Other Activities As well as skiing and snowboarding in the winter there are many other activities around Bansko. All can be booked ahead if needed. Golf: In late spring of 2007 A new golf club will be built offering a great golf course at an affordable price. The golf course is costing 62 million euros to develop and is being designed by Ian Woosnam. The Pirin Golf Holidays Club will be located in the Razlog Valley at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, just three km from the ski resort of Bansko. The “holiday village” will include spa and sports centres, shops, a horse-riding centre and a professional 18-hole, par 72 golf course. The gentle undulations and mature pine trees are set against the picturesque mountains which provide a perfect backdrop. The small rock outcroppings and general rocky nature of the soil gives the entire site a rugged quality which is in keeping with the surroundings. Following a Press Conference in Sofia, Ian Woosnam spoke about his excitement to be involved with the project in Bulgaria with The Pirin Golf Club. “I’ve done a few golf courses in different parts of the world,” he told the news conference, “but I have to say this is the most impressive that I’ve seen”.
Ian Woosnam- course designer. Climbing: There are Lots of opertunities to climb whether you are a beginner or an expert. If needed I can organize climbing trips for complete beginners up to advanced climbers. Bulgaria's mountainous terrain makes the opportunities for climbing practically limitless. For experienced climbers there are various rock formations in the Bulgarian mountains, which can be divided into several climbing areas. The most visited sites as well as those used for training are secured with special extra-safe wedges with a very high safety degree. Prices including instructor, equipment and luch from around £18 for 1 day. Pirin Mountain : Climbing sites in the area of peaks like Vihren, Sinanitza, Jengal, Atmegdan and others. They require longer passages (2-3 hours). The most impressive and most frequently visited climbing site is the North wall of Vihren peak where the level change is 400 m, which is the biggest in Bulgaria. This is the Bulgarian Aiger. The rock consists of lime and marble and is highly friable. Nevertheless, there are 7 or 8 routings with length of up to 13 ropes and up to 5th level of difficulty. Only some of them are equipped with safety wedges. The style of climbing is free and the typical chimneys and ledges are used. The approach is from Vihren chalet and it takes 2 hours. The descent is performed through Vihren peak (2915 m), which is the highest peak in Pirin.
Rila Mountains : The mountain climbing sites are grouped mainly in the vicinity of Maliovitsa peak. This seems to be the paradise for the mountaineers in Bulgaria. The rocks are of solid coarse-grained granite. The routings are marked and equipped with safety wedges. The difficulty level can be up to 6th-7th level and the maximum rope length is 5 to 7 ropes. The climbing style is mainly free but there are routings where artificial supports are used. The approach starts from Maliovitsa chalet and it takes an hour or two to reach most of the climbing sites from there. Beautiful peaks with an altitude of 2500-2700 m are climbed from which there is a panoramic view of the whole mountain. Walking: Few countries can rival Bulgaria's superb mountain scenery, and 35,000km. of trails on which to explore them. Its natural beauty and the rich diversity of fauna and flora are a natural asset treasured by the formation of no less than ten national parks. The Rila and the Pirin rival the alps with their rugged peaks, great ridges and panoramic vistas, yet the Bulgarian mountains are relatively little visited in comparison to their more famous European neighbouring ranges; here you can really appreciate the peace and tranquility, and enjoy a sense of breaking new ground. Hiking trips can be booked ahead ranging from 1 day outings to 3 day treks. Please contact me for details. A day trip, with lunch, will cost from around £18 per person with guide, a 2 day trek, including food and accomadation, will cost £35 and a longer 3 day trek will cost around £50 with food and accomadation included. Mountain Biking: There are miles of beautiful forest tracks to be explored. Bikes can be hired with or without a guide. For guided trips prices Start at around £18 for a day trip with lunch included. 2 day trips with overnight stay and food included costs around £40 and a 3 day trip costs around £55 with 2 nights accomadation and food included. Off Road Safari: Travelling by jeep experience the wildlife of the Rila and Pirin Mountains. Cost around £30 per person. White Water Rafting: In the Stuma or Mesta rivers. Price includes equipment, instuctor and lunch £35.
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