Home › Trails › ST427 Bankya - Sofia vs ST523 Shadeetsa - Ardino

ST427 Bankya - Sofia vs ST523 Shadeetsa - Ardino

A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.

ST427 Bankya - Sofia ST523 Shadeetsa - Ardino
Distance 18 km 24 km
Elevation gain 232 m 522 m
Typical duration — —
Difficulty Expert Easy
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network International International
Country Bulgaria Bulgaria
Best time to hike Best months: April, June, September Best months: June, August, September, October
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

ST427 Bankya - Sofia vs ST523 Shadeetsa - Ardino: which should you hike?

At 24 km, ST523 Shadeetsa - Ardino is the longer route — roughly 6 km more than ST427 Bankya - Sofia (18 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, ST427 Bankya - Sofia is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.