Saddle Atlas · Bulgaria
Horse riding in the Rhodopes and Rila
Riding to waterfalls in the Rhodopes and the Rila.
- Smolyan, Perelik, Hvoyna, Borovets and Rila
- Kardzhali in July 30.7 °C average maximum (NOAA data)
- Duration and price are shown live on the cards
- Level and group size from the provider
Ad Saddle Atlas may earn a commission when you book through a link. The price stays the same for you. Prices are shown by the provider only, we do not store any.
Where am I?
The rides lie in two mountain ranges in the south of Bulgaria. Near Borovets in the Rila mountains providers ride through pine forest, over meadows and through streams; the village is in a ski resort. According to UNESCO Rila Monastery is an example of 19th-century Balkan building craft with ten centuries of history; the providers' rides do not lead there. The climate in the Rhodopes is continental: in Kardzhali, in the foothills, the daily maximum is 7.1 degrees in January and 30.7 degrees in July. We found no riding rule.
The areas
For each area: what is different there, who it suits, how long the rides are, what to watch and the offers.
Area 1 of 3
Smolyan: Canyon of Waterfalls and Perelik
What is special. The cards below show the offers of this area.
Who it suits. For riders of every level who combine mountains and waterfalls.
Rides. The length of the rides is shown on the cards below, live from the provider.
What to watch. Level of the chosen stage, terrain, what is in the price.
AdOffers in this area
At Viator, loaded live. Prices are shown by the provider.
The provider states price, duration and level. Duration according to the provider, as of 11 October 2026.
Area 2 of 3
Hvoyna, Novakovo and from Plovdiv
What is special. A third offers two days (private, by level). A fourth rides from the Yustina Vineyard Park to the Red Church with a wine tasting.
Who it suits. For travellers from Plovdiv who combine mountains and culture.
Rides. The length of the rides is shown on the cards below, live from the provider.
What to watch. How much of it is driving, whether the online price is the full price or only a deposit, what is in the price.
AdOffers in this area
At Viator, loaded live. Prices are shown by the provider.
The provider states price, duration and level. Duration according to the provider, as of 11 October 2026.
Area 3 of 3
Borovets and Rila
What is special. One provider offers a 1-hour ride through pine forest, over meadows and through rivers. One offer from Sofia combines two days in the Rila with an overnight stay, dinner, breakfast and transfer. Another option combines riding and ceramics on a mountain-top ranch.
Who it suits. For travellers from Sofia or in Borovets, beginners and advanced riders.
Rides. The length of the rides is shown on the cards below, live from the provider.
What to watch. Share of riding in the day programme, whether pick-up is included, level.
AdOffers in this area
At Viator, loaded live. Prices are shown by the provider.
The provider states price, duration and level. Duration according to the provider, as of 11 October 2026.
The areas compared
Duration and prices are shown by the provider only.
| Area | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Smolyan | Waterfalls, Perelik | level per stage |
| Hvoyna, from Plovdiv | Villages, winery | check deposit |
| Borovets, Rila | Pine forest, ski resort | check riding share |
The provider states level and group size for each offer.
When to ride
Measured values: Kardzhali and Sofia, NOAA daily values, own means 1991 to 2020
Kardzhali
Show the figures as a table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 | -2.4 | 60.3 |
| February | 9.4 | -1.1 | 61.9 |
| March | 13.2 | 1.9 | 64.9 |
| April | 18.2 | 5.7 | 51.8 |
| May | 23.0 | 10.2 | 79.6 |
| June | 27.6 | 13.9 | 85.3 |
| July | 30.7 | 15.9 | 60.2 |
| August | 31.1 | 15.9 | 42.3 |
| September | 26.2 | 11.8 | 53.8 |
| October | 19.7 | 7.7 | 76.1 |
| November | 13.4 | 3.5 | 59.0 |
| December | 8.1 | -0.4 | 91.9 |
Sofia
Show the figures as a table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33.5 | ||
| February | 37.2 | ||
| March | 47.9 | ||
| April | 56.4 | ||
| May | 72.7 | ||
| June | 84.1 | ||
| July | 74.5 | ||
| August | 53.3 | ||
| September | 52.9 | ||
| October | 61.6 | ||
| November | 39.5 | ||
| December | 45.9 |
Kardzhali is in the foothills of the Rhodopes, lower than Smolyan; in the mountains it is cooler. For the Rila mountains there are only the rain values of Sofia, without temperature.
Source of the values: NOAA NCEI, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (daily values, original files read), our own means of the years 1991 to 2020. A month counts only if at least 80 percent of the days are available and at least 15 of the 30 years can be used. These are not official normals of the weather service; "n/a" means not usable.
Before you book
Ask the stable these questions before you book.
- Where is the meeting point, and is the transfer included in the price?
- How long are you really in the saddle?
- What level does the chosen route require, and is there a weight limit in kilograms?
- Is the online price the full price or a deposit?
- What is the weather in the mountains at the start time, and what is provided?
- How many guests and how many guides are there?
- Where do you stay overnight (multi-day rides), and what is in the price?
- Until when is cancellation free?
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ride to the cascades near Smolyan?
The provider sets this. Duration and price are shown live on the cards above.
Source: the offer cards on this page, live from the provider
How long is the ride to Perelik?
The provider sets this. Duration and price are shown live on the cards above.
Source: the offer cards on this page, live from the provider
How warm is Kardzhali in July?
The daily maximum is 30.7 degrees.
Source: NOAA daily values Kardzhali, own means 1991 to 2020
Read on
Sources (read 11 October 2026)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Rila Monastery, whc.unesco.org/en/list/216
- NOAA NCEI, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, stations Kardzhali (BUM00015730) and Sofia (BUM00015614, rain only).
- Offers: Viator pool and GetYourGuide hand cards, as of 11 October 2026
Figures as of 11.10.2026 (Saddle Map). Texts follow sources we read on 11 October 2026.