Arda: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Arda combines a marked hiking trail to the source of the Arda River with additional routes extending to the border region. Near Arda, a marked trail to the source of the Arda River begins at the hamlet of Bilyanska. This trail is a hike for visitors in the Arda area and is described as offering panoramic views; it leads across extensive meadows. In the area around the source, there are picnic facilities with fireplaces, gazebos and a shelter. A marked path continues from the source to Ardin Peak, a 1,730-metre-high summit on the Bulgarian-Greek border. The source of the Arda River and Ardin Peak lie in a border zone where visitors are advised to carry identification documents and remain on marked trails.

Nature

The approximately three-kilometre-long footpath to the source leads through meadows, deciduous and coniferous forests, gorges and slopes. Vehicles with high ground clearance can reach the start of the footpath. The trail passes the Dyadova Ryaka complex, where visitors can sample trout and other foods described as ecologically clean. A botanical garden in Arda is described as a facility established to preserve local biodiversity.

Culture

Arda is associated with a Thracian sanctuary near Rasiltsa, described as being at least 2,500 years old. There are also two churches built in 882, as well as a map of the Balkans preserved in the Church of St Nicholas.

Activities

Arda offers cycling and horse-riding tourism, a ski lift, the Tarzan's Garden rope park, and rock climbing on a rock next to a church. The tourist information centre in Arda offers cave visits with alpine equipment and trained guides, provides bicycles for cycling tours, offers authentic Rhodope artworks and souvenirs for purchase, and organises horse tours and riding lessons.

Information

The tourist information centre in Arda provides information about self-guided hikes and routes, as well as categorised rural guesthouses. It offers brochures and business cards and provides information about dining establishments. The centre also provides equipment and access to routes with mountain and tour guides.

Routes

BTS Route 303 uses Arda as its starting point after a visit to the Uhlovitsa Cave and returns there after a full-day hike from Mogilitsa. The route includes a meadow hike through Gudevitsa and Gozdevitsa, with an outdoor lunch and a return to Arda. It also includes a path along the Arda River and a visit to Tipets Cave before leading back to Arda.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Arda can continue their accommodation search afterwards. Other destinations: Sokolovtsi, Vievo, Dunevo, Momchilovtsi, Pisanitsa, Shiroka Laka, Solishta, Stoykite.

To the higher-level travel overview: Smolyan.