In the second half of this February, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Dupnitsa, to explore the city up close and to get to know several new places and routes in Dupnitsa and the region. We have passed through the town many times, but we have never stopped to walk around it. After an interesting weekend there, I can say that Dupnitsa is a convenient location as a base from which to start exploring interesting places and routes nearby.
This article is devoted to the best things to do in Dupnitsa region, I will tell you about various routes and sights there.
Contents
Why visit the Dupnitsa region?
How to get to Dupnitsa?
Where to stay?
Things to do in Dupnitsa and around
Final thoughts
Why visit the Dupnitsa region?
The Dupnitsa region is a great choice for a short break in nature. The city is only about an hour away from Sofia and is well connected by roads and public transport to different parts of the country. Located at the foot of Rila Mountains and very close to its northwestern part, Dupnitsa is an excellent starting point to some of the most popular attractions in Bulgaria – the Seven Rila Lakes, the Rila Monastery and many more beautiful places, which I will tell you about below.
Here you’ll find plenty of options for active recreation and a full-fledged holiday – from easy walks and family routes to more challenging mountain hikes. The area is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, making it an appealing destination year-round.
How to get to Dupnitsa?
The town of Dupnitsa is located 85 km south of Sofia and 40 km east of its regional center Kyustendil. You can get to the town by car or public transport – there are regular train and bus lines.
Where to stay?
I would recommend the Rila Hotel in the very center of the town. In addition to its good location, the hotel will offer you excellent service, comfortable rooms and a rich SPA center.
The Rila Hotel can be a great base for your weekend and a convenient starting point for exploring the area. It is located just a 40-minute drive from the Rila Lakes lift.
✨ You can see prices and availability here.
Things to do in Dupnitsa and around
In the very center of Dupnitsa, you can walk past several sights, the most interesting of which are:
Monument of Culture “Tyurmeto” – this is an old mosque from the 15th century and one of the historical symbols of Dupnitsa. The building was built on the foundations of an Orthodox church named “St. George”. It was called “Tyurmeto” (The Prison) because in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it had the status of a prison, whose director was Yane Sandanski, a Bulgarian revolutionary and leader of the left wing of the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (IMARO). Today, the old mosque in Dupnitsa has been converted into an exhibition hall. It is located on the city square.
The Okoliyska House – this is the other old building in the center of Dupnitsa, located right next to “Tyurmeto” and is believed to have been built in the 13th century. Over the centuries it has had various functions, including a konak. Today it houses the Municipal Art Gallery.
Clock Tower – another symbol of the town, it can be seen from the square, slightly off to the side in the City Garden. Built in 1782 as a battle tower, it was later adapted into a clock tower at the end of the 18th century.
Dupnitsa Fortress Kulata
The remains of the fortress are located on a hill not far from the city center. A large cross stands at the top, visible from afar and serving as a helpful landmark for finding the Dupnitsa Fortress. Walking to Kulata hill is one of the great things to do in Dupnitsa.
While the ruins themselves aren’t noticeable from a distance, they can be clearly seen once you reach the site, they are not very extensive, though. From the hill, you can enjoy panoramic views over the entire city and the surrounding area.
Near the walls, you may also spot fragments of ceramics. The cross is part of a monument-ossuary, built in memory of local soldiers who died in the struggles for national liberation and unification between 1912 and 1918.
The earliest traces of human activity on the hill date back to the late Chalcolithic (5th millennium BC), and habitation was also established in the 1st millennium BC. In late antiquity (4th-6th centuries), a fortress with two towers and two entrances was built here, enclosing an area of about 3.5 acres. The discovered ruler’s ring, jewelry and other finds show that the place was not only a defensive fortress, but also an inhabited citadel.
How to get to the Cross and the Dupnitsa Fortress
The fortress can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes from the central town square. At first, you walk along the streets, and then along a wide path. The walk is pleasant, and in its last part it is accompanied by panoramic views.
From Svoboda Square in the center of Dupnitsa, take the pedestrian street to the hill with the cross, reach the Dzherman River, cross it on the bridge and continue straight. Then, at the school, turn left onto Blagodarnost Street. At the next corner, turn right onto Hisarya Street and it takes you to the foot of the hill, and then winds its way to its highest part. The remains of the fortress begin to be visible a little below the monument itself.
Kulata Hill in Dupnitsa is a great spot for a walk, combining history with beautiful views, even if it doesn’t seem very busy. Those of you interested in authentic fortresses will especially enjoy it, but even if that’s not your thing, the walk and the scenery are well worth it.
Rila Park
Rila Park is a large park for walking against the backdrop of the Rila Mountains, located 3 km from the center of Dupnitsa and a kilometer after the last houses of the city. You can reach the park both by car and on foot – a sidewalk has been built to the park along the road next to it. There is a parking lot near the park.
The park is spacious and very pleasant for a walk, with winding alleys, a chapel, several restaurants, a children’s area, a lake, and even a couple of artificial waterfalls (at least the ones we came across). In one part of the park, there are large picnic shelters equipped with barbecue facilities and Wi-Fi, perfect for relaxing. The Bistritsa River also runs through the park and, further upstream, forms the beautiful Bistritsa Waterfall.
While we were enjoying the views by the lake, we were joined by a dozen ducks swimming nearby. As soon as they noticed us, they came right over—some even waddled up onto the shore to greet us 🙂 .
We visited Rila Park on a cold winter day with snow, and there weren’t many people around. In the summer, however, it’s likely one of the top things to do in Dupnitsa, thanks to its pleasant atmosphere and the many attractions it offers.
Bistritsa Waterfall
For me, Bistritsa Waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the Rila Mountains. With its multiple cascades, impressive height, and powerful flow, it’s truly a stunning sight. It’s located just 11 km from Dupnitsa and can be reached on foot via a marked trail. On the way, you’ll also pass through Rila Park.
The route starts at the southeastern edge of the Bistritsa district of Dupnitsa (Bistritsa village), where there is a large parking area. From there, the trail begins and gradually climbs upward along a wide, well-defined path through the scenic gorge of the Bistritsa River. The hike to the waterfall takes about two hours one way.
Coordinates:
start: 42.240973, 23.166636;
Bistritsa Waterfall: 42.20846, 23.17781.
Samoranovo Waterfall and 2 panoramic spots above the village of Samoranovo
There’s no way I’d go anywhere without searching for a waterfall 🙂. While near Dupnitsa, we visited Bistritsa Waterfall some time ago, but given Rila’s many rivers, I suspected there must be more nearby. And there is – Samoranovo Waterfall, which is also very easy to reach. It lies on the Otovitsa River, high above the village of Samoranovo, and you can get there by car along a fairly good mountain road following the river valley.
The waterfall is right next to the road and easy to find (it’s even marked on Google Maps). Just before it, there’s a bridge leading toward Otovitsa Hut, and immediately after the bridge, you’ll find a convenient widening to park. The water cascades beautifully over large rounded stones, creating a really scenic view. A bit further down the road, you’ll even spot another small waterfall nearby.
You can combine your visit with two panoramic viewpoints along the same route. The first is located on a gentle bend before reaching the waterfall, where a gazebo painted in the colors of the Bulgarian flag offers stunning, far-reaching views – over Samoranovo, Dupnitsa, the Dupnitsa Valley, and all the way to the Konyavska Mountain on the horizon.
The second viewpoint is about 1.3 km past the waterfall, with another convenient place to stop. While the view isn’t as expansive, it’s still worth it, overlooking the scenic Otovitsa River valley.
Coordinates:
Panoramic site 1 with gazebo: 42.24784503742885, 23.191797838164856;
Samoranovo waterfall: 42.2401134991648, 23.20104135319238;
Panoramic site 2: 42.23882106512037, 23.201534651710077.
Eco-trail Goritsa
The Goritsa Eco-trail leads to the Goritsa waterfall, also known as Ovchartsi Waterfall, as it is located near the village of Ovchartsi. The village is located 11 km from Dupnitsa. The trail starts from its southeastern outskirts near a ravine. There is a parking lot and information boards there. The route is quite easy. The waterfall can be reached on foot in about 15-20 minutes.
Goritsa Waterfall is among the high waterfalls of Rila. It is about 39 meters high, and its waters are turbulent and noisy. The Goritsa River forms more waterfalls above it, but they are difficult to access.
Coordinates:
start: 42.270525, 23.225868;
Goritsa Waterfall: 42.26697, 23.22844.
The Great Stone Peak (Golemiya Kamak)
Above the village of Ovchartsi there is another interesting route that climbs to the rocky peak Golemiya Kamak. The peak is extremely panoramic, and on the way to it in places you can see views of the upper waterfalls of the Goritsa River. You should keep in mind, however, that the route is rarely visited and relatively difficult for less experienced tourists.
The hiking route is about 3 km long and takes about an hour and a half in one direction. You follow the green markings. In general, there are no dangerous sections, but you should be careful at the panoramic places, because there are precipices around them. Half of the path is a stone-sandy chute, carved over time by the waters descending to the lowlands.
The path leads to the foot of Golemiya Kamak. You have to climb to its very top.
Coordinates:
start: 42.274874, 23.230929;
peak Golemiya Kamak: 42.263596, 23.231874.
Resilovo Monastery
About 3 km from the village of Ovchartsi, you can also stop by the Resilovo Monastery. The monastery is very well maintained, and its church is wonderfully painted. The holy monastery can be reached by car.
The Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are among the most popular places in Bulgaria. You can reach the lakes by lift, the starting station of which is located only 30 km from Dupnitsa. The upper station of the lift is next to the Rila Lakes hut.
The lakes can be walked on foot along a circular route in about 4 hours. You can find a detailed description of the route here.
Rila Skakavitsa Waterfall
With its 70 m height, Rila Skakavitsa is the highest waterfall in Rila. It is located at 1750 m above sea level. The area around it is very picturesque, and the trail is well marked.
The starting point is the Zeleni preslap area after Panichishte, about 30 km from Dupnitsa. It is reached by a narrow asphalt road. There is a rest area and a wide parking lot in the area, from where the trail to Rila Skakavitsa Waterfall begins. Along the route, follow the red markings and signs to the Skakavitsa hut.
The route takes about 2 hours in one direction.
Coordinates:
starting point: 42.247939, 23.308669;
Rilska Skakavitsa waterfall: 42.220158, 23.306338.
Stob Pyramids
The Stob Pyramids are picturesque rock formations formed from easily collapsing rocks and soil as a result of erosion. They are located near the village of Stob, 30 km south of Dupnitsa. A parking lot and a trail have been built near them, from which they can be observed. The pyramids themselves are located in several places and all of them are in ravines. There are guardrails built around the ravines. The trail is pleasant, and during the walk you can enjoy not only the Stob Pyramids, but also the nearby Rila peaks.
Coordinates: 42.0967, 23.11304.
Rila Monastery
If you don’t feel like walking on mountain trails or want to enrich your weekend near Dupnitsa, you can go to the Rila Monastery, the most famous and most visited in Bulgaria. It is located 49 km from Dupnitsa and can be reached by car.
Final thoughts
In this article, I’ve shared some of the most interesting things to see and do in Dupnitsa and its surroundings. The town is a great base for exploring a variety of scenic routes and hidden gems at the foot of the Rila Mountains. With so many options for walks and adventures, it’s easy to plan a fulfilling day trip or a longer stay – made even more appealing by its convenient location, just an hour from Sofia and within easy reach of several other cities.
I wrote the article in partnership with the Rila Hotel in Dupnitsa. The impressions are my own.
