While Bulgaria is well known for its skiing, few foreigners realize its potential for activities such as hiking, climbing and caving, nor the country's wonderful natural history. Bulgaria's mountains and lowlands are incredibly rich in wildlife - especially flora and birds - as the country has features of both the Balkan and Mediterranean eco-systems, and is visited by hundreds of migratory species. Whilst many people may prefer to book a tour through a specialist operator abroad, it's perfectly possible to arrange adventure and eco-tourism trips through various agencies in Bulgaria
Hiking
Hiking
was first popularized in Bulgaria in the late nineteenth century, when it had patriotic connotations. During Communist times it was regarded as an ideal activity for citizens, and a network of trails and huts (
hizhi
) was created...
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Climbing and caving
Bulgaria's mountainous terrain means that the opportunities for
climbing
are practically limitless. The most popular areas with mountaineers and rock-climbers are Mt Malyovitsa in the Rila Mountains; the karst region to the north of Mt Vihren...
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Mountain-biking
Mountain-biking
is slowly catching on in Bulgaria, especially in the Pirin, Rhodopes and Stara Planina, where you can rent bikes from hotels in Bansko and Pamporovo and tourist offices in Apriltsi, Gabrovo, Teteven, Troyan and Tryavna. From a...
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Birdwatching
Bulgaria is great for
birdwatching
, being a nesting ground for most European species in spring (May-June) and on the migratory path of many Asian ones in autumn (Sept to mid-Oct), totalling around 400 species in all. There's plenty to see at...
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Wildlife organizations
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
(BDZP), 1111 Sofia P.O. Box 50, Kompleks Yavorov bl. 71, et. 4, apt. 1 (tel 02/722640,
bspb_hq@mb.bia-bg.com
). The national ornithological society, with affiliates around the country.
...
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Adventure tourism
Bulgarian Federation of Speleologists
(BFS), 1140 Sofia, bul. Levski 75 tel & fax 02/987 8812. Umbrella organization for local caving groups throughout Bulgaria.
Odysseia-in
, 1000 Sofia, bul. Stamboliiski 20 tel 02/989 0538,...
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Zoology, botany and geology
Aside from birds, Bulgaria's fauna includes most of the Balkan and Mediterranean
reptiles
(over fifty species) and
mammals
. Mountainous areas are the habitat of bears, boars, wolves, wild cats, deer, foxes and badgers, while...
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