46 waterfalls and one highest waterfall with a drop of almost 70 metres: the Canyon of Waterfalls makes a striking mark on the natural landscape around Smolyan. There are also hiking trails, a planetarium and archaeological remains. Planning involves more than just choosing destinations: check bus connections, seasonal trail conditions and programme times to suit your visit dates.
Getting to Smolyan and getting around
Regular bus services connect Smolyan with Sofia, Plovdiv and Kardzhali. Check current connections before travelling. The Soskovcheto and Amzovo reserves are about fifteen minutes from Smolyan; however, how easily you can plan a visit may depend on the weather and time of year. An approximate travel time is no substitute for checking local conditions.
There are more than 20 marked hiking eco-routes and trails within the municipality. Smilyan is a starting point for more than twelve marked mountain hiking trails, with places to rest along the way. For a shorter route, consider the marked and certified Nevyastata Eco Trail: it starts at the Chapel of St. Panteleimon and is 750 metres long. Check trail safety and guided activities locally; conditions and markings can vary by route and season.
Cyclists also have a range of options within the municipality, including sections of the Iron Curtain Trail, the Trans-Rhodope Trail and the Sultan’s Trail, as well as marked local cycling routes and forest roads. Some are sections of long-distance routes; this does not mean that the routes are fully contained within the area. Check trail conditions and signage locally, as both can vary seasonally.
Waterfalls and natural areas
The Canyon of Waterfalls has 46 waterfalls; the highest has a drop of almost 70 metres. The eco-trail lies within the Soskovcheto Reserve and its buffer zone. Check trail conditions and access before setting out. Soskovcheto is also associated with wild goats and brown bears. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; observe animals responsibly.
The marsh clubmoss is listed as a protected species in Amzovo. This makes the plant life a distinct nature topic alongside the waterfalls and animal species. Please be considerate of nature during your visit. The two reserves are about fifteen minutes from Smolyan; access and conditions can change with the weather and the season.
Culture, archaeology and the star hall
Turluka was a Thracian sanctuary for more than a millennium. The foundations of a monastery complex and a three-aisled Christian basilica have been found there. The archaeological traces offer a different perspective from the nature trails: the focus here is on the site's long history of use and its architectural remains.
The Smolyan Planetarium hosts sessions in the star hall for children, as well as educational, popular science and themed programmes. Programmes in other languages are offered in Russian, French, German, English, Greek and Turkish. If you have a particular topic or language in mind, check the current schedule and language availability before your visit.
More destinations in the wider Smolyan destination
There are also cultural and natural attractions outside the town of Smolyan, in the wider Smolyan destination. In Mogilitsa, the Agushevi Konatsi are designated a cultural monument of national importance for their artistic and historical value. In Stoykite, the exhibition “The Bagpipe: Ancient and Eternal” is dedicated to the art of bagpipe playing and the traditional craft of bagpipe making from all the folklore regions of Bulgaria. Opened in 2022, the exhibition combines a museum, an ethnographic art gallery and an interactive sound installation; check locally for current access information.
Near Koshnitsa, a marked hiking trail leads to the entrance of Kaleto Cave, with resting places along the way. At the cave complex, visitors can also try a 40-metre alpine swing jump. The rope is attached at the highest point of the rock arch; confirm locally that the activity is available before travelling. Uhlovitsa Cave is near Koshnitsa: its developed section is 330 metres long and is reached via a path with 280 metal steps. The cave itself is 460 metres long and about 3.5 million years old. Its formations include dendritic structures that strongly resemble sea corals.
Smilyan and local specialities
Smilyan is associated with yellow cheese specialities and traditional dairy products, including Miahovo cheese, milk pie and full-fat curd. If you would like to seek out these products during your trip, bear in mind that availability may vary by producer and season.
When planning a stay in Smolyan, you can consider your interests separately: hiking routes and natural areas are subject to seasonal trail conditions, while the planetarium's schedule is key to planning a visit. Bus connections offer another way to get there, but you should check current timetables before travelling. This lets you plan your days around nature, culture or both, without assuming the same conditions apply to every destination.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Zlatograd, Polkovnik Serafimovo, Pamporovo, Devin, Mogilitsa, Bilyanska, Bosilkovo, Chepelare.
For the wider travel overview: Smolyan Province.
