Difficulty levels

Even our easiest levels are mountain hikes, not walks: with climbs, uneven ground and hours on your feet.

Mountain programmes come in 7 levels and kayaking programmes in 4. The numbers are for one day of the programme.

Mountain programmes: 7 levels

Intro

1 / 7

Your first mountain day with an organised group – fine for families with children too.

A typical day at this level

Ascentup to 300 m

Walking3–4 h

Distance5–8 km

Terrain: Short, easy trails with no technical sections; a relaxed pace with plenty of stops.

Experience & fitness: No experience needed.

Technical: None.

Beginners

2 / 7

For people with some mountain experience who can keep a steady pace for 4–6 hours.

A typical day at this level

Ascent300–400 m

Walking4–6 h

Distance8–13 km

Terrain: Marked, clear trails: Vitosha, the easier routes in Rila, the lower parts of the Balkan Range.

Experience & fitness: A few hikes behind you and basic fitness – 20 minutes of climbing should not leave you out of breath.

Technical: No technical sections.

Beginners+

3 / 7

The next step after easy hikes – longer and steeper.

A typical day at this level

Ascent400–600 m

Walking5–7 h

Distance9–14 km

Terrain: Steeper ground, longer climbs without stops, a slightly faster pace.

Experience & fitness: Regular easy hikes.

Technical: No serious technical sections.

Intermediate

4 / 7

The core of our trekking programmes: summits, varied terrain, a full day on your feet.

A typical day at this level

Ascent600–800 m (sometimes over 1000 m)

Walking6–8 h

Distance13–20 km

Terrain: Summit climbs, varied terrain, unmarked sections.

Experience & fitness: You have climbed a peak like Musala, hiked in Pirin, or done at least one weekend hike with an overnight stay.

Technical: You need to keep a steady pace and move confidently on slopes.

Intermediate+

5 / 7

Exposed ridges, longer and harder routes, very good fitness.

A typical day at this level

Ascent800–1000 m

Walking7–9 h

Distance15–20 km

Terrain: Longer, more demanding routes; the ground calls for care and confidence.

Experience & fitness: Regular hiking at Intermediate level and very good fitness.

Technical: Exposed ridges are possible.

Advanced

6 / 7

Demanding terrain and full-day effort – not for everyone.

A typical day at this level

Ascentover 1000 m

Walking8–10 h

Distance17–22 km

Terrain: Demanding, physically exhausting ground all day.

Experience & fitness: Experience with winter gear and full days of effort.

Technical: Airy rocky ridges in summer; winter ascents with crampons and ice axe.

Extreme

7 / 7

Where hiking turns into mountaineering.

A typical day at this level

Ascentabout 1500 m or more

Walkingover 10 h

Terrain: Alpine-style routes, technical ridges.

Experience & fitness: Advanced is already your standard level.

Technical: Scrambling over rock steps; crampons and ice axe are essential working tools.

Kayaking: 4 levels

Intro

1 / 4

Introduction to kayaking in lakes and reservoirs, or generally in still waters. You paddle only in K2 kayaks.

Beginners

2 / 4

For people with little kayaking experience. A high level of physical endurance is not required, but you must be able to spend at least 1 hour in the kayak. You don't need to know how to swim. You can paddle at sea too, but in a K2 kayak.

Intermediate

3 / 4

Good physical endurance and basic sea kayaking experience: you must be able to paddle for over 1 hour non-stop in wind up to 3 bft. Only people who have passed our course are allowed in single kayaks.

A typical day at this level

Windup to 3 bft

Advanced

4 / 4

A high level of personal paddling skills in single kayaks and a completed sea kayaking course of at least Level 1.

Torn between two levels? Give us a call and we will help you choose.

+359 894 922 014