I can’t remember how I discovered this place. It was either Instagram or Pinterest while at the boring comforts of my former work desk back in the states. All I know, is that social media played a big part in how I knew about this place. Even a Latvia man in town who now lives in Bulgaria asked me, “How did you even hear about this place?” “I just said Instagram”, I am not even sure. However long ago it was I found this place, it remained saved on my Google Maps as a star for a long time.

It wasn’t until I arrived in Sofia where i started to try and figure out how to come here and I it seemed harder and harder to figure it out by the second. Especially in wanting to visit the Rila Lakes, Baba Vida in Vidin, and Belogradchik. But since I don’t have the freedom of a having a car and since train travel pretty much sucks here in Bulgaria, I eventually had to do a process of elimination and chose which one or ones will I go to. Rila requires a car and or shuttle to and from. The monastery looks amazing but the 7 lakes is what I wanted to see which not only requires a lot of hiking, but it’s still very very cold up there (add snow).

I wanted to include visiting Vidin along with Belogradchik but once again, travel between Sofia, Vidin, and Belo made a day trip seemingly impossible. Like going from Sofia to Belo then to Vidin and back had conflicting public transport times, and I still have a lot to do within to even consider hitchhiking with all of my valuables. The biggest one my HD with all my footage. With Vidin having only one place to see, Baba Vida fortress, I decided Belogradchik may be worth the attempt.

The last night at my couchsurfers place, I spent two hours trying to figure this out and finally came up with a plan. Once a day, the Montana bus goes from Sofia to Belo and the same coming back next day. Saturday depart at 4:30, arrival at 8pm. Sunday leave Belo at 3 and arrive in Sofia at 7. Sounds perfect to explore the Fortress and rocks in the morning. The trip one way each costs 16 Lev, roundtrip in USD $18. I booked a cheap place via Booking.com for 35 lev, about $20 USD, not bad.

I arrived in time to see the rocks right at the end of sunset but with no time to venture out. So a night in relaxing and figuring out the next few days did some justice. Bright and somewhat early next morning, even as lazy as I felt, I venture across town from Bedrock Guesthouse and made my way into the Fortress, 6 Lev ($3 and change). I gotta say, this trip and the money spend was incredibly worth it. The place is a combination of Roman + Ottoman military history, with the Flinstones, Southern Utah and a touch of another planet. It’s incredible!! Without a doubt there are places around the world that are jaw dropping but Belogradchik is a gem on it’s own. Plus there is nothing like traveling to a place as the only American.

In conclusion, after taking about 600 amazing pictures on my Iphone and GoPro combined, I have got to say that a trip to Belogradchik is a must. Whether you’ve got it made in a car, do an overnighter like I did, or hitchhike your way here, I promise you, you will not regret it. 🙂

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