Bansko Mountain Railway

Introduction

The Septemvri-Dobrinishte narrow-gauge mountain railway opened almost 100 years ago, and is still in daily use today. The line, which visits Bansko as the penultimate stop, is 106 km long and passes through some stunning mountain sections before dropping into the Velingrad Gorge.

There are 35 tunnels among the railroad, and also the highest train station in the Balkans is found here - Avramovi Kolibi located at 1267m above sea level. This railroad is considered one of the most-beautifull in the world, and a round trip only costs about £3!

There are three daily trains each way on the Septemvri-Bansko line, taking about five hours. These are humble local trains and there has been no attempt to make them appealing to tourists, so don't expect any kind of comfort.

Route and Scenery

This narrow gauge line may be the slowest stretch of train track in the Balkans - but rom the tourists point of view this is all to the good - the train may occasionally be outpaced by ambling sheep, but the slow pace makes it easy to lean out of the window to take photos.

The journey begins in the shadow of the Pirin range at either Bansko or nearby Dobrinishte. The line skirts the Rila Mountains, snow-capped for much of the year, before heading into the western Rhodope ranges. The scenery is varied as well as beautiful, with a mixture of deciduous forests, conifers, and open pasture.

Along the way you'll pass the highest station in the Balkans, Muslim villages with soaring minarets, the spa town of Velingrad, and several stations whose buildings seem absurdly grandiose for a modest branch line. Just when you think the show is over, the train plunges into the narrow Velingrad Gorge before emerging onto the Plain of Thrace.