A rock gate above the town, a 141-metre waterfall, a cave and the peak with Botev’s memorial cross — all in one massif, ninety minutes from Sofia. Here is what each place is, and how each one is reached.
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The Vratsa Balkan is the western end of the Balkan Range, rising directly above the town of Vratsa. Sheer limestone walls, deep gullies and forests crossed by old logging tracks. Some of it you can see from the town itself. The rest is reached on foot or on two wheels — there simply is no asphalt.
That is also why it stays quieter than Rila or Pirin. No lift, no resort, no queues. Just roads you have to know.
Ordered by how easily you get there — the first ones take an hour, the last ones take real effort.
The rock gorge at the entrance of Vratsa — two vertical walls closing like a gate above the town. These are the highest vertical cliffs on the Balkan Peninsula, which is why climbers know the place. You can see it from the town centre, but the real view is from the ridge above.
We stop here on “In the Footsteps of Botev” and “Botev Full Circle Challenge” →
The peak with the large cross raised in memory of the poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. The cross does not mark the spot where he was killed — in 1901 a commission that included his own men chose Okolchitsa precisely because it is a visible, reachable summit close to the last battle. The place named as the one where he fell is on the slope of Kamarata, a few kilometres from here. Every 2 June people come from across the country, and the view takes in the whole Vratsa valley.
“In Botev’s Footsteps” tour — 25 km →
The highest intermittent waterfall in Bulgaria — 141 metres. “Intermittent” means exactly that: it is full after rain and during snowmelt, and in a dry summer it can be a thin trickle or nothing at all. Check the forecast if it is the reason you are coming. From where we stop, the viewpoint is about 20 metres on foot.
“Skaklya” tour — about an hour, for beginners →The one developed show cave in the massif, some 16 kilometres from Vratsa. It is known for its chambers and for the ice formations that give it its name. The road there is paved, but the landscape around the car park is already mountain.
A village in Vratsa municipality. The “In the Footsteps of Botev” and “Botev Full Circle Challenge” tours reach a spot with a view over Zgorigrad.
A view over the village — on both Botev tours →
The hang-gliders’ launch site — an open slope with a wide view over the mountain and the Danube plain on the horizon. The town itself is not in sight from here. Best in the late afternoon.
We stop here on every tour except “Ledenika” →The hours and the entry fee are set by the cave operator and change with the season — check before you set off.
About an hour and a half by car, on the Hemus motorway and then the road to Vratsa. You do not need a 4×4 to reach the town or the car parks.
Vratsata and Ledenika are on asphalt. Skaklya, Okolchitsa and everything above Zgorigrad are on forest track, which is not for every car in the wet. The car park at Okolchitsa is free and holds many cars; the one at Ledenika is free too.
The rest is on foot or on two wheels. We ride the forest tracks — so places that would cost you half a day of walking fit into one afternoon.
Each tour passes through some of the places above. The bikes are electric — quiet, with no gears and no clutch, and they startle neither the wildlife nor the people on the trails. No licence needed, no previous experience needed.
Prices are per person and include the bike, the gear, the briefing and the guide.
I had no previous experience on a motorbike and that worried me, fortunately everything turned out to be easy as child's play. You quickly get used to the machines and after the first few minutes of "getting to know them" all that remains is the pleasure of th…
GoogleVery powerful experience. Extremely good route, I received the necessary attention and care to make it go smoothly and safely. The views were breathtaking...I recommend it with both hands!
GoogleA great experience! And it's definitely worth seeing the beauty of the Vratsa Balkans on a motorbike.
GoogleVoucher by email within minutes. The date is picked later, valid 12 months.
Give a voucherNot on foot. On a bike you can combine two or three — Skaklya and the ramps, say, or Okolchitsa and Vratsata. All six in a day is not possible by any means.
No. That is why it is called an intermittent waterfall. It is fullest in spring and after rain. In a dry summer you may find it nearly gone — that is normal, not the exception.
Not for the town, Vratsata or the Ledenika car park. The rest is forest track and becomes a problem for a low car after rain. Most people leave the car below.
The cave and Vratsata suit any age. For the bikes it is 12 years and 150 cm, max 120 kg; under 18 needs a signed parental declaration, and 12–15 ride accompanied.
Tell us what draws you and we will pick the route. If you are not sure — call, it takes two minutes.
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