Melnik Pyramids - Bulgaria's Natural Wonder

Hello everyone, I'd like to share our travel memories and photos from the Melnik Pyramids, which we visited last autumn. This place takes its name from Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria.

The trip was amazing, with the roads playing a significant role in this experience. The roads in this region are particularly beautiful in autumn. Narrow and winding paths wind around small villages, revealing charming houses or a mesmerizing mountain river at every turn. These sights captivated us all the way to our destination.

Our journey took us through an astonishing landscape. Autumn had made a vivid impression here; trees had shed their leaves and in some places, leaves carpeted the ground. We set off and then continued onto a mountain road. Our goal was to reach the summit and see these amazing pyramids.

We covered a full 7 kilometers on foot. The distance might seem simple, but some sections were quite challenging, even verging on extreme in some places. Rocks were loose in certain areas, demanding careful attention.

The pyramids surrounding Melnik are a spectacle from all angles. Despite their sandy color, they do not overwhelm you. These formations are the reason Melnik was once a powerful fortress city in Southern Bulgaria.

After crossing the bridge, we approached the summit. The view was truly breathtaking. If you're curious about how these pyramids formed, they are the result of erosion. Movements in clay layers caused mountain formations which were then eroded by rain. They are still undergoing change today.

Some slopes of the pyramids are almost sheer, reaching heights of up to 100 meters. Yet, trees and grasses thrive on their summits and domestic animals graze freely. The area is influenced by a Mediterranean climate.

In appearance, the pyramids resemble ancient towers and giant mushrooms. A friend remarked that looking at the photos reminded them of Turkey's Cappadocia region, though we haven't visited ourselves.

There's a specific route marked with white-green-white signs that leads back to Melnik. We retraced our steps to our car as we had another stop to make before nightfall.

The hotel we stayed at within Bulgaria's borders is called Cornelis Hotel. There's a natural spring here which is definitely a soothing spot. The hotel features a lovely SPA area, complete with a jacuzzi, two massage rooms and a relaxation area. We swam a bit, followed by massages and a steam bath.

Later we took a walk towards the train station to further explore the town. The scenery reminded us of Windows screensavers.