Bilyanska: Routes to the Arda Spring

Bilyanska lies at 1,730 meters above sea level, below Ardin Peak. Trails through the village lead toward the Arda Spring and Mount Kom; a marked trail to the spring starts in Bilyanska. This gives the village a specific starting point for a trip centered on the landscape and hiking routes.

Bilyanska and the Arda Spring

Bilyanska is considered the starting point of the Arda’s main spring. The Arda Spring is one of 17 springs that form the beginning of the river. Water emerges at the spring beneath a large beech tree. This connection between the village, the river’s source, and the spring area gives the surroundings a clear focus on nature, which is also reflected in the marked trails.

Marked trails and walking time

A marked trail to the Arda Spring starts in Bilyanska and crosses broad meadows. Along the way, there are views of Gorna Arda, Bilyantsi, Mount Kom, and Great Perelik Peak. Trails through Bilyanska also lead toward Mount Kom. This lets you choose between the spring area as your destination and other places to visit in the landscape.

You can drive to the end of the paved road near Bilyanska; from there, continue along a marked trail. The hike from Bilyanska to the Arda Spring takes about one hour. A marked trail continues from the spring to Ardin Peak. From Ardin Peak, visitors can see both the Bulgarian and Greek parts of the Rhodope Mountains. The approximate walking time refers to the route to the spring; continuing to the summit is another option. Road conditions can change, so check them before setting off.

Event and rest at the spring area

A tourist gathering takes place at the Arda Spring every year on the third Saturday in August. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the date before you leave.

Fire pits, gazebos, and a shelter are provided at the spring area for picnicking and resting. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit. On the way back from the Arda Spring, you can enjoy fresh trout at the Dyadova Ryaka complex; check its availability before visiting.

Accommodation in Bilyanska

Guesthouses in Bilyanska offer accommodation for relaxation and holidays. Check availability separately for your preferred dates.

More destinations in the wider Smolyan destination

The wider Smolyan destination includes distinct cultural and nature attractions. In Mogilitsa, the Agushevi Konatsi are designated a cultural monument of national importance for their artistic and historical value. In Stoykite, the exhibition “The Bagpipe: Old and Eternal” opened in 2022. It presents bagpipe art and the traditional craft of bagpipe making from all of Bulgaria’s folklore regions. The interactive exhibition combines a museum, an ethnographic art gallery, and a sound installation. Check current access locally.

Near Koshnitsa, a marked hiking trail leads to the entrance of Kaleto Cave; there are rest stops along the route. At the Kaleto cave complex, visitors can also try a 40-meter alpine swing jump. The rope is secured at the highest point of the rock arch. Check locally before your trip to see whether the activity is available.

Uhlovitsa Cave is located near Koshnitsa in the wider Smolyan destination. Its developed section is 330 meters long and is reached by a path with 280 metal steps. The cave itself is 460 meters long and about 3.5 million years old. Its dendritic formations strongly resemble marine corals.

Discover more destinations: Bosilkovo, Devin, Chepelare, Zlatograd, Polkovnik Serafimovo, Smolyan, Gela, Pamporovo

Back to the wider travel overview: Smolyan Province.