■ Location: Bulgaria

■ Duration: 6 nights

■ Board Basis: Half Board

■ Travel Dates: Jan-Feb 2027

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Choice of Walking Grade: 5 details

■ Carbon Footprint: 1686kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£1,999

pp

Inc flights

Members From

£1,949

pp

Inc flights

Members Save £50 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
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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.
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Walking grades

From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.

Moderate walking grade 5

Moderate walking grade 5

Some walking experience needed. Full day walks which may include some short but steep ascents and descents throughout the day, and varied terrain. Regular stops. Typically, 8-9 miles (13-15km) with around 1,300ft (400m) of ascent.

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 

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: 4.35 miles (7km) 

Ascent / Descent: 280m / 918 feet

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.  

Please note that this day is graded 6, which is above the overall holiday grade

Distance: 5.6 miles (9km) 

Ascent: 450m / 1476 feet

Descent: 600m / 1968 feet

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. 

Distance 7kms / 4.35miles

Ascent / Descent: 350m / 1148 feet

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. 

Distance: 6km / 3.72 miles

Ascent: 200m / 656 feet

Descent: 250m / 820 feet

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. 

View all

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.
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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.
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Hotel Iglika - 25 Jan

Hotel Iglika is a stylish 4-star property enjoying a central location in the heart of Borovets, just a short walk from the resort's main ski lifts, shops, restaurants and cafés. The hotel combines contemporary alpine design with warm Bulgarian hospitality, making it an excellent choice for both winter sports enthusiasts and mountain visitors. The comfortable guest rooms and apartments are modern and well-appointed, offering a relaxing retreat after a day exploring the Rila Mountains. Each of the rooms has TV, Wi-Fi, safe, minibar, coffee machine and electric kettle. Hotel facilities include a restaurant serving buffet-style meals, a welcoming lobby bar, and wellness facilities including an indoor pool, saunas and steam room and a fitness area.
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More Information

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from selected 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.  

If you are booking on a land-only basis, you can join the group transfer at an additional cost. To do so, your arrival and departure times must be in line with the scheduled group flight timings. Guests travelling at different times will need to arrange their own transfers. Please contact us before booking to discuss the available options and costs.

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)  

  • Swimcap (compulsory in Itialian resorts)

  • 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)

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

 

 

Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so before you travel.

For more information about healthcare and its costs, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/

Drinking Water

Standards for drinking water vary widely around the world. In many destinations, tap water may not be safe to drink, brush your teeth with, or use for making ice. Where advised, you should drink only bottled or treated water and ensure that bottle seals are intact before use. If bottled water is unavailable, water should be boiled or filtered.

Staying well hydrated is particularly important in hot climates and during active holidays. Carry water with you and drink regularly. 

If you are unsure about local water safety, check official country-specific health advice before travel, or ask your accommodation or local guides for guidance once you arrive.

Carbon Footprint - 1686kg CO2

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. Add HF Membership to your booking online. Read more about membership

2027

25 Jan - 31 Jan 2027

6 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£1,999

£1,799

pp

Members

£1,949

£1,749

pp
Single rooms

£2,323

pp

£2,273

pp

£2,123

pp

£2,073

pp
Book Now

22 Feb - 28 Feb 2027

6 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£2,029

£1,829

pp

Members

£1,979

£1,779

pp
Single rooms

£2,353

pp

£2,303

pp

£2,153

pp

£2,103

pp
Book Now
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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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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 and self-guided 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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Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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