Useful information
Things to do in the area
Progled lies in a part of Bulgaria where there is always something new to see and unforgettable moments to live, even if you stay for longer.
Progled village
The village grew up around 1892, after it was decided that the border with Turkey would run across the Rozhen pass. Some of the people of Momchilovtsi and Sokolovtsi chose to live in the Bulgarian part of the Rhodopes – and so Progled began.
The views around are unforgettable: the tower on Snezhanka peak, Pamporovo, Golyam Perelik peak, Murgavets peak, and to the east the Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory, the largest in south-eastern Europe.
Hidden in the pine forests around the village are several chapels, each a lovely walk away: St Panteleimon, St Marina, St Elijah, the Holy Trinity, and Sts Cyricus and Julitta.
The meadows are covered with herbs, and the forest has wild strawberries, blueberries and mushrooms. The people of Progled are exceptionally warm and will not refuse you help (if you get stuck in winter, for example) or advice – which herbs help with what, how to make a herbal infusion, how to make a fizzy drink from wild thyme or elderflower.
“We Bulgarians need not travel so far to see the world and its wonders, for our Bulgaria is an unknown and wondrous world of its own.”
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Julythe first Saturday
The village fair
Every year, on the first Saturday of July, the village holds its fair. It takes place at the stadium, about 20 minutes' walk up the slope above the village. The locals have made wooden tables and benches under the tall pines around the big meadow – and, of course, a stage.
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4 kmfrom the house
Pamporovo ski resort
The resort is built mainly for skiing. The ski season starts in December and lasts almost until the end of April. Pamporovo has the most sunny days of all the mountain resorts in Bulgaria; the average annual temperature is 5.5 °C.
Snezhanka peak is one of the 100 National Tourist Sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union. Its stamp is kept at the Studenets hut.
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6 kmfrom the house
Mechi Chal ski centre, Chepelare
Chepelare's renewed ski base. One of its main runs is a “red” run for advanced skiers, 3250 m long, with the most modern artificial snow system in Bulgaria: 47 snow cannons cover the run in 100 hours at −3 degrees.
There is also a “green” run for intermediate skiers, almost 6 km long, several shorter runs of different difficulty, and a “difficult red” deep-snow run, 1.2 km long. For the first time in Bulgaria, all the runs have free wireless internet.
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10 kmlong eco trail
The Canyon of Waterfalls
Few people know that near Smolyan there is an eco trail of unique natural beauty – the Canyon of Waterfalls. It starts at the edge of the Soskovcheto reserve and is about 10 kilometres long. The trail begins at the Arnautskoto area past the Sredok quarter, 5 km along the Smolyan – Mugla road. The less energetic can drive that far, but from there it is on foot, up the steep slope.
The magic of the trail is the waterfalls: anyone can bathe in their clear pools – but not for long, as the water is very cold, almost biting.
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18 kmfrom Pamporovo
Gela village
Gela lies at the foot of the greatest peaks of the Rhodopes – Golyam Perelik, Orfey and Turlata. Tucked away in the heart of the mountains, this little village of 98 people keeps centuries of history and beautiful legends. Every summer it hosts the National Bagpipe Contest.
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80 kmto Plovdiv airport
Coming from abroad
The nearest international airport is Plovdiv, 80 km away; Sofia airport is 230 km away. Public transport in the region is good: buses leave from Sofia Central Bus Station and from the Rodopi bus station in Plovdiv. You can also hire a car.
Stay at least a few days
…to feel the atmosphere and the spirit of the Rhodopes. Ask us about free dates.