ST713 Asenovgrad - Cherven

The ST713 Asenovgrad – Cherven is a short, roughly 16 km point-to-point stage of the Sultans Trail in Bulgaria's Plovdiv Province, climbing about 350 m of elevation through the northern Rhodope foothills. Rated easy and walkable in a single day, it links the fortress town of Asenovgrad with the village of Cherven along the historic Vienna-to-Istanbul cultural route.

About the ST713 Asenovgrad - Cherven

The ST713 Asenovgrad – Cherven is a single stage of the Sultans Trail, a 2,500 km long-distance cultural route that runs from St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna to the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul. The full trail crosses eight countries — Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey — and partly follows the E8 European long-distance path. This particular section sits in Bulgaria's Plovdiv Province, threading through the lower slopes of the Rhodope Mountains south of the city of Plovdiv.

The route is far more than a footpath. It commemorates the 1529 campaign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, who marched his Ottoman army from Istanbul toward Vienna in a 141-day journey, only to be turned back at the gates of the city — his first military defeat. The modern trail, developed by volunteers from the Netherlands-based NGO Sultans Trail – A European Cultural Route, was deliberately reframed as a path of peace and a meeting place for people of all faiths rather than a route of conquest.

As a point-to-point stage, ST713 begins in Asenovgrad, a town of around 50,000 people known as the "town of weddings" for its bridal-wear industry and crowned by a medieval fortress, and ends in the small village of Cherven tucked into the Rhodope foothills. At roughly 16 km with modest climbing, it is one of the gentler Bulgarian segments — a manageable day for hikers of all abilities and a strong introduction to the cultural and natural texture of the wider Sultans Trail.

What makes this stage distinctive is the way it compresses so much into a short walk. Within a few hours you pass from a working Bulgarian town, up past a cliff-top Byzantine church, across open vineyard country planted with the region's prized Mavrud grape, and into shaded foothill forest before reaching a sleepy mountain village. The Sultans Trail's emphasis on cross-cultural heritage is tangible here, where Orthodox monasteries, Ottoman-era remnants and Thracian roots sit side by side in the same landscape. Because the wider trail is maintained largely by volunteers rather than a national park authority, walkers should treat published distances and waymarks as guidance and rely on the official GPX track for navigation.

Route Overview & Stages

The ST713 is officially a single day stage, but it breaks naturally into a handful of segments. Distances below are approximate, as the Sultans Trail Foundation publishes the route as a continuous GPX track rather than fixed sub-stage figures. Always carry the official track and a backup map.

Total figures land at roughly 16 km and about 350 m of ascent, with a comparable amount of descent. Most fit walkers complete the stage in 4 to 5 hours including stops. Because the route is largely on tracks and quiet lanes rather than technical mountain terrain, it pairs well with a relaxed start and a long lunch.

If you are walking the Sultans Trail as a through-hike, ST713 typically arrives after the longer approaches across the Thracian plain around Plovdiv and acts as a transition into the more rugged Rhodope and Rila sections further south. Treating it as a half-day allows time to explore Asenovgrad's old quarters in the morning before setting out, or to detour the extra few kilometres to Bachkovo Monastery, which many hikers rate as the single most memorable cultural stop on the entire Bulgarian portion of the route.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Asen's Fortress (Asenova krepost) — A dramatically sited 13th-century stronghold above the Asenitsa river gorge, dominated by the still-standing Church of the Holy Mother of God. It is the signature landmark of Asenovgrad.
• Bachkovo Monastery — About 10 km south of Asenovgrad, this is one of the oldest and largest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Europe, founded in 1083. A worthwhile detour rich in frescoes and a famous miraculous icon.
• Asenitsa river gorge — The limestone defile carving down from the Rhodopes, framing the fortress and offering cool shade at the start of the stage.
• Rhodope vineyard ridge — The Asenovgrad area is one of Bulgaria's notable wine zones, particularly for Mavrud, an indigenous red grape. The ridge delivers wide views over the Plovdiv plain.
• Asenovgrad old town — Narrow streets, the Paleokastra district, and a cluster of historic churches reflecting the town's deep Orthodox heritage.
• Oak and hornbeam woodland — Mid-route forest tracks that fill with wildflowers in late spring and provide welcome cover on warmer days.
• Cherven village — The quiet endpoint, with traditional Rhodope stone-and-timber houses and a small parish church.
• Panoramic plateau viewpoints — Several open shoulders along the ridge frame the snow-capped Balkan Mountains far to the north on clear days.

Best Time to Hike the ST713 Asenovgrad - Cherven

The Rhodope foothills enjoy a long, comfortable hiking season because this stage stays at low elevation and avoids the high mountain sections that close in winter. The prime windows are late April through June and September through mid-October.

Spring brings green hillsides, flowing streams in the Asenitsa gorge and carpets of wildflowers through the oak woodland, with daytime temperatures of roughly 18–25°C. Autumn offers stable, dry weather, golden foliage and the regional grape harvest, when Asenovgrad's Mavrud vineyards are at their most atmospheric. Summer (July–August) is walkable but hot, often exceeding 32°C on the exposed ridge, so an early start and ample water are essential.

The single best month is May: temperatures are mild, the landscape is at peak green, water sources run reliably, and the longer daylight gives a relaxed margin for sightseeing at Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. For 2026, plan around the Bulgarian Orthodox Easter period and the May 6 St. George's Day holiday, when guesthouses near Asenovgrad fill quickly with domestic visitors — book ahead if your dates fall in that stretch. Winter hiking is possible but expect cold, damp conditions and occasional frost on the higher tracks.

If you plan to string several Sultans Trail stages together across the Balkans, the shoulder seasons also help you avoid the heat further south — the same logic that makes spring and autumn ideal for routes like the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Asenovgrad is the natural base for this stage and offers the widest choice. Family-run guesthouses and small hotels typically cost €25–45 per night for a double room, often including breakfast. Budget pensions can be found from around €20, while mid-range hotels in town run €45–70.

For a more atmospheric stay, Bachkovo Monastery rents simple pilgrim rooms for a modest donation of roughly €10–20, though facilities are basic. Cherven itself is a small village with limited beds, so most hikers either return to Asenovgrad by local transport or pre-arrange a private room. Wild camping is tolerated in the foothills with discretion, and a tent is genuinely useful on remoter Bulgarian segments of the wider trail; carry a lightweight setup and leave no trace.

Getting There & Back

The nearest airport is Plovdiv Airport (PDV), around 30 km away, though it has limited flights. Most international hikers fly into Sofia Airport (SOF), roughly 150 km west, then continue by road or rail. From Plovdiv — Bulgaria's second city and a major rail hub — frequent buses reach Asenovgrad in about 30–40 minutes, and there is also a local train line. Plovdiv to Sofia takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by train or bus.

From Cherven at the end of the stage, the simplest option is a local bus or pre-booked taxi back to Asenovgrad, from where Plovdiv connections run throughout the day. Confirm current timetables with Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) before travelling, as rural services can be sparse.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the ST713 Asenovgrad – Cherven, and there is no trail fee. Asen's Fortress charges a small entrance fee of a few euros, and visits to Bachkovo Monastery are free though donations are welcomed. The Sultans Trail itself is free to hike; the official route, maps and GPX tracks are published by the Sultans Trail Foundation. As of 2026 there are no booking systems or quotas on this section, so you can simply turn up and walk.

Gear & Packing List

This is an easy, low-altitude day stage, so you can keep your kit light. A 30–50 litre pack is ample for a day walk or a short multi-stage trip; the streamlined Abisko Hike 35 suits day use, while the 2400 Windrider or larger 3400 Windrider work well if you are carrying camping gear across several Bulgarian segments.

Essentials include sturdy trail shoes or light boots, sun protection and a hat for the exposed vineyard ridge, at least 2 litres of water capacity, and a layer for cool mornings in spring and autumn. Carry the official GPX on a phone or GPS plus a paper backup, since waymarking can be patchy in rural Bulgaria. Pack enough food for the day — village shops are small and may be closed — and plan your calories sensibly; our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you get the quantities right. If you are choosing a new pack for a longer Sultans Trail attempt, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested options.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the cultural-route character and Rhodope scenery of the ST713 appeal to you, Bulgaria has two outstanding long-distance paths that share the same terrain and waymarking traditions. Both can be sampled in single-day stages or strung together for a multi-week traverse, and each overlaps in places with the European network the Sultans Trail follows.

• &Evropéiski pesehoden marshrut E4, Bulgaria — the Bulgarian section of the continental E4, crossing the Rila and Pirin ranges.
• European long distance path E8 - part Bulgaria — the path the Sultans Trail itself partly follows through the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the ST713 Asenovgrad – Cherven?
May is the single best month, with mild temperatures around 18–25°C, green hillsides and reliable water. The broader sweet spots are late April through June and September through mid-October. Summer is walkable but hot on the exposed ridge, often above 32°C, so start early and carry plenty of water.

How difficult is the trail?
It is rated easy. The stage covers roughly 16 km with only about 350 m of ascent, mostly on tracks, quiet lanes and gentle forest paths rather than technical mountain terrain. It suits walkers of all abilities and beginners with basic fitness. The main considerations are heat in summer and patchy waymarking, so carry the official GPX track.

How long does the stage take and how far is it per day?
The ST713 is designed as a single day stage of around 16 km, which most hikers complete in 4 to 5 hours including stops. There is no need to split it. Building in time for Asen's Fortress and a detour to Bachkovo Monastery, however, can easily turn it into a full and rewarding day out.

Where can I stay along the route?
Asenovgrad is the main base, with guesthouses and small hotels at roughly €25–45 per night, often including breakfast. Bachkovo Monastery offers simple pilgrim rooms for a small donation. Cherven has very limited beds, so most walkers return to Asenovgrad by local bus or taxi. Discreet wild camping is tolerated in the foothills.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No. The ST713 Asenovgrad – Cherven requires no permit and there is no trail fee, and as of 2026 there are no quotas or booking systems on this section. Asen's Fortress charges a small entrance fee of a few euros. Visiting Bachkovo Monastery is free, though donations are appreciated. The official route and GPX are published free by the Sultans Trail Foundation.