Belintash- the worthiest experience

Hours of walking, few instances of falling over, climbing steep rocks. None of that mattered anymore. I let the view at the top of Belintash settle in, it didn’t, I was in awe, I knew in my heart from this moment that this place was truly magical.

Belintash is a landmark in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, above Asenovgrad (the city of weddings). Some say it was used for cults by the ancient Thracian. Others will tell you that it fills you with good energy (personally I agree). No one knows for sure. What we do know about it is that not many people do know about it. Why? Call me biased (because I am Bulgarian) but I find this to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. And even know, months after visiting I cannot forget that amazing view and the feeling that I was on top of the world. Nothing beats experiences like this.

The path to the top is actually very difficult, involving about an hour or more of walking (depending on where you park), you have to be ready for heavy hiking, come prepared. Don’t do what I did, I was not aware of the difficult journey, so I wore denim shorts and a t-shirt. Not the best gear. I would recommend comfortable shoes with a good grip, leggings or other stretchy bottoms, and a light and flowy top. It also will be worth taking a backpack, but make sure it’s not heavy, take essentials like water and a camera (yes that’s an essential when you’re going somewhere so beautiful). A hiking stick would be useful, but it becomes a burden once you get to the rocky part. Also taking your dog is allowed.

Halfway up there is a church, now I am not particularly religious, but I met a lady there, who runs the place and puts all her funds into keeping it since the government seems to have a problem with it. This woman, quite elderly, was such an inspirational woman. She has beliefs and fights for them, she’s there all year round and has seen the sick get healthier just by visiting daily, she has seen tourists going up and down the mountain many, many times. However, one story has really left a mark on me, now this is a rough translation since she speaks Bulgarian but it’s just as amazing nonetheless.

“I met a man” she told us “who came back to life” (I see you with your eyebrows raised, let me explain in more detail) “his friends would push him up in a wheelchair every single day, they’d be up at the top all day and then climb back down only to return the next day. He then returned with a walking stick, then started to walk, he really was walking again! By the end of the year he was running up and down the mountain every day, the life back in his eyes. To me that is proof miracles do happen”

Now to all my non-superstitious readers, bear with me. Because at first, I too, was sceptical of all the good vibes talk. But as I got closer to the cliffs I started feeling happier, lighter on my feet, I must have been walking for over an hour, but I felt full of energy and ready to walk another two. Once I got to the top I sat down, my brain struggling to process what I was looking at. I saw rest of the mountains below us stretching out into a sea of evergreens, and even as someone who is scared pf heights I felt relaxed, the same as when I’m you sit on the beach and just listen to the waves, but different. I felt the wind as it played with my hair and the good energy surrounding me. I never wanted to leave!

All in all, Belintash was an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone. Pictures cannot describe the feeling you get when you visit. Although we cannot have any solid proof that the place is miraculous. I truly believe that it is.