The 11 Best Winter Activities in Bulgaria

1.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144Our pick

Leave Sofia early with an English-speaking mountain leader, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the frozen Kidney Lake. You get snowshoes, poles, transport, hotel pickup, and about 2.5 hours on the trail. Afterward, warm up in Sapareva Banya’s mineral pools. Bring food, and budget extra for the lift and spa.

“Our tour guide was amazing! The view was absolutely beautiful. Definitely want to come back during the summer to do the hike again!”

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2.The Best of Bansko: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure & SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $124Top rated

From Bansko, guides such as Dobrin, Filip, Wolfgang, and Dobrev lead a six to seven-hour winter outing in Pirin National Park. You’ll learn to use snowshoes and poles, hike at a suitable pace, and finish with a soak in Dobrinishte’s mineral pools. Routes can vary by weather, ability, and group wishes.

“This was very unique and fun hike!! The snow and forest are truly beautiful and the guide Dobrev was very nice and explained everything to us and provided a lot of info! The booking was fast and easy, and the hot pools at the end perfect after a cold walk!”

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3.Borovets Ultimate Snowmobile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

Meet your guide at Hotel Rila2010 and ride a snowmobile through Borovets Forest for about an hour. You follow a custom route past the ski resort, bike park, Borovets, and toward the Rila Mountains and Rila National Park. Equipment and instruction are included, and quad biking replaces snowmobiling if snow conditions are poor.

“I'm sure I was one of the first ones on the snowmobile for this season. And it was great. Enjoyable, very kind guides, excellent machines. Wonderful e-guide for the area that I could use after the trip. Thanks and have a great winter season!”

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4.Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Join a small English-speaking group from Sofia for a snowshoe hike in Rila National Park, reaching the Tear Lake at about 2,500 meters. Guides including Velko, Veselin, Marin, Iva, and Miran adapt the route to weather and fitness. The day ends at Kotvata’s thermal pools and saunas.

“The most memorable part of our experience was to face our fears in the middle of these huge mountains, covered by an incredible mantle of snow. Vez, our guide, was experienced and helped us to hike: he gave advices, technical tips and was very friendly. I'd recommend this experience to anyone who wants to explore Bulgarian nature and to live a thrill that can change his/her mind, and probably his/her life.”

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5.Pamporovo Ultimate Snowmobile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

Join a private, one-hour snowmobile tour from Prevala through the forests near Perelik, the Rhodopes’ highest peak. An instructor with more than 15 years of snowmobile experience leads the route, while a second guide closes the group. You receive a snowmobile, helmet, and area e-guide, but pay the remaining balance on site.

“Quite sure I was one of the first ones on the snowmobile for this season In Pamporovo. And it was truly amazing. Very enjoyable, nice guides, excellent and prepared snowmobiles. I shall come back again for sure!”

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6.The Best of Sofia: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure in Vitosha & SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $103

Join guide Dobrin for a 4 to 8-hour winter outing from Sofia into Vitosha Natural Park. Learn snowshoe basics, choose a route suited to your fitness, then relax in hot mineral pools near Pancharevo Lake. Equipment and transport are included, while spa entry, snacks, and any chairlift ticket cost extra.

“Had a blast trip. The entire trip was perfect. Dobrin, our guide is very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to ensure everything was perfect. We hiked in the snow for around 3 hours and Dobrin emanated to show us all the good spots.”

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7.Snowshoeing day trip to Mount Bezbog in Pirin Mountains

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $527

Travel 45 minutes from Bansko to the Bezbog chairlift, ride to 2,240 meters, then snowshoe 400 meters uphill to Mount Bezbog. Your private guide supplies snowshoes, poles, insurance, transport, and the lift ticket. No snowshoeing experience is needed, but you should bring warm mountain clothing and pack lunch.

“This was a beautiful winter treck by snowshoes from Bezbog hut to mount Polezhan - an ideal choice for first winter treck. Our leader, Mitko, is an exelent teacher - he shew us how to deal with the equipment, he pointed us to the best views and told us stories about the place. Thank you,Mitko!”

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8.The Ultimate Snowmobile Adventure – 7 Rila Lakes & Panichishte

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31Best value

Ride a powerful snowmobile through the Panichishte area near the Seven Rila Lakes with a professional instructor. Choose 30 minutes, one hour, two hours with lunch, four to five hours, or an advanced Extreme rider option. Fuel, helmet, goggles, and an area e-guide are included. You meet and return at the Seven Rila Lakes lift bottom station.

“I was probably among the first to have the activity and use the fresh snow. Very well-maintained snowmobiles, excellent guide and scenic route. Would come back again for sure!”

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9.Full day Snowshoeing tour to Bezbog peak 2645 m in Pirin Mountains

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $189

Leave Bansko at 8 AM for a private winter hike to Bezbog Peak with guides such as Gery or Vania. After a 40-minute transfer, ride the chairlift from Gotse Delchev Hut to Bezbog Hut at 2,240 meters, then snowshoe for 1.5 to 2 hours to the 2,645-meter summit. Equipment, poles, lift tickets, and hotel pickup are included.

“Great way to mix it up and spend a day doing something else on the snow. The guide, Vania, was very knowledgeable and did an excellent job of teaching the basics of walking with snowshoes.”

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10.The Best of Borovets: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure in Rila & SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $278

Join Magical Tours Bulgaria for a flexible snowshoe outing near Borovets, led by Dobrin. Explore frozen lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and old forests in Rila National Park, with snowshoes and poles supplied. The day ends at Sapareva Banya’s naturally heated mineral pools. Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip flops.

“I had an exceptional experience with the snow hiking guide service ( the amazing Dobrin). The professionalism displayed was outstanding, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. The guides were not only friendly but also highly knowledgeable, providing valuable insights, take a lot of photo…”

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11.Private Winter Day Trip to the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $57

Leave Sofia at 9am with a private driver-guide such as Simeon or Simo and reach Rila Mountain in about 90 minutes. Choose from Borovets skiing, a ski-doo ride, the cabin lift, Tsari Mali Grad fortress, or a spa visit. Transport is included, while activities, food, and equipment cost extra.

“Amazing experience, our driver Simon so sweet and spreads positivity with his smile, amazing tour so worth it :) even if it wasnt so much snow as expected it was still spectacular”

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