Chalet Iskar Borovets

Ski Slopes

Borovets offers more than 58 km of marked ski slopes, the longest of which is 12 km. It also features a 35 km long cross-country skiing track, a biathlon course, and a 70-meter ski jumping ramp.

The ski area has three zones for alpine skiing and snowboarding:

• Sitnyakovo Ski Center – from 1350 m to 1780 m altitude, equipped with snow cannons covering over 2.0 km of slopes—the "Martinovi Baraki" pistes, as well as the "Iglika" and "Rila" slopes, which are open for night skiing.
• Yastrebets Ski Center – from 1340 m to 2369 m altitude, featuring snow cannons that ensure perfect snow cover on the "Popangelov" (formerly "Yastrebets 2") and "Yastrebets 3" pistes, covering an area of 20 hectares.
• Markudjik Ski Center – from 2144 m to 2550 m altitude.

With their varying levels of difficulty, the slopes are suitable for beginners, intermediate, and expert skiers.

The ski slopes are grouped into 3 main areas:

• Sitnyakovo – Martinovi Baraki
• Markudjik
• Yastrebets

Yastrebets Gondola

The Yastrebets lift is located in Borovets, Rila Mountains. It is a six-seater gondola lift with a capacity of 1200 people per hour. It has one intermediate station. The lower station is at an altitude of 1315 m, and the upper station is at 2369 m. The total length of the route is 4827 m. It serves the ski slopes in the area.

Martinovi Baraki Lift

The "Martinovi Baraki" lift is a four-seater chairlift located in Borovets, Rila Mountains. It covers a vertical drop of 313 m, and its capacity is 1560 people per hour. Its length is 1209 m. The chairs are equipped with individual safety bars between the legs, ensuring a higher degree of safety for children and smaller individuals. Added to this are their comfortable width, high backrests, and, of course, the elegant design of the new lift.

Sitnyakovo Lift

The "Sitnyakovo Express" lift, or "Sitnyakovski lift," is 2050 meters long. It covers a vertical drop of 439 meters. The ride time is about 7 minutes. The lift's capacity is 2400 people per hour. It is a high-speed quad (four-seater) detachable chairlift. The lower station is in the Borovets resort, and the upper station is next to Sitnyakovska Skala (Sitnyakovo Rock), at 1780 meters altitude. It can be used as a starting point for Sitnyakovo Palace (about a 6-7 minute walk); Maritsa Hut (2 hours and 50 minutes); Musala Hut (3 hours and 20 minutes); Zavrachitsa Hut (3 hours and 50 minutes); as well as the "Sitnyakovo" ski center.

The Black Rock (Chernata Skala)

The Black Rock is located above the source of the Maritsa River, near the Borovets resort. The site was declared a natural landmark in 1974. The rock's name is said to come from its dark color, caused by weathering. It is a high cliff overlooking the Maritsa River, near its springs. It offers a view of the adjacent slopes of the Rila Mountains and the Maritsa River valley. The rock has a rather dark reputation. Stories tell that it was used as an instrument of terror and violence during the Ottoman rule. There are reports that before and after September 9, 1944, dozens of people from neighboring villages, who were inconvenient to the authorities of the time, met their deaths here. A metal cross has been placed on the rock in memory of the victims. At the turnoff from the road to the rock, there is a sign. Benches and a table are available, and nearby there are two more signposts and a gazebo.

Beli Iskar Eco-Trail

The "Beli Iskar" eco-trail is located in the eponymous village, 70 kilometers from Sofia and 9 kilometers from Samokov. The trail is situated right on the border of Rila National Park. At the beginning of the trail, there is a parking lot where you can leave your car. The length is only 7.5 km and it takes about 3 hours to complete, with a small elevation gain of 300m. It is easily accessible, and rest areas are abundant. It is also suitable for young children.

Along the trail, there are eight large and five small bridges, each with a name. The longest of them is Bridge 4, also known as "The Long One." As we step onto the first bridge, directly opposite us are the Orlovi Skali (Eagle Rocks), with Sokolotez Peak (2021m) as its highest point. On the right side (east) of the Beli Iskar Valley, we can also see some of the river's tributaries, each giving its name to a small valley in the area – Pastrumski Dol, Eremin Dol, Dolen Suhar, Goren Suhar. After Bridge 6, the rock formations of Samokovishte and Vidnishte rise before us.

Lago Eco-Trail

The "Lago" eco-trail begins as an extension of the Tourist Garden, located in the southern part of our town towards Borovets and overlooking Rila. The trail meanders along the eastern bank of the Iskar River among pines and shrubs. Benches and small bridges complement the natural beauty. The eco-trail is a wonderful place for a walk and relaxation for the people of Samokov and their guests.

Rido Park

In the middle of the Samokov Valley, there are hills of tectonic origin. One of them—Rido—has been turned into a suburban park that extends towards Dabova Glava Peak (1127m), one of the foothills of Rila. This now-bare peak was once covered with a dense oak forest, from which it inherited its name. Nearby is Boricho Peak, 1100m high, and on the other side of the town is the Prodanovski Rid ridge. Rido is a wonderful place for walks and relaxation amidst the peace and coolness of the pine forest, not far from the urban environment. Rido Park offers opportunities for sports not only on its formed alleys but also on the football field and the roller rink. The "Rido" Motocross track was created in the late 1970s and is the first motocross track in Bulgaria, hosting numerous motocross competitions.

Pesako Eco-Trail – an easy and pleasant route in the heart of Borovets

"Pesako" is a very easy and pleasant eco-trail, starting from the old center of Borovets and ending minutes from the "Sitnyakovo Express" lift parking, located at the southeastern end of the resort. The eco-trail itself is a long and wide alley, along which every guest of this wonderful resort can take an unforgettable walk or simply ride a bicycle. Along the alley, there are several sports areas with fitness equipment, as well as several relaxation zones with lovely gazebos. A key highlight here is the fact that the entire trail is illuminated. At night, the entire path glows with the light of hundreds of small lamps. The natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of Borovets make a walk along the "Pesako" eco-trail a truly unforgettable experience.

Tsarska Bistritsa

"Tsarska Bistritsa" is a former palace of the rulers of the Third Bulgarian Tsardom. It is located above the Borovets resort in Rila. It was built between 1898 and 1914 and served as a hunting lodge for Tsars Ferdinand I and Boris III. The architectural style is influenced by the traditional Bulgarian Revival style, but also shows European architectural influences. Tsarska Bistritsa is an important part of the history of the last Bulgarian royal dynasty. It was here on August 28, 1943, that Queen Ioanna was informed that her husband, Tsar Boris III, was suffering from a mysterious illness. It was also here that the 6-year-old Simeon and 9-year-old Maria-Luisa saw their father alive for the last time.

The power plant that supplies the palace with electricity was manufactured in 1912 with parts from Siemens. It still operates in its original form today, and locals even say that it also supplies power to the Borovets resort.

The park around the palace is exceptionally beautiful and well-maintained. Many rare tree species have been collected here – Tsar Ferdinand had a hobby of bringing young trees of rare species from the places he visited around the world.

The Bistritsa River flows through the estate, tamed and terraced, and the small bridge and alleys around it are perfect for romantic walks.

Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday – from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Sitnyakovo Palace

Sitnyakovo Palace was the winter hunting lodge of Tsar Ferdinand. It consists of a residential part and premises for servants and guards. During the mature socialism period, the home was a holiday station for the Union of Bulgarian Writers, also visited by Todor Zhivkov. It was built in 1914. At the beginning of the 21st century, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Maria Luisa Hrobok filed claims for ownership of the property. In 2003, they received ownership documents from the Sofia District administration.

The Wooden Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord

The wooden church is located in Borovets and was built in 1934. Prominent public figures, scientists, and villa owners in the then-resort of Chamkoria initiated the construction of the church. An Austrian architect was invited to design it. For this reason, the "Transfiguration of the Lord" church has its unique and atypical appearance for our geographical latitudes.

Belyova Church

Belyova Church is the oldest Christian temple within the limits of Samokov. It lies on the foundations of a late antique basilica from the 4th-6th centuries. It is named after the boyar Belyo, who, according to legend, built it around 1389. The temple "Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos" was buried under earth in the 17th century. The lower layer of frescoes dates from this period. By the mid-19th century, they had faded and molded. Therefore, the main concern of the craft guilds in 1867-1869 was the major reconstruction of the church. The fresco decoration, as well as some of the icons, are the work of Nikola Obrazopisov with the help of Dimitar Hristov and Hristo Zografski. The iconostasis was crafted by famous Samokov woodcarvers like Stoycho Fandakov. From 1879 to 1891, the fountain, the holy spring (ayazmo), and the western part of the church – the narthex – were built. Large gatherings took place at Belyova Church on Easter and the Nativity of the Theotokos. The relics of St. Simeon of Samokov are kept here.

Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos

The Metropolitan Church "Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos," the seat of the metropolitan of the Samokov Eparchy, was built in 1712 as a single-nave church. Between 1783-1795, it was expanded and reconstructed, a process that concluded in 1835 with the addition of the two side altars. Some of the large icons were created in the Holy Mount Athos, and the wood-carved iconostasis was commissioned around 1793 from master Andoniy in one of the Athonite monasteries. Some of the festive icons are the work of Hristo Dimitrov (1745-1819). After the second major reconstruction of the church, the iconostasis was expanded by master Atanas Teladur, and the icons are by Dimitar Zograf, Zahari Zograf, Ivan Ikonopisets, Nikola Obrazopisov, and other representatives of the Samokov Art School.

After the Liberation, the narthex with its colonnade was built, and in 1892, the bell tower was added. The fountain dates from 1870.

Bayrakli Mosque

The Bayrakli Mosque is open as a museum in the center of Samokov. A restored cultural monument, it is the only preserved mosque from the time of Ottoman rule. This is the so-called Old Mosque, extensively rebuilt in the mid-19th century and painted around 1845 by the Samokov icon painters Ivan Ikonopisets, Kosta Valyov, and Hristo Yovevich in the decorative style of the Samokov Art School. The photo exhibition "Samokov through the lens," housed within it, reflects the change in the urban environment at the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century.

Tsari Mali Grad

Tsari Mali Grad is a late antique Roman fortress and fortified settlement in Southwestern Bulgaria, Sofia Province, Samokov Municipality. It is located on St. Spas hill in the Verila mountain, above the village of Belchin. It was archeologically studied in the period 2007-2010.

The cultural and historical complex "Tsari Mali Grad" was officially opened on July 18, 2013. It includes a late antique fortress, a church ensemble, and recreational and sports areas on St. Spas hill. The southern, northern, and eastern fortress walls have been conserved and restored. The tower on the southern wall and the two towers on the northern wall have been reconstructed. The church ensemble has been conserved and restored, with the 15th-century church being reconstructed.

The reconstructed two towers of the northern wall house the museum expositions: "Prehistory," "Life and Livelihoods in Late Antiquity," "Ceramics," "Numismatics," and "Military Life."

Two tourist trails have been built to the site, starting from the village of Belchin, as well as a rail passenger transport facility with a rope drive (funicular).

Ostrich Fun Farm

The "Ostrich Fun" farm is located 70 km from Sofia, 2 km from the town of Dolna Banya on the road to Pchelinski Bani, and 20 km from Borovets. The farm raises "black African ostriches," so-called because of the plumage of the males. The farm has a restaurant where you can try ostrich omelets and the incomparable ostrich steak. Visitors can purchase various souvenirs and clothing made from ostrich eggs and feathers. Very often, visitors to the farm are rewarded with an attractive "dance of love," performed by the male ostriches, who love to be in the company of the guests at "Ostrich Fun."