Sure Travel Journey Vol 3.3 Winter 2017 | Page 46

© REFRESH/ADOBESTOCK
© SUBBOTSKY / ADOBESTOCK
5
THE
BIG
Walks of Europe
London-based travel writer Franki Black
loves to hike, but without the schlepp.
She signed up with self-guided walking tour
company On Foot Holidays so that she wouldn’t
have to carry her own luggage or worry about
where to stay or what to eat along the way. She’s
rambling her way through Europe this
way and already has a
few favourites.
Bulgaria is
still a low-key
jewel when it
comes to hiking
destinations,
as the stunning
peaks of Mount
Musala attest to.
BALKAN TREK, BULGARIA
Often overlooked, Bulgaria offers some
of Europe’s best terrain for walking. For
the ultimate Balkan adventure, opt for
a six-day guided walk to the top of Mt
Musala, one of Europe’s highest peaks.
A nearby lift system can do some of the
hard yards for you. Lakes, wild flowers
and wild horses can be seen as you walk
towards one of Bulgaria’s most famous
mountain refuges for an overnight stay.
Your trek concludes with a 1 500-metre
descent through meadows and oak
woodlands towards the World Heritage
Rila Monastery.
Level: hard
Distance: 11-19 km per day
Best time to go: July-September