Bulgarian Landscape - Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains
Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains 
Once the haunt of Orpheus, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are still a haunting and mysterious place. The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are one of Europe’s lesser known ranges which, although relatively low, possess their own distinctive beauty and grandeur. The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are undoubtedly mountains for the connoisseur, for the lover of nature and history rather than for the peak-bagger. The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are a place of solitude and simplicity, where you are more likely to encounter wild animals than other walkers. |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Topography 
Stretching 225 kilometres from west to east, and up to 100 kilometres from north to south, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains straddle the border between Bulgaria and Greece, and have an average altitude of 785 metres. There are several peaks over 2000m, the highest being Mount Golyam Perelik (2191m). The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are bordered by the Upper Thracian Lowlands to the north and the Aegean Lowlands to the south. The eastern boundary is marked out by the Maritsa valley, whilst to the west, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are separated from the Pirin Mountains by the river Mesta and from the Rila Mountains by the Avramova Saddle (1295 metres) and Yundola Saddle (1375 metres). Of the 14,737 square kilometres encompassed by the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains, 12,233 square kilometres are Bulgarian. Topographically, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains can be subdivided into two parts: the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi) and Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi). |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Geology 
The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are an ancient block of crystalline schists, limestones and granite which was first uplifted during the Palaeozoic era. Later, after a long quiet period during which it was gradually levelled, the range was raised again, this time at the end of the Tertiary period. However, not being uplifted to the same degree as the Rila Mountains and Pirin Mountains, the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains were too low to experience the effects of glaciation, and so lack the alpine form and features of their neighbours. Visitors to the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains will notice a definite contrast between the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi) and Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi). In the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi) you encounter typical karst terrain, limestone rocks pitted with caves and gashed by deep gorges. In the Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi), however, it is younger igneous rocks which form the most striking features in the landscape, having been weathered by wind and rain into characteristic rock mushrooms and pinnacles. |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Weather 
In general terms, the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi) experiences a transitional continental climate and the Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi) a Mediterranean climate, though local variations do occur due to the complex topography. On the whole, July and August are the warmest months in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains and January and February the coldest. In the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi), precipitation is at its highest in May and June, whilst in the Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi) it is at a maximum in December, although there too one can experience short, sharp summer storms. Generally, September and August are the driest months in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains. In the Eastern Rhodope (Eastern Rodopi), winds are predominantly from the north or north-west. However, in the Western Rhodope (Western Rodopi), westerlies are more typical, and warm southerlies are not uncommon. Overall, you will probably find the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains weather to be at its most stable in late summer and early autumn. |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Vegetation 
The lowest parts of the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains typically have
forests of oak (Quercus spp.). Higher up, above 1000 metres,
these are replaced by beech (Fagus sylvatica). In places,
this grows in association with silver fir (Abies alba) or
silver birch (Betula pendula) and aspen (Populus tremula).
Forests of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus
sylvestris) are dominant in the coniferous zone, whilst above
them are lush pastures with an interesting mix of Central European,
Mediterranean and Balkan species. |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Fauna 
The Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains boast the richest and most varied fauna
of all the Bulgarian mountains. Indeed they are probably the most
important region in Europe in terms of their biodiversity. This is
not simply due to the vast area of the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains,
but also because of the great variety of terrain, vegetation and climate.
Brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus) and
wild cat (Felis silvestris) all survive here in significant
numbers, as do more species of bat than anywhere else in Europe. There
are also many interesting birds, particularly raptors. Indeed the
Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are the most important place in Europe
for birds of prey with 36 species having been recorded here. In particular,
the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains are renowned by birdwatchers from around
the world for elusive species such as wallcreeper (Tichodroma
muraria), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), black vulture
(Aegypius monachus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
and masked shrike (Lanius nubicus). |
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Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains Holidays 
There are almost unlimited possibilities for walking and walking holidays in Bulgaria's Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains. Balkan Trek organises a number of hotel-based walking and wildlife holidays in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains, offering something for every taste and ability. Alternatively, for more adventurous backpackers and independent tourists, one interesting walk in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains is a south-north traverse of the Chernatitsa massif. Starting from the Pamporovo, the main ski resort in the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains, the trail leads northwards to the edge of the Thracian Plain, finishing within sight and easy reach of Plovdiv. For much of its length, the trail follows the line of a once important Roman road, and traces of the old flagstones can still be seen in places. The walk can be completed in five days, but it is better to allow a week so that you have time for personal exploration. A detailed description of the trail can be found in the guidebook 'The Mountains of Bulgaria' by Julian Perry.Walking & Wildlife Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains Butterfly Holiday in the Bulgarian Mountains Butterfly Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains Orchid Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains Wildflower Holiday in the Bulgarian Mountains Archaeology & Wildlife Holiday in Ancient Thrace Family Summer Wildlife Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains Family Winter Mutli-Activity Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains Snowshoeing & Winter Wildlife Holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains |