The Melnik Pyramids
The Melnik Pyramids
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Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,654 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
The Melnik pyramids are unique sand formations, typical for the region. The name of the smallest town in Bulgaria comes from the old slavonic word "mel" which describes these white sand/clay pyramid-like formations.
They can be seen from any place in Melnik (not so impressive though) but if you want to get a complete experience you have a couple of options. One is to hike the trail from Melnik to the Rozhen Monastery or to get on top of the hills surrounding Melnik. There is a trail starting from the main street before you reach the Wine Museum - there is an old blue board with very brief info about what you are going to see along the trail (the ruins of St Nikola Church, Despot Slav's Fortress, St Virgin Mary Spileotisa Monastery and St Archangels Monastery of St Haralampius). When you climb to the top (the beginning and the end of the trail are relatively steep) there are many places with gorgeous views of the sand pyramids, Pirin mountain, Belasitsa mountain and even Slavyanka mountain on the Bulgarian-Greek border. The other end of that path is at the easternmost side of Melnik, just next to the Litova Kashta hotel over improvised steps of about 300 meters on the slope.
The 'mels' were dug and used for wine cellars, and the residents of the village of Lyubovishte even dug a tunnel in one such sand formation so that the road to the village could pass through it.
After hiking either of the eco-paths you will be ready in all respects to "attack" some of the nice taverns in town and enjoy the delicious dishes and the awesome home-made wine!
They can be seen from any place in Melnik (not so impressive though) but if you want to get a complete experience you have a couple of options. One is to hike the trail from Melnik to the Rozhen Monastery or to get on top of the hills surrounding Melnik. There is a trail starting from the main street before you reach the Wine Museum - there is an old blue board with very brief info about what you are going to see along the trail (the ruins of St Nikola Church, Despot Slav's Fortress, St Virgin Mary Spileotisa Monastery and St Archangels Monastery of St Haralampius). When you climb to the top (the beginning and the end of the trail are relatively steep) there are many places with gorgeous views of the sand pyramids, Pirin mountain, Belasitsa mountain and even Slavyanka mountain on the Bulgarian-Greek border. The other end of that path is at the easternmost side of Melnik, just next to the Litova Kashta hotel over improvised steps of about 300 meters on the slope.
The 'mels' were dug and used for wine cellars, and the residents of the village of Lyubovishte even dug a tunnel in one such sand formation so that the road to the village could pass through it.
After hiking either of the eco-paths you will be ready in all respects to "attack" some of the nice taverns in town and enjoy the delicious dishes and the awesome home-made wine!
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gergely K
Brasov, Romania49 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
The Melnik pyramids are very interesting sand formations surrounding the city. There is a 3.5 km hiking trail offering a great view on the pyramids, not to miss if you are in Melnik. You can take some great photos, or just admire the view.
Trail description: start on Melnik main street, then after the wine museum, take the left side path. Follow a dry sandy riverbed for more than 2 km. There are some ancient walls, and a couple of dams you have to avoid through side paths. The trail is well marked with stone pyramids, and occasional paint markings on trees (white-green-white vertical bars). At a wooden bench leave the riverbed and start climbing a moderately steep path. It is not dangerous, but take care not to slip on small stones. After about 500 m you get to a plateau and some signposts. From here you can follow a short path to a belvedere point near an old oak tree which offers the best view of the sand pyramids around. Climb on the ridge (highest point). After about 100 m there is a moderately dangerous part (narrow ledges with some wooden balustrades). Pass some picnic tables and follow the trail in easy descent for 600 m to Rozhen monastery. From there you have to return to Melnik on this same path, unless you want to walk along the highway (8 km).
It is recommended to use good hiking shoes. In sunny weather use sun protection as there is no shade. In rainy weather take extra care as the path can be slippery. Take about 1 litre of water with you.
Trail description: start on Melnik main street, then after the wine museum, take the left side path. Follow a dry sandy riverbed for more than 2 km. There are some ancient walls, and a couple of dams you have to avoid through side paths. The trail is well marked with stone pyramids, and occasional paint markings on trees (white-green-white vertical bars). At a wooden bench leave the riverbed and start climbing a moderately steep path. It is not dangerous, but take care not to slip on small stones. After about 500 m you get to a plateau and some signposts. From here you can follow a short path to a belvedere point near an old oak tree which offers the best view of the sand pyramids around. Climb on the ridge (highest point). After about 100 m there is a moderately dangerous part (narrow ledges with some wooden balustrades). Pass some picnic tables and follow the trail in easy descent for 600 m to Rozhen monastery. From there you have to return to Melnik on this same path, unless you want to walk along the highway (8 km).
It is recommended to use good hiking shoes. In sunny weather use sun protection as there is no shade. In rainy weather take extra care as the path can be slippery. Take about 1 litre of water with you.
Written August 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette_and_Wes
Houston, TX437 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
We drove up to visit the monastery and then took the trail from there to view the pyramids. Very interesting to see. Great views are a fairly short walk, although some parts are steep.
Written November 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrejaKo
Maribor, Slovenia1,042 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
I am not really sure why this place has 3 names- Melnik, Rozhen and KArlanovo pyramids. Maybe because of the typical shape of the formations? But basically this is one big amazing area, which offers solid hike and stunning views.
1) Do not go up from Melnik, it is a very steep way up. Go from Rozhen monastery. There is parking by the monastery and there is signed route pointing you toward Melnik. Folow the signs.
And when you get to the point where the way starts to go straight down, turn around and go back. This one is relatively easy to do. Recommend for people with kids, older folks and people with less physical activity.
2) Go early, to avoid the heat.
3) Take trekking shoes, sunglasses, a hat an at least 1l of water per person. Or more if you start in Melnik. When heat sets in, your moth get dry in the matter of minutes. We met a couple with flanel shoes, with equipment like on a Sunday walk. Even if it was a Sunday, do not do that. It is a serious walk up there to enjoy the scenery.
4) When done, take some time to enjoy the sight of Rozhen monastery.
1) Do not go up from Melnik, it is a very steep way up. Go from Rozhen monastery. There is parking by the monastery and there is signed route pointing you toward Melnik. Folow the signs.
And when you get to the point where the way starts to go straight down, turn around and go back. This one is relatively easy to do. Recommend for people with kids, older folks and people with less physical activity.
2) Go early, to avoid the heat.
3) Take trekking shoes, sunglasses, a hat an at least 1l of water per person. Or more if you start in Melnik. When heat sets in, your moth get dry in the matter of minutes. We met a couple with flanel shoes, with equipment like on a Sunday walk. Even if it was a Sunday, do not do that. It is a serious walk up there to enjoy the scenery.
4) When done, take some time to enjoy the sight of Rozhen monastery.
Written October 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ST64
Thessaloniki Region, Greece88 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I can not understand what they find in this landscape. You can see it everywhere... If you go to Melnik (Meleniko for the Greeks) tour the village, as it has nice old houses to see.
Written May 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
berlinizer
Berlin, Germany312 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Follow the dried up river bed and then ultimately the signs up. Up up up. 45 mins roughly. You won't regret it. The views from and of the canyon are mind blowing.
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Flying Spaniard
Sofia, Bulgaria2,685 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
The peculiar rocks are amazing, along with the village built on them. It is needed to climb up the hill to have the best views. However it is worth. A place not to miss when you're in Melnik.
Written May 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miri-hu
Budapest, Hungary224 contributions
Aug 2019
Melnik is one of the smallest and most historical cities in the world.
Magical place where historical evidence goes back to the Tracian Medi (Maedi) tribe. (For example, the famous Spartacus was born as a Maedi.) They were followed by Persian, Macedonian, Roman, and Bulgarian nation. The Ottoman rule came in the 14th century and the city became part of free Bulgaria just in 1912.
In the 18th century, the city had 1300 houses, 70 churches and 20,000 inhabitants.
We can find the most beautifull view point of the rock formation near to Sveti Nikolai Church, Slavova Krepost (Fortress of Alexius Slaven Despot) and Sveta Zona (Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God Spileotisa).
Magical place where historical evidence goes back to the Tracian Medi (Maedi) tribe. (For example, the famous Spartacus was born as a Maedi.) They were followed by Persian, Macedonian, Roman, and Bulgarian nation. The Ottoman rule came in the 14th century and the city became part of free Bulgaria just in 1912.
In the 18th century, the city had 1300 houses, 70 churches and 20,000 inhabitants.
We can find the most beautifull view point of the rock formation near to Sveti Nikolai Church, Slavova Krepost (Fortress of Alexius Slaven Despot) and Sveta Zona (Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God Spileotisa).
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ivan A
Sofia, Bulgaria15 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
The Melnik pyramids are rock formations, some of the most visited rock pyramids in Bulgaria. The Pyramids of Melnik reach a height of 100 m. Their slopes are sandy and almost vertical. Absolutely must-see place!
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcin K
7 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
Pyramids are everywhere in Melnik but the best are on the way to Rozhen. Also good view from the Despot Fortress.
Written September 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is December a good season to visit it or it is to cold ? Or unattainable because of the weather ?
Written December 4, 2019
bonjour, I am not used to traveling in this region during wintertimes so I cannot tell you. But I would say, according to what local people said, winters are bitter.
best
Written December 5, 2019
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