Chepelare

The town of Chepelare, located about 10 km from Pamporovo and 30 km from Smolyan, is a picturesque mountain town in the central part of the Rhodope Mountains. At an altitude of 1,232 meters, Chepelare is the second-highest town in Bulgaria after Dospat and is often called “the green heart of Bulgaria” due to its vast forest areas and fresh mountain air.

In addition to ski tourism, Chepelare is renowned for its global presence in the winter sports industry. The town is home to Amer Sports Bulgaria – one of the largest ski factories in the world, and part of the international company Amer Sports. Founded in 1972, the factory produces skis for leading brands such as Atomic and Salomon, holding around 24% of the global market share. Thus, Chepelare has established itself not only as a popular destination for skiers but also as an innovation and technology hub for winter sports.

The town has a long-standing sports tradition; It is the hometown of Ekaterina Dafovska, Bulgaria’s most successful biathlete, who made history by winning a gold medal at the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998 – the only Olympic gold for Bulgaria in winter sports. Her career also includes a European title and two bronze medals from World Championships, making her a true legend in biathlon. Chepelare is also the hometown of Radoslav Yankov, winner of the Snowboard World Cup in parallel disciplines in 2016. In 1998, the town opened its Museum of Sports and Skiing.

In Chepelare, visitors can explore several churches and museums and enjoy the local cuisine. The town is also known for hosting the National Haidouk Festival “Captain Petko Voyvoda”, held in early October, offering a unique cultural experience with reenactments of historical events.

Another notable attraction is the Chaya Cave Dwelling, which contains artifacts dating back to the 11th–10th century BCE. Among the finds are a tooth from a cave lion and bones of a cave bear, making it one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in the region.

A natural landmark worth visiting is the centuries-old Chepelare Spruce Tree, also known as “Chepelare’s Brave Youths.” This unique tree has 23 branches, formed due to genetic mutations. It’s accessible via a hiking trail or by lift and is a pleasant place to visit year-round.

Another point of interest is the Mechi Chal Panoramic Platform, situated at 1,852 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Chepelare also serves as an excellent base for visiting the Wonderful Bridges, a natural rock phenomenon located at 1,450 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Golyam Persenk. These stunning rock arches attract thousands of visitors each year with their majestic views and fresh mountain air. For adventure lovers, the area features alpine zip lines and eco-trails, providing excellent opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.

Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting various species between April and September, including lesser spotted eagles, black ravens, and black storks. About 14 km from Chepelare lies the National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen, which offers both daytime and nighttime star observations.