Elitsa Grancharova is not exactly the type of person who goes with the flow, but in this case she takes you down the river for a weekend.

To escape the big city and go in search of adrenaline-boosting adventure, head for the swift currents of one of Bulgaria’s biggest rivers, the Struma. It springs in Vitosha mountain near Sofia, flows down to Greece and runs into the Aegean Sea.

Only 120km south of Sofia in the breathtaking Kresna gorge. The river takes many sharp turns, making the place a perfect spot for adventure tourism in the Tisata nature reserve. This protected area was established in 1949 to preserve the biggest population in Europe of the tree-type juniper and is home to many bird and animal species including turtles.

In the months between April and June, the brave guides from Adventure Net take tourists on one-day trips in the rapidly running waters. For 40 leva (20 euro) a person, one is lent professional equipment, instructions, experienced guidance and insurance. Preparation for the water adventure takes about an hour, and the time you spend in the inflatable raft itself is about one hour to one hour and a half.

Several hot mineral water springs and baths offer rafters and their guides rest in the evening. One can choose between sleeping outside under the stars near the fire (bring your tent), or in a small hotel near the river or in the town of Kresna, a few km south on the bank of the Struma. Accommodation there is about 15 leva a person.

If you still did not have enough adrenaline, for the next day I would recommend canyoning – rappelling trough a waterfall. The nearest, 35m high and also in the beautiful area of the gorge, is on the Kosovo river near Vlahi village. Several other waterfalls are located at the Oshtava river nearby, which runs into Struma as well. A one-day adventure under the tumbling water costs 45 leva.

The area adjoining both banks of the Struma river is truly amazing, with round cliffs and rocks, many other water courses of varying size, and the special flora and fauna of the reserve, as well as the picturesque view of Bulgaria’s second-highest mountain, the Pirin.
For more information on adventure opportunities in the region, visit adventurenetbg.com