Borovets is a popular mountain resort situated on the northern slopes of Rila Mountains, in the Bulgarian province of Sofia. It is located 12 kilometers from Samokov, 73 kilometers from Sofia, and 125 kilometers from Plovdiv. Known as Chamkoriya until the middle of the 20th century, it is the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria with its foundation dating back to 1896. It was originally established by Bulgarian kings as their hunting grounds at the end of the 19th century. It subsequently developed into a modern ski resort that features an average network of ski runs along the slope of the Rila Mountains, budget and luxury hotels, haute cuisine restaurants, and lively bars, cafes and shops.Set amongst the stunning scenery of the atmospheric pine forests of the Rila Mountains, and with snow conditions among the best in Eastern Europe, skiing is undoubtedly the foremost attraction that Borovets has to offer its visitors during the winter months, and beyond. Snow permanently covers the slopes of Borovets for more than 1.5 meters thick from November to May. During January, the temperature drops to -4°C.
Situated up the Rila Mountains at 1,350 meters, Borovets features three ski centers with the highest skiing area set at 2,560 meters. First of the three is the Central Borovets, which starts from an altitude of 1,337 meters up to 1,780 meters. Yastrebetz, the second ski center, has an altitude of 1,340 meters up to 2,369 meters, while the last of the three, Markudjik, has an elevation of 230 meters to 2,550 meters.
Within the resort are 19 ski runs of varying degrees of difficulty, which totals to a length of 58 kilometers. These tracks are divided according to their level of difficulty, from green to black, and can satisfy any skill level from beginning to advanced skiers. Some of the ski runs found in Borovets are the following: Sitnyakovo ski track, classified as green, and runs for 6,000 meters with no inclination, Sitnyakovo 1a, classified as blue, and runs for 5,800 meters with an inclination of 400 meters, and Martinovi Baraki 5, classified as green, and runs for 5,000 meters with no inclination.
The several ski tracks in Borovets that are classified as red are the following: Sitnyakovo 2, which runs for 4000 meters with an inclination of 250 meters, Yastrebets 3, which runs for 2,350 meters with an inclination of 617 meters, Markujik 3, which runs for 1, 240 meters at an inclination of 390 meters, Martinovi Baraki 2, which runs for 1,160 meters at an inclination of 280 meters, and Sitnyakovo 3, that runs for 1,000 meters at an inclination of 220 meters.
Lastly, the ski tracks that are classified as black are as follows: Yastrebets 1, which runs for 2,300 meters at an inclination of 860 meters, Lavinata, which runs for 830 meters with no inclination, and Yastrebets, which runs for 800 meters and has no inclination.
The cross-country trails in Borovets are 35 kilometers long at a minimum width of 6 meters. The design of the trails was according to the specifications of the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS). Other attractive features of Borovets include the ski school, wherein the instructions may be given in a grouped or by individual and the lessons may last for a few or several days, ski kindergarten for children aged 4 to 8 years, facilities for biathlon, night skiing, ski-doos, and ski jumping.
Borovets is also a hiker’s paradise with its numerous hiking trails that start from the resort along marked routes that leads to various sites in the Rila Mountains. One of the signatures hiking from Borovets is the one leading to Chernata Skala, more commonly known as Black Rock. It takes the hikers through centuries-old pine forests, passing flower-filled meadows, and across idyllic streams.
Visitors can also ascent the highest peak in Bulgaria from Borovets, which is Mount Moussala at 2,925 meters. The Yastrebets hotel is the starting point for the ascent, where one could start on foot, or by gondola, to the first leg of the trail, which is Moussala hut at the foot of the mountain. Hiking from the foot of the mountain to the summit takes less than two hours.
On the other hand, starting off from the Rila Monastery allows one to set out on several marked hiking routes around the Rila Mountains. Some of the signature destinations one could get to when starting off from the Rila Monastery are the Ribni Ezera Chalet, Macedonia Chalet, Ivan Vazov Chalet, 7 Rila Lakes Chalet, and to the peak and chalet of Malyovitsa.
Mountain excursions are most ideal during the months of June, July, August, and September, During these months, the meadows of the higher elevations are lush and in full bloom, offering picturesque scenery and verdant views. Winter climbing is also possible, with February and March as the most suitable months.
After a day in the slopes or a trek in the mountain, the numerous hotels in Borovets provide the most ideal accommodations. Visitors can have their choice of budget or luxury accommodations from the list of hotels and apartments found in the resort. Some of the well-established hotels in Borovets include the Rila Hotel, Chalet Mariela, Hotel Bor and Edelweiss, Hotel Breza, Villa Stresov, Flora apartments, Villa Park Apartments, Malina Villas, and Yagoda Villas.
All-year round entertainment in Borovets is provided by the bars, nightclubs, and discos in the resort, complimented by restaurants that serve typical Bulgarian cuisine and vintages. Folklore evenings provide visitors a cultural connection to the area’s rich folklore traditions, a taste of the hearty local food, and a visit to quaint villages and historic sites.
An investment and development project in Borovets, dubbed as the SUPER BOROVETS PROJECT, is currently on the way which aims to transform the area into a year-round resort featuring amusement facilities, swimming pools, football fields, tennis courts, and other playgrounds for practicing active sports. It ultimately aims to develop the tourism sector, with the help of the locals, whilst maintaining the eco-balance of the region. And upon completion, the current Borovets town will have encompassed the neighboring towns of Samokov and Beli Iskar.
The resort will be divided into three levels, in which the prices in each level will cater to a wide range of visitors. Level 1, or Low Borovets, is aimed to cater to the less well-off visitors but will have good connection and transport to Borovets and the main ski areas. 5,000 hotel rooms are expected from this project. Level 2, or Borovets, consist of the existing Borovets with extensive investments and developments, where in, it will be the main accommodating area. Level3, or Super Borovets, will cater to visitors who are in search of luxury accommodations, although it will only provide 2,500 rooms. Twelve additional lifts will be built to cope with the higher demands for lifts and gondolas. One of these lifts will be a multi-station gondola which connects Borovets to Samokov.
The project started in 2004, and was originally estimated to be completed by 2009. However, several setbacks have somewhat delayed the project.
In spite of years of being a popular mountain resort, the property market in Borovets is not as well-developed as the property markets in Bansko or Pamporovo. However, the SUPER BOROVETS project has increased the investment interests, consequently leading to increases in property prices in Borovets town and the near-by villages. In addition, the predicted influx of tourists into the bustling ski resort provides an ideal rental market that has considerable potential for investment returns. Securing an excellent off-plan property whilst the project is still in its development stages could provide investors enormous return of investment as the property prices in Borovets will undoubtedly increase once the development is complete.
Property prices in Borovets vary, depending on their location from the ski lifts and property facilities. The most common off-plan properties available in Borovets are apartments and ski chalets, while the type of resale properties are often traditional villas with larger living space and offers greater value for money.