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"
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