The Stob Pyramids

This short hike (entrance fee charged to maintain the site) will take you above the Stob Pyramids, a natural site that is magnificent at the end of the day, formed by erosion.

Details

n°1157276

Creation:
17 May 2018

Last update:
09 Jul 2025

Last review:
09 Jul 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 1.90 mi
Average duration: 1h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 548 ft
Descent: - 548 ft
Highest point: 2,165 ft
Lowest point: 1,617 ft

Country: Bulgaria
Start/End: N 42.096513° / E 23.112886°
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Photos

Description of the walk

The start is at the car park just above the church.

(S/E) Collect your tickets at the gatehouse, go through the barrier and follow the track which climbs gently.

(1) At the end of the track, the path branches off to the left into the woods. The slope becomes steeper.
After a steep, slippery climb in a straight line, you’ll reach a first interesting viewpoint.

(2) Continue along the path overlooking the pyramids to a second, even more impressive viewpoint.

(3) For those with a head for heights and sure-footedness, there is the option to continue by following the path to the left above the pyramids.
After a short narrow section, you’ll reach a short steep climb with steps before arriving on a wider path.
This takes you to the end of the route, facing more pyramids, with a beautiful view of the Rila Mountains and, in the distance to the south-east, the Pirin.

(4) Return via the same route (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,617 ft - Car park just above the church
1 : mi 0.54 - alt. 1,827 ft - End of the trail
2 : mi 0.75 - alt. 1,998 ft - First viewpoint
3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 2,073 ft - Second viewpoint
4 : mi 0.95 - alt. 2,165 ft - Third viewpoint
S/E : mi 1.9 - alt. 1,617 ft - Car park just above the church

Notes

Entrance fee: 4 lev/person (approx. €2) in 2025.
Slippery path, wear at least good trainers.

Worth a visit

The pyramids are even more beautiful at the end of the day.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

osiris130

09 Jul 2025 at 22:20 7200

Thanks, Mike, for your feedback on this little hike. I hope you really enjoyed this lovely spot!

I’ll update the description...

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Mickanside

22 May 2025 at 19:31 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The price is now 4 BGN, or about €2… But wait! Although I also went up to see the Melnik Pyramids on the same day (the Viso hike is coming up 😇), this route is much more accessible; there are plenty of benches and shelters along the way, and the terrain is much easier to navigate. Ah! And no more steep climb at the end of the route between (3) and (4)! A flight of steps has been installed, so we can say that 100% of the route is now accessible to everyone! Thank you, Osiris, for sharing this; I’m delighted to have followed in your footsteps in Bulgaria, with the colours of a magnificent sunset as a bonus
PS: By the way, the beautiful Rali Monastery is just a few kilometres away!

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William sabliet

27 Feb 2024 at 17:01 3600

Hello Osiris 130. Thank you.

I’ve just found it, but the directions to Stob are misleading; the village of Stob is located near the A3 southern motorway from Sofia towards Greece.
So it’s mainly to the west of Rila Monastery (Rilski Manastir). If you’re coming from Sofia, don’t follow the sign for the Rila Monastery exit (see the name in brackets). You must continue on the motorway and take the Blagovgrad / Barakovo exit. In Barakovo, take the main street, Christo Botev (христо ботев), and about 200 metres after the bridge over the river, turn right onto Anton Ivanov Street. You leave the town with the river on your right. The road is called Vasil Levski (Васил Левски) and you’ll reach Stob after about 5 km. For historical context, the street names are those of the heroes of the Bulgarian uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which had invaded and occupied the country for five centuries.
THANK YOU.

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osiris130

26 Feb 2024 at 21:05 3600

Hello William,

The nearest village is Stob (the starting point for the hike), a few kilometres south of Rila (famous for its magnificent monastery).

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William sabliet

26 Feb 2024 at 16:38 3600 • Edited: 26 Feb 2024 at 16:39 3600

Hello,
What is the nearest town or large village?
Because trying to find it on a map of Bulgaria is impossible without a satnav.
THANK YOU.

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Camille-travel

17 May 2021 at 23:47 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk. It’s surprising to find scenery like this right in the heart of the mountains.

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Randominique

16 Sep 2019 at 16:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A walk after passing the ticket booth. Depending on the time, you might have to pay or not... It’s not expensive – 1 lev, I think, or 2... 2 lev = €1
A lovely walk. It’s a gentle climb.
About an hour there and back. Good restaurant
At the start of the trail. Worth a visit on the way to
to Rila Monastery or at the end of the day

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