Kom-Emine

With its beautiful nature, good climate, a vast network of mountain huts that offer food and accommodation, an abundance of water sources, free shelters, picnic areas, and wild camping possibilities, Kom-Emine is a hiker’s paradise and still waiting to be discovered.

It is wild, mountainous, and secluded. Within the first 400km where the town of Kotel marks the beginning of the last part of the journey, the trail only goes through two small villages.

Kom-Emine marks the end of the E3 European long-distance path, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. The Bulgarian segment begins at Mount Kom (2016 m), near the Serbian border, and follows the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), covering almost 600 km to the Black Sea coast.

The trail climbs most major peaks in Bulgaria’s Balkan Mountains, including more than 20 peaks over 2000m, featuring some with alpine relief. The path ends at the Cape Emine lighthouse, the easternmost point of the Balkan Mountains, with Irakli Beach just a short hike away for a refreshing end of your thru-hike.

The Bulgarian section of the E3 route is marked with red markings and signposts. Exposed areas have winter markings with metal poles and azimuth plates. It crosses the town of Kotel and several villages like Lakatnik, Planinitsa, Daskotna, Dobra Polyana, Kozichino and Emona.

The Kom Emine typically takes 21 days for moderately trained hikers, with daily hikes lasting 8 to 15 hours, ending at huts or shelters. Some stages can be shortened for a less strenuous hike. Most of the route does not require special technical skills, but certain sections in the Central Balkan National Park are more challenging and suited for experienced hikers.

In summer, It’s totally OK for a first long-distance hike. The only somewhat technical section is equipped with cables and can also be avoided through an alternate route. The rest is mostly paths and dirt roads that do not require any previous experience. However, in winter, it is absolutely necessary to bring crampons, ice picks, ropes, and avalanche safety gear. Only attempt this if you have vast winter alpinism experience.

The trail passes through limited towns and villages, making grocery options scarce. Mountain huts and shelters offer some meals, and some even offer a wide variety. Some sections lack drinkable water sources, so it’s crucial to carry enough for the day.

July and August are usually the best months. The main challenge during that time is the heat and the midges in the lower eastern part of the trail. June is usually a bit more rainy and muddy and the chance you could get stuck somewhere for days due to bad weather is higher. In September you have shorter days and fewer water sources as some of them tend to dry up later in the summer.

Warning: Hiking Kom-Emine in late autumn/winter/early spring (November to May) is only doable by hikers with vast winter experience at high altitudes, proper alpine equipment, and good knowledge of the specific terrain.

During the summer season, the trail is not technically difficult and does not require any special training or equipment. The only technical section, Dobrila hut to Botev shelter (only about 5km of it), is equipped with cables at the most challenging spots and is not recommended to people with a fear of heights, cyclists, or if there is bad weather. It does require concentration and steady feet. It can however be avoided by an alternative route through Levski hut.

The main hazards you might encounter along the trail are getting lost, thunderstorms, thick fog, hail, freezing temperatures at the upper sections or summer heat at the lower ones, dehydration, ticks and other stinging insects, and shepherd dogs. Here, as anywhere else, general research on the trail and planning each section are essential.

Awareness of the terrain and distance to your next hut and water source are a must. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and know when to avoid exposed sections or call it a day.

In the lower sections, start as early as possible and move fast to avoid the burning afternoon hours. Cover your head and drink plenty of water. Always carry a GPS device with extra batteries.