Rila & Pirin - Bulgaria - Aldwickbury School 2026

Leader: Dave Glover

10th July 2026 - 'The Eye' and 'Baba Mura'

On their final day, the group explored the stunning landscapes of the Pirin Mountains, enjoying magnificent views towards the mighty marble peak of Vihren. They undertook a gentle valley walk to the picturesque mountain lake known as “The Eye,” where they were fortunate enough to spot chamois along the route.

On the return journey to the coach, the group visited Baikusheva Mura, also known as Baba (Grandmother) Mura, the oldest tree in the area. This ancient Bosnian pine provided a fascinating final highlight to the day before the group transferred back to Sofia Airport, bringing the trip to a successful conclusion.

9th July 2026 - Kicking Snow Steps in the Heat of Summer!

The journey began with a scenic chairlift ride to Bezbog Hut, followed by an ascent towards the mountain pass between Bezbog and Polezhan. At the pass, the group encountered a lingering patch of snow and, with guidance from the leaders, learned how to safely cross it by kicking steps into the slope.

The group then carefully negotiated the loose, rocky ridge to reach the summit of Polezhan (2,851m), where they enjoyed a well-earned lunch with panoramic mountain views.

The descent followed the same route, bringing the group safely back after a rewarding mountain adventure.

In the evening, the group had the opportunity to explore Bansko, browse for souvenirs, and enjoy a meal in a traditional tavern, accompanied by live music from local musicians.

8th July 2026 - A Waterfall, a Monastery and 'Dotto'...

The group spent the morning on a scenic walk through a beautiful pine forest, passing a mountain hut before reaching an impressive 70-metre waterfall. From the start of the hike, they were accompanied by a friendly dog, affectionately named "Dotto" by the group. They returned along the same route, stopping at the mountain hut to enjoy lunch on the way back.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Rila Monastery. During the bus journey, their local guide, Stoyan, entertained everyone with fascinating and humorous stories about the monastery's origins. On arrival, the group took a guided tour, admiring the intricate frescoes, wood carvings, and striking architecture before sampling the monastery's famous sweet bread.

7th July 2026 - The Mountains and the Seven Rila Lakes Call...

The group began the day by taking a chairlift to the spectacular Seven Rila Lakes, one of Bulgaria's most iconic mountain landscapes. They explored a series of the glacial lakes—including the Lower Lake, Fish Lake, Trefoil (Three-Leaf Clover), Twin, Kidney, and Eye—while learning about the area's unique wildlife and endemic plant species found only in the Balkans and the Seven Rila Lakes region, such as the Heavenly Primrose and Red Geum.

The group then made the climb to the highest lake, the Tear, where they enjoyed a picturesque picnic lunch surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and panoramic views across all seven lakes. After spending time at a nearby viewpoint, they descended along a broad, grassy ridge that offered a different perspective of the lakes below.

During the return journey to the chairlift, the group learned about the traditions, culture, and religious heritage of the local communities, and the day ended with a special wildlife sighting, as the group was fortunate enough to spot a European adder beside the trail.

6th July 2026 - Off to Bulgaria!

After an early start and flight, the team arrived in Sofia, where they were welcomed at the airport by the trip leaders, Stoyan and Dave. From there, they travelled by coach into the city, taking in the sights while learning about some of Sofia’s most prominent landmarks, including the Parliament, the University, places of worship, statues, theatres, and more, before stopping for lunch at a local sandwich shop.

After lunch, the team enjoyed some free time to explore one of the city's popular central streets before boarding the coach once again for the journey into the mountains. They arrived at their first accommodation, where they enjoyed an evening meal before spending the night at an altitude of 1,420 metres.