To the Black Rock in Rila – a light, short, colorful and pleasant autumn walk
The Black Rock is a rock formation rising 135 meters in the Borovets resort area. It is a massive stone cliff whose walls tower above the valley of the Golyama Slivnitsa River. A relatively short and easy trail, running almost entirely through the forest, leads to it. The route is mostly shaded and would be ideal for a walk during the summer heat. In the height of the golden autumn, when we passed along it, the landscapes were incredibly colorful, even in the shadows.
How to Get to the Black Rock in Rila
The route starts from the northeastern outskirts of the Borovets resort, at a parking lot which, if you are coming from Samokov, is located on the right side of the road. Next to the parking area there are newly built buildings, some of them abandoned. At the parking lot, you will find an information board with a map of Rila and marked hiking trails. Directional signs next to it – for Maritsa Hut, Zavrachitsa Hut, and the Black Rock – point to the dirt road leading up the mountain, which you should follow.
Parking coordinates: 42.271888, 23.617426
Rock coordinates: 42.260761, 23.642854
Parking coordinates: 42.271888, 23.617426
Rock coordinates: 42.260761, 23.642854
Route Features
The trail is well marked with directional signs and, in some places, blue markings. For most of the time, you follow a wide dirt road, and at almost all junctions you should keep left. Just stay on the main dirt road. After about 50 minutes of walking, you reach a wide open area with tables and benches for rest. Just before them, on the left, there is a marked path leading to the Black Rock. From this turn-off, it takes about 5 minutes to reach the rock itself, passing by an old gazebo on the way. From the top of the rock, and even a bit before it, you get beautiful panoramic views to the northeast over the villages of Raduil and Maritsa. In the distance, further east, you can also see the town of Dolna Banya. The site is secured with a sturdy metal railing. The entire route is nearly 4 kilometers long and takes about one hour one way.
The trail can be completed in about 2–3 hours total, not counting breaks.
The trail can be completed in about 2–3 hours total, not counting breaks.