The natural beauty of Bulgaria is specially striking to first
time visitors, and in particular it is the dominance of its
magnificent mountains, ranging from sharp snow-covered peaks and
icy blue lakes to cool forests, bio-reserves and varied flora and
fauna that really impresses the traveller. Among the heights are
large ski resorts and mineral spas, quaint traditional villages,
monasteries, and many opportunities for hiking, cave exploration
and ecotourism.
More than half of Bulgaria is hilly or mountainous; the average
elevation is about 1,575ft (480m). The Balkan Mountains in the
central region cross the country from west to east, while the
irregular Rhodope Mountains form the southeastern border with
Greece, with the Rila and Pirin Mountains at their western end.
Every mountain has its own characteristic appearance and
fascinating prospects. The Rila Mountains are the most majestic and
boast the country's highest peak, Moussala (9,596ft/2,925m),
Bulgaria's most famous monastery, Rila, and the country's oldest
ski resort at Borovets. The greenest and prettiest mountain range
is the Rhodopes, which is home to Pamporovo, the largest ski
resort, as well as plenty of culture and folklore centred on the
town of Momchilovtsi, which is the most popular place for
ecotourism. Museum villages in the Balkan Range also offer
excellent possibilities for ecotourism and are a showcase for the
hospitality and warmth of the Bulgarian people. With hundreds of
lakes, deep valleys and rugged peaks, the Pirin Mountains are
probably the most beautiful and are home to a variety of rare
plants protected within the Pirin National Park. The most
frequented mountain is Vitosha, with the capital city Sofia at its
foot, and is popular for winter holidays and skiing.
