A loop hike from Bachkovo Monastery to Chervenata Stena Peak (1,500 m) in the Rhodopes, through the Kluviya canyon to the rim of a sheer cliff.
We climb through the Chervenata Stena Reserve – up the ladders and fixed cables of the Kluviya gorge and the hairpins of the "40 Bends" – then descend along the ridge past Bezovo hut to Bachkovo village. The route is rated intermediate, but it calls for very good fitness: around 9 hours on foot and about 1,200 m of ascent in a single day.
Tour Highlights
- Chervenata Stena Peak (1,500 m) and the view from the rim of its sheer western face
- The Chervenata Stena Reserve – old-growth beech forest in a UNESCO biosphere park of the same name
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Licensed guide
- Transportation during the program
- Travel insurance with limit - 500 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
Not included
- Food
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
The drive from Sofia to Bachkovo Monastery takes about 2.5 hours. After a short briefing we set off from the monastery on the yellow waymarks towards Martsiganitsa hut. A dirt track past the Bachkovo waterfalls brings us to the Pokrov Bogoroditsen holy spring – a shady resting spot beneath ancient plane trees – and to the wooden arch marking the entrance to the reserve.
From here the path enters the Kluviya gorge. At its narrowest point we climb a few metal ladders and pass sections protected with fixed cables, before the long ascent up the "40 Bends" – some forty hairpins through old beech forest. Above them the trees gradually open onto the meadows of the plateau, with the bulk of Chervenata Stena rising overhead.
Past Martsiganitsa hut we join the red waymarks and head north to the summit. At 1,500 m we stand on the rim of Chervenata Stena's sheer western face, with the Chepelarska river valley hundreds of metres below and the Rhodopes rolling away into the distance. The peak – "the Red Wall" – is said to take its name from the rocks that glow red at sunset. Weather permitting, we stop here for lunch.
We continue north along the ridge to Bezovo hut, then begin the long descent through broadleaf forest to Bachkovo village and drive back to Sofia.
Important:
Three seasons trekking equipment
Shoes
Suitable shoes for the mountain, according to the weather forecast. High ankle or low shoes. You may wear sneakers to change into at the end of the program
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes.
Backpack cover - in case of rain
Clothing top
Depending on the season and weather conditions
T-shirt or thin thermal base layer - from merino or synthetic. In no case cotton material
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation - a thin down jacket is recommended. Evenings and mornings in the mountains, temperatures are low. No expensive down jacket needed
Wind and water proof jacket
Thin hat and gloves
Buff
Clothing bottom
Depending on the season and weather conditions
Comfortable long pants - in the perfect case with zippers for ventilation
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Summer hat
Sun cream with high protection
Buff with UPF protection
Rain protection
Raincoat
-or-
Waterproof top and bottom
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: