Summer
Lying at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains, Bansko makes an
ideal base for summer activities. For walkers, a network of well marked
trails cover the foothills. These lower slopes are covered with beautiful
forests of birch and beech progressively changing to pine on the mid
slopes. The more adventurous hiker can take to the mountains and explore
the high valleys and peaks above the tree line. Here, grass covered alpine
valleys are a riot of colour when spring flowers blossom after the snows
retreat. Higher still, the mountains themselves composed of granite and
marble, tower majestically over everything. Hiking trails follow the
ridges and summits giving spectacular views over the valleys below to the
Rhodope and Rila mountain ranges beyond. For the really serious hiker,
there are long distance routes with overnight stops in mountain huts.
Mountain bikers can hire their bikes in the town and explore the
mountain roads and tracks. Maps and guides are available to plan the day's
adventures.
On days when relaxation is the "activity" of choice, the are
numerous thermal spas in neighbouring Banya and Dobrinishte. In Bansko
itself, many of the hotels have pools and luxury spas that are open to the
public. While many mehanas and cafes have open air seating where you can
people watch as you take a cool beer or two.
A more exciting use of water is to go river rafting in early summer
when the melt waters swell the rivers. Torrents of water sweep through
majestic gorges into wide valleys before draining into the Aegean
sea in nearby Greece.
Bansko is an excellent base from which to explore this part of
Bulgaria. Car hire is available in the town itself or at Sofia airport.
The Monastery at Rila is the country's prime visitor attraction and thoroughly
recommended for anyone interested in culture.
A visit to the Dancing
Bear Sanctuary in Belitsa is a must for animal lovers. Sponsored by Austria’s Vier Pfoten Foundation and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
The practice of exhibiting "dancing" bears in the streets for
money has been outlawed. All the owners have given up their bears in
return for compensation for lost income. Here the rescued animals can live
out the rest of their lives in peace and without chains.
The Rhodope mountains, which form part of the border with Greece, is
where Bulgaria's longest cave is to be found. Situated at the bottom of a
steep sided gorge at Yagodina. Although the temperature outside can be 30c
or more, the air within the cave is a steady 10c.
The tiny town of Melnik is at the southern end of the Pirin mountains
and only a few kilometres from the Greek border. Nearby is the Rozhen monastery
from where you can explore the "pyramids". A winding path leads
back to Melnik past steep sided sandstone cliffs, gorges and towers formed
by erosion of the soft sandstone. Melnik is famous for it's wines,
reputedly a favourite of Winston Churchill. |
