Expedition Rhodopi East 2021 – Kormisosh, Mumdzhidam, Murga, Bezdiven peak and Radimir peak

We are offering you the most serious challenge of our CampingMania series – trademark of TrekMania. We are about to embark on this unique adventure in undoubtedly, the most authentic, wild and preserved parts of the Rhodopi mountain – Kormisosh and the rivers Borovitsa and Arda tributaries areas. In the past dozens of small villages and hamlets sheltered thousands of people here but their land was the wildest and in the most remote corner of Bulgaria with the perfect conditions for wildlife population. The area was turned into a natural reserve and now it is the kingdom of bears, wolves, wild goats, mouflons, deer and wild boars. Only occasional stone houses scattered on the mountain slopes remind of the old times. Four nights and five phenomenal treks are lying ahead of us during which we will visit a few historical and now abandoned villages and regions – Gune mahala, Mumdzhidam, Zhaltusha and Gyaur Mahala, Murgite, Memeler and Kushla. We will get close to the mystical rock formations Saru kaya, Olan kaya, Kalpak kaya, Asar kaya, Siran kaya… The organised transportation will allow us to carry only light luggage needed for a day or two, will supply us with food and beverages during the entire trip and the final night we’ll spend in a luxurious guest house by Kardjali dam. Come along with us in the wild - don’t hesitate – the availability is limited.

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Description (by day)

Departure from Паркинга пред Национален стадион "Васил Левски" at 05:10 o'clock

• 1
  

  We will drive off to the high areas of Hambar Dere and Kormisosh nature reserve. We will take just light backpacks needed for the next two days and will set off for the adventure. Today will be mainly descending but we will feel it after the first half of the trek. To begin with we’ll climb a couple of panoramic peaks – Irikutu and Chilyaka - revealing views of most of the peaks and places we will visit in the next few days. During the entire time today, the valley Hambar dere with a few abandoned villages along its length will be winding below. We will visit one of these abandoned villages rising above the valley – Sharen Nos - with just a few houses left. However, the view from the nearby peak Chilyaka will be phenomenal. As if on a palm in front of us we will see the impressive Sara kaya, Mumdzhidam kingdom, Borovitsa dam and of course - Hambar dere.  We’ll be heading down towards its depths after a break and time for photos. Our final goal for the day will be the village Gune where we’ll set up our first camp and will have a well-deserved rest for the night.

  Денивелация (+): 450 м. Денивелация (-): 1050 м. Разстояние: 12 км.

• 2
  

  We will have breakfast and coffee around the dying out campfire and will get ready for the day while the mountain is still waking up. We will start with climbing the peak rising above the village – Saru Kaya peak (not to be confused with the rock Saru Kaya which we’ll visit in the afternoon). From here we’ll have a look into the depths of the valley Bachva Dere – the heart and possibly the wildest area of Kormisosh nature reserve. From the top we’ll continue along a flat footpath towards the transportation where we’ll be able to refill our food supplies for the next two nights and exchange clothes if needed. We’ll then carry on towards the legendary village area Mumdzhidam. The road will go through Dzhamy Tepe and the abandoned land of village Chakar where there are hardly any remains left and will start gradually descending to the next campsite. We’ll come out of the forest and there it will be – Kingdom Mumdzhidam! The first sight of this unique place is always hard to describe. The small white stone houses lined up on the slopes like toys and the surrounding green pastures look like a surreal mirage! We’ll walk down to them and will leave the luggage at the campsite. After lunch we’ll set up the tents and will enjoy a well-deserved break followed by a walk to the village/hamlet Zhaltusha and the majestic rock Sara Kaya – a rock formation without analogue. We’ll spend another night around the campfire.

  Денивелация (+): 1200 м. Денивелация (-): 1170 м. Разстояние: 13 км.

• 3
  

  We’ll be getting up early to prepare for one of the most challenging treks in this adventure. We’ll start with visiting Gyaur Mahala – a few abandoned houses with an amazing view of the river Borovitsa and its tributaries. We’ll stop for pictures here, then walk over the crest and will descend to the depths of the thin valley Kodja Dere and village Kara Bekir. Situated above an idyllic meadow along the river Sarayar, the remains of the about 10 houses of the village look like buried in time. Time for a break here and we’ll continue towards Kalpak Kaya – a 24 m high natural rocky massive looking as if appeared from nowhere, perched on the bare valley slope. Climbing up towards the saddle Musa Gedick will follow where we’ll leave the backpacks for a short while to have a small detour to the remains of village Golyama Murga – now home of calves and herds of goats. We’ll take pictures of the panoramic view of Zhenda and the final high peak for this trip – Bezdiven – before heading back to the luggage. From here the footpath is only downhill towards village Malka Murga. Its few inhabitants breed cows, goats and even bees! We’ll carry on to the bottom of the valley Karaman Dere and if having enough time, we’ll climb up to the ruins of the Thracian fortress Kara Kayala. In the late afternoon we’ll reach the rive-bed of Karaman Dere and will set up the campsite. There will be an opportunity to “shower” in the nearby waterfall after the 3 days spent in the wild. Another evening around the campfire will follow.

  Денивелация (+): 850 м. Денивелация (-): 1150 м. Разстояние: 14 км.

• 4
  

  Today will be our second to last trek in the mountain – we’ll clear up the camp and will leave. Our first goal will be situated very close. We’ll introduce you Olan Kaya - а rock rising above 30 m high like an obelisk and in a complete contrast with the surrounding environment. Hence its name meaning “unique” or “one of a kind”. We’ll stop for pictures here before beginning the lengthy ascent to Yamalak Tepe rising above village Jenda. Our goal, however, will be the nearby hamlet Sokolite, a famous rock shaped like a giant mushroom and the ruins of the fortress Asar Kaya. We’ll then descend to village Voynovo and will see another natural phenomenon along the way – Olski Kamak. The transportation will be waiting for us at the village with new food supplies and clothes – we’ll leave back anything unnecessary and will take enough food just for one more night in the mountain and one more serious trek. We’ll then cross the river Borovitsa one last time, will head towards village Memeler and will set up the camp just 2-3 km away from it. Time for a well-deserved rest before the next day most difficult challenge.

  Денивелация (+): 850 м. Денивелация (-): 900 м. Разстояние: 14 км.

• 5
  

  We’ll be getting up at dawn – a full traverse of the ridge Bezdiven and peak Radimir are lying ahead of us. We’ll start with climbing a small ridge revealing amazing view of Kashla Mahala village. The more we carry on climbing, the more the horizon will open up and will show the countless wild valleys and peaks we walked through in the last few days. We’ll reach Bezdiven peak and will leave our luggage there so we can do a short detour to the very top – a place with indescribable beauty. Every step towards it will be worth it. From here we’ll be walking mainly downhill but won’t miss a few smaller hills along the way. The first one will be the rocky formation Siran Kaya, followed by Kyuchuk Kaya. We’ll then climb Radimir peak where the fortress-sanctuary Kazanla is situated. Time for pictures and we’ll set off for the final section of the trip – a descent to the fortress Patmos. A boat will be waiting for us here and we’ll sail across Kardzhali dam to finish this memorable adventure… This won’t be all however – delicious food, comfortable rooms and a pool with plenty of beer will be waiting for us at the hotel/guest house.

  Денивелация (+): 950 м. Денивелация (-): 800 м. Разстояние: 12 км.

• 6
  

  We’ll be enjoying ourselves at the guest house till the early afternoon when we’ll drive off to Sofia. And of course, we won’t forget to stop at a famous home-made pastry shop in Asenovgrad to fill in our big “metabolic” gap with a few pastries and cakes. Arrival in Sofia after 7:00 pm.

   

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