The route combines the other two distances.
It starts from 20 April Square, and after a short lead-out of the town you’ll pass the monument to Georgi Benkovski. From there comes a long (but gentle) forest climb. Around 4.5 kilometres after the start, you’re already in the heart of Sredna Gora. The trail runs just beneath the peaks of Sveti Iliya and Beliya Kamak, while Bogdan peak comes into view in the distance. And that’s where the course leads you.
Next come 7 relatively flat kilometres, where the terrain constantly shifts between meadows and forest. On this stretch you can work out your strategy for the rest of the course, namely the ascent of Bogdan peak. It begins around 11.5 kilometres after the start and continues for 2 kilometres. Bear in mind that Bogdan is not a typical mountain summit. The high point sits in forest, and it would be entirely possible to miss it if it weren’t for the pyramid marking the top.
After you’ve conquered the highest peak of Sredna Gora, a technical descent follows towards the meadow that holds the remains of the burned-down Bogdan hut. This is also where the aid station is, where you can refuel for the descent down to Koprivshtitsa ahead.
From the Bogdan hut meadow to the start-finish area, a long and gentle descent remains. In good weather, the Rhodopes are visible to the south, and to the north, the ridge of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). The descent is not technical and offers the chance to build up real speed. The only technical section is at the 21st kilometre and lasts about 1 kilometre. The trail is wide but steep, so approach it with care. Next comes a crossing of Kriva Reka and a flat 2 kilometres to the edge of the town. 1.5 kilometres along the cobbled streets of Koprivshtitsa bring you back to 20 April Square, where, passing through the start-finish arch, you begin the final 10 km.
Just half a kilometre after the square, you’re back in the forest. What follows is around 4 kilometres of steady but gentle climbing through the beautiful autumn woods. Once the climb is over, a little over 1 kilometre of flat terrain awaits you at the foot of Golemiya Pop peak. On this flat stretch you’ll also find an aid station, the last one of this near-marathon distance. There you’ll find food, drinks, and of course a good mood from the volunteers staffing it.
Next come views towards the ridge of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), and after this flat kilometre comes a steep descent back towards the town. The descent is almost entirely through forest. And in places there’s no shortage of views over picturesque Koprivshtitsa, nestled between the slopes of Sredna Gora.
At the end of the descent you’re back in the town. A little over 1 kilometre remains along the narrow cobbled streets. This part of the course is already familiar to you — it’s the same as on your first entry into the town. Once again you’ll pass the buildings of the Municipality and the State Forestry Enterprise, and before you know it you’ll finish at 20 April Square.
In short:
- 1130 D+
- Start date/time: 07.11.2026, 10:00
- Cut-off time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Ascent to Bogdan Peak (1,604 m)
- UTMB Index
- GPS Track