Rhodope Mountains

The Rhodope Mountains, or the Rhodopes, are a mountain massif and a cultural region in southern Bulgaria (83%) and northern Greece (17%).

Bulgaria

 * – Famous for the nearby Batak Lake Recreational & Resort.
 * – Mainly known as a winter ski resort and summer hiking area.
 * – A spa resort with a wide range of summer activities such as hiking, horse riding, mountain biking and tennis.
 * – The closest town to the remarkable ancient city-sanctuary of Perperikon.
 * – Charming village with Muslim majority.
 * – A ski resort set in a forested area of Rhodope Mountains at 1,352 m above sea level.
 * – One of Bulgaria's most popular ski resorts, known for its forested surroundings.
 * – Tiny village, known for its old Bulgarian architecture and for its musical tradition, kept alive by a number of contemporary performers.
 * – Traditional settlement and popular ski resort atop Mount Rozhen.
 * – A traditional town, set in valley across the Greek borders.

Greece

 * – A village close to the Turkish border and the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park.
 * – A charming 'Pomak' (Greek Muslims) village on a valley of the Rhodopes Mountains.
 * – The largest and most important of the villages of Nestos river near the National Park of East Macedonia and Thrace.
 * – The village is a good starting point to go to the waterfalls and thermal springs in the area, the Nestos artificial lake and a well known for hiking sports.

Understand


The Rhodopes are remote, with a limited number of roads, unique nature, steep hills, and deep forests. The mountains are less steep than for example Pirin, so extreme mountaineering is not needed. The highest peak is at 2,191 m of Goljam Perelik in Bulgaria. The winter ski resort of Pamporovo and Bansko are in the Rhodopes. "The home of Orpheus" – the Greek mythological poet that went to hell to save his loved one – is a region with a distinct cultural influence. Rhodope music is world famous: many foreign musicians have been fascinated by the sounds of Rhodopes and even the song Izlel e Delyu Haydutin performed by Valya Balkanska is one of the few performances included in the Voyager Golden Record selection of music, part of the Voyager 2 space probe, that is expected to play across space for at least 60,000 years.

On the Greek side there is the Rodopi Mountain Range National Park, and on Bulgarian side the Pirin National Park.

Climate
The location of the Rhodope Mountains in the south-eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula also determines the climate. It is characterized by a transitional climate as it is influenced by both the colder northern air masses and the warm breezes of the Mediterranean (Aegean). The temperatures of the Eastern Rhodopes are higher and more stable with averages around 12–13 °C. In the western Rhodopes – under the influence of higher altitudes above sea level – the average temperature ranges from 5-9 °C. The transitional climate in the Rhodope Mountains is also noticeable through the annual course of precipitation. In the eastern Rhodopes the peak of precipitation is in December and in August they are minimal. In the western Rhodope it is the other way round, here are prevailing summer precipitation. The mild climate combined with other factors favours the development of recreation and tourism.

By bus
Regular buses run even into very remote places of the mountains.

By thumb
A good way to move is by thumb since villagers from the various small places around the area still have to get around and obtain supplies.

By plane
The closest airport in Bulgaria is Plovdiv. Sofia has more options.

On the Greek side, the closest international airports are Kavala and Alexandroupolis.

Get around
Due to the remote character of the area public transport is rare or not available. To explore the region either a 4WD or a normal car with enough ground clearance is best. The dirt roads within the Greek Rhodopes are usually well signposted what makes it easy to find the attractions.

Bulgaria


Archaeological sites:

Greece

 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.
 * – One of the most beautiful limestone caves of Northern Greece.

Do

 * Skiing – There are several ski areas of which Bansko is best developed.
 * Swimming – Best places for a refreshing bath in hot summer are at Nestos river and the lakes at the waterfalls.
 * SPA – Take a cure at the thermal springs.

Hiking
Sheer endless opportunities and trails exist around the mountains. The remote nature makes it even more interesting, regularly hitting off-the-beaten-track villages.

Interesting itineraries:

A famous annual marathon takes place starting in Paranesti.

Eat and drink
Traditional Rhodopean dishes are :
 * Patatnik (Potatoes Pie) – Made of potatoes and sirene (white cheese) garnished with yogurt. Various spices are added, such as onions, salt, pepper and a type of mild mint called Gyosum in Bulgarian. It can be baked, fried or boiled
 * Rhodopski klin (Rhodope style banitza) – A mixture of beaten eggs, pieces of sirene, rice, parsley, well salted and put between sheets of thick filo dough and then baked in an oven about 20–30 min.
 * Parlenka – Thin bread, thickness and size as small or medium pizza. Baked on pan as pancake, but the dough is for normal bread and their thickness is slightly greater with mountain cheese on top

Greece
For those who need more comfort and a greater choice of restaurants the villages Didymoteicho, Stavroupoli, Paranesti are good places to stay as a starting point into the Rhodopes.
 * Forest Inn Ecotourism Hotel at the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park. At the edge of the hotel is the information centre, where the National Park Management Organization has a permanent exhibition of photographs and audiovisual material as well as a souvenir shop. Visitors are transported by bus to the observatory, where they have the opportunity to watch the birds with telescopes at the tavern. For hikers, there are specially engraved and marked paths through the forest.
 * Forest Village of Erymanthou at Drymos Forest, at an altitude of 1,350 m. It consists of twelve wooden self-service dwellings which are a great place to stay in summer as in winter. A restaurant is located in the Forest Village, offering also coffee and refreshments, and operates Saturday–Sunday.

Stay safe
The area is partly very solitary and you can walk for hours without seeing other humans. In many areas are no restaurants, hospitals or any infrastructure. It is advisable not to go alone into the forests.

Greece

 * Kavala – A harbour town with scenic old town. Ferry boats to Thasos Island start here.
 * Thasos – One of the most beautiful Greek islands.
 * Samothrace – A small island of stunning natural beauty and peaceful silence.
 * Chalkidiki – One of the main Greek tourist areas with hundreds of beaches.

Bulgaria

 * Plovdiv – The second-largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the oldest settlements in Europe.
 * Melnik – A photogenic traditional town with wineries and wine cellars.