Road trip guide: Conquering Mount Perelik

Golyam Perelik is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,180m (7,152ft) above sea level, located in Smolyan Province, in Bulgaria.

Golyam Perelik

Where is Mount Perelik?

The peak is situated in the southern-central part of the country, near the border with Greece.

Is the Road to Mount Perelik Unpaved?

The road to the summit is mostly paved up to the Perelik hut, but the final section is unpaved and narrow, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. The drive offers stunning views; on clear days, you can see Rozhen, Rila, Pirin, the Stara Planina mountain, Mount Olympus in Greece, and even the Aegean Sea.

How Long is the Road to Mount Perelik?

The drive is quite steep. Starting from the 866 Road, the ascent is 9.9km (6.15 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 484 meters, with an average gradient of 4.88%.

Is the Road to Mount Perelik Open?

Set high in the Rhodope Mountains, the road is mostly accessible during the summer season. At the summit, there is a military base that is closed to visitors.
Pic: Alexander Todorov

 

 

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