Rhodope Mountains

The Rhodopes are an incredibly beautiful mountain range with many natural and cultural places of interest. The resorts organize year round treks to various sites, with some treks taking more than one day. During the winter it is possible to take a walk in ski shoes or race around in a snowmoible. Some of the most interesting sites of the mountain are the natural phenomenon The Marvelous Bridges (Chudnite Mostove), the Rozhen Observatory, the villages in the Smolyan area, the caves all over the Rhodopes and Snezhanka Peak, with its tall tower.

Pamporovo Resort

Altitude of the Trails: from 1,444 to 1,930 m
Total Length: 37 km
Maximum Vertical Drop: 476 m
Longest Trail: 5,1 km
Lifts: 13

Pamporovo is the largest resort of the Rhodopes. It is located 260 km from Sofia and 85 km from Plovdiv and has an altitude of 1,650 m. Most trails start from the highest point of the mountain. It is well suited for beginners and experienced skiers. The trails can be also used for snowboarding. There are conditions for rough terrain rides. A half-pipe facility is also available for snowboarders. Early in 2010 Pamporovo hosted Pamporovo Freestyle Open with participants from Bulgaria and other European countries. There are several ski schools in Pamporovo for children and adults. The instructors have excellent qualifications and offer ski and snowboard instruction for all levels in many foreign languages. Parents can make use of a ski school and a ski kindergarten for their children. In 2010 travel agency Neilson Active Holidays declared the largest ski school in Pamporovo the best in Europe. There are many restaurants, taverns and hotels in Pamporovo. The restaurants offer traditional Rhodope dishes and also international cuisine. The towns of Chepelare and Smolyan, in close proximity to the resort, offer additional entertainment options. One of the most interesting and unique museums of the country – The Museum of Rhodope Karst – is located in Chepelare.