Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway
The Rhodope Narrow Gauge is a regular train service of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ). Operating from Septemvri to Dobrinishte with stations at Razlog and Bansko. There are 4 trains per day in both directions and winds its way through the Rhodope and Pirin mountain ranges.
The 2024 timetable can be viewed here
Purchase on-line tickets here: https://bileti.bdz.bg
It runs on a track gauge of 760mm and is the only railway in Bulgaria operating at that width, it is about half the normal standard gauge of mainline railways which has a width of 1435 mm. The journey time is about 5 hours with an average speed of 25 km/h.
Also known as the Alpine railway in the Balkans. The line passes through beautiful mountain areas with many scenic spots to admire and travels through 35 tunnels. The highest point of the route is Avramovo station which is situated 1267 meters above sea level and is famous for being known as the highest railway station in the Balkans.
The railway was built in several stages between 1921 and 1945 and has a total length of 125km. As this is the only narrow gauge railway in Bulgaria, the Rhodope railway is used both by local people and tourists alike, it has also been used in the making of many movies and videos.
At Septemvri it meets the standard-gauge railway, Sofia–Plovdiv line which creates a unique way of travelling to Bansko or Razlog.
A beautiful video showing the Rhodope narrow gauge winding through the mountains.
There are twenty five stations along the route, these are:
Septemvri - Pamporovo - Varvara - Marko Nikolov - Tsepina - Dolene - Kostandovo - Velingrad - Velingrad South - Ostrets - Tsvetino - Sveta Petka - Avramovo - Smolevo - Cherna Mesta - Yakoruda - Yurukovo - Dagonovo - Belitsa - General Kovachev - Guliyna Banya - Razlog - Bansko - St. George - Dobrinishte
Journey back in time and stop at the highest station in the Balkans.
Settle back and take life at a slower pace as the train trundles through the magnificent scenery of the Rhodope mountains. As you pass through tiny rural communities take note of the loops, bridges and tunnels that allow the train to climb to Avramovo, 1267 metres above sea level. They are a very impressive feat of engineering
(Minimum group size 2)
Departs Bansko daily 10.20am
Price: 45 Euros
Included in the price: train ticket and return by minibus
please quote "Narrow gauge day trip"
Visit Belmeken Dam by Train
Take a train journey to the highest station on the Balkan Peninsula and visit one of the largest and highest lakes in Rila.
A great opportunity to enjoy the miraculous views of the Rila Mountains going in an old authentic train stopping at Avramovo - the highest railway station on the Balkan Peninsula, located at 1267 m above sea level.
Your guide will be waiting for you at this station and will drive you by car to the beautiful Belmeken dam, located at 1 923 m above sea level. There you will have enough time for walking and taking pictures, after which you will enjoy a delicious lunch cooked in traditional style at the Kurtovo hut.
Price: 45 Euros
Included in the price: transport, train ticket and guide.
please quote "Train and lake trip"
Retro Narrowline Trip
From August 3rd to 10th 2024
For the first time in Razlog and the region - a narrowline summer with a retro narrowline.
For the first time, lovers of mountain adventures and walks on the Rhodope Narrow Line will have the opportunity to enjoy something new and different - a mountain journey with a retro train, composed of historical wagons from 1926, 1941 and 1970s.
The Rhodope Retro Narrow Line in the direction - Dobrinishte-Bansko-Razlog - Banya - Yakoruda, offers an exciting tourist trip along part of the route of the highest railway in the Balkans. The unique nature along the route offers a variety of beautiful views.
The initiative is based on a project of Bulgarian State Railways.
.From August 3 to 10, 2024 lovers of train rides will be able to take advantage of a specially prepared and interesting train route composed of retro wagons. The composition of the retro train consists of a diesel locomotive, three retro wagons, a bistro wagon and a passenger car.
The retro narrow line will run according to the following schedule and program: the train leaves Dobrinishte Station at 9:00 am, passes through Bansko at 9:15, at 9:30 the train leaves Razlog Station and leaves Banya at 9:40.
The last stop on the route is Yakoruda, where a 4-hour stay is planned. During their stay, passengers will be able to visit the municipal mineral beach, located in the immediate vicinity of the railway station or take a mountain hike to the late-ancient and medieval fortress Kalyata, located on a hill of the same name in the outskirts of Yakoruda, overlooking 3 mountains.
At 14:30 the train leaves back to Dobrinishte station.
Tickets can be purchased online, at the counter in Bansko or on the spot on the train. For children, the price of the ticket is half.
Requests by phone: 0892 288 220
The station at Razlog
Bansko station which is situated behind the bus station.
Further information on the Rhodope narrow gauge railway can be found on wikipedia here