Eco Trail to Shiroka Laka

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Eco Trail to Shiroka Laka: Rhodope Village Walk

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

Eco Trail to Shiroka Laka scored 81/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 74
Food & support 74
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Eco Trail to Shiroka Laka is best understood as the signed Shiroka Laka–Gela forest path in the central Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, not a separate officially branded eco-trail. It is a 7.5 km point-to-point day walk, usually taking about half a day, with roughly 450 m of ascent from Shiroka Laka to Gela. The route is moderate: a steady climb on dirt and rocky forest path, suited to hikers who want a short mountain walk between two folklore-rich villages.

Route Overview

Start in Shiroka Laka, where the path begins behind the National School of Folk Arts, and climb away from the Shirokolashka River through shady forest zig-zags. Higher up, the route reaches dirt roads, meadows and views towards Orpheus Rocks and the Perelik ridge before finishing in Gela at about 1,500 m. It can be walked in either direction, but Shiroka Laka to Gela gives the main climb; Gela to Shiroka Laka is mostly descent. This is a point-to-point walk, so plan your return or onward transport separately, as no verified transport detail is available. For other short Bulgarian routes, compare the Cherven Eco-Trail and Boyana Waterfall Trail.

Shiroka Laka, Gela and Rhodope Folklore

Shiroka Laka is a proclaimed architectural and folklore reserve in the central Rhodopes, about 23 km from Smolyan, known for stone-and-timber National Revival houses along the Shirokolashka River. Its Church of the Holy Mother of God was built in 1834, with the old school beside it dating to 1835. The National School of Folk Arts, founded in 1972, continues the village’s singing and kaba gaida tradition. Gela, at the upper end of the walk, is linked by local tradition to Orpheus and hosts a summer bagpipe festival.

Notable highlights

Shiroka Laka village (architectural reserve): A Rhodope village of stone-roofed National Revival houses beside the Shirokolashka River. It is the lower trailhead and worth time before or after the walk.
National School of Folk Arts (trailhead landmark): The signed path to Gela begins behind this renowned folk-music school. It is closely tied to the kaba gaida bagpipe tradition of the Rhodopes.
Forest zig-zags (main climb): The route gains height in switchbacks through shady beech and conifer woodland. Expect a cooler, quieter climb than on open mountain tracks.
Gela village (about 1,500 m): The upper end of the walk and the Rhodopes’ highest village. Its meadows open views towards the surrounding ridges.
Orpheus Rocks and Perelik panoramas: Near Gela, the landscape opens towards the Perelik ridge and Orpheus Rocks above Matnoto Lake. These views are a key reward after the forest ascent.
Kaba gaida and kukeri culture: The route links two centres of Rhodope folklore, including Shiroka Laka’s Pesponedelnik kukeri festival and Gela’s summer bagpipe festival.

Challenges to expect

The main difficulty is the continuous climb: about 450 m from Shiroka Laka to Gela over a short distance. The path is dirt and rocky in places, with forest switchbacks that can be slippery after rain. Waymarking is documented, but the “Eco Trail” name is generic, so navigate by the Shiroka Laka–Gela path rather than expecting a single branded route. Winter snow is likely at this altitude; spring to autumn is the practical season. For a higher Bulgarian objective, see the Cherni Vrah Summit Trail.

448

Ranked #448 of 974

See the Top 100 →