Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKING
From Borovets marked hiking trails - some simply following established ski runs - provide access to the eastern
Rila Mountains. The hiking trails around Borovets aren't marked on Kartografia's
Rila
map.
Some short and popular hikes:
Borovets-Chernata Skala
Take the road towards Kostenets, and follow the signs pointing south to Hizha Mar-
itsa; three hours (easy).
Borovets-Hizha Maritsa
From the Borovets to Chernata Skala road, continue along the southern road; 4½ hours
(moderately difficult).
Borovets-Hizha Sokolets
Follow the road south through Borovets; 2½ hours (easy). Another trail (1½ hours)
from Hizha Sokolets heads south to Mt Sokolets (2021m).
Other Activities
Horse riding
in summer is organised outside the Hotel Rila, and costs around 40 lv for
two hours, while Hotel Samokov has an indoor
swimming pool
(admission 5 lv), bowling
alley and fitness and spa centre. These facilities are open daily in winter, and at weekends
in summer.
The major hotels all offer excursions to Plovdiv, Sofia and Rila Monastery (at varying
prices).
Sleeping
Independent travellers planning to ski (and sleep in) Borovets should book three to six
months ahead for midrange or top-end hotels. The rates listed here increase by 25% in
winter. Borovets' streets are unnamed and few, so addresses don't really exist. For cheaper
accommodation, try Samokov, or nearby villages like Govedartsi and Malîovitsa.
Borovets' hotels spread over several kilometres of the resort; the following year-round
places all occupy the small, curving main street (starting from the Samokov- Kostenets
road and ending at the mountain's base). Ask about hiking, guided tours and other activit-
ies through the big hotels or ski shops.
Flora Hotel $$
( 33 100;
www.flora-hotel.net
; s/d/ste from 45/70/95 lv; )
The four-star
Flora boasts a swimming pool, spa and 'Irish pub'. It's a more intimate alternative to the
larger local resort hotels, while boasting similar amenities. Rooms are plain but clean,
HOTEL
