Imagine a place where the air is crystal clear, the silence is broken only by the rhythmic clatter of wheels, and the horizon is drawn by the majestic silhouettes of two of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains. This is not a scene from a movie, but a reality that awaits you on Avramovo station – one of the most iconic and romantic stops in Bulgaria.
Located on 1267 meters above sea level, Avramovo station гордо носи титлата „Най-високата железопътна гара на Балканския полуостров“. Но височината не е единственото, което я прави специална. Тя е символ на инженерния гений, пазител на историята и врата към сърцето на планината, лесно достъпна за гостите на Bansko and the region.
The Road to Avramovo Station: The Magic of the Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway
To Avramovo station It's not a quick trip, and that's the whole charm. The station is the crown jewel of the only operating narrow-gauge railway line in Bulgaria: Septemvri - Dobrinishte.
The journey on the little train, affectionately called by the locals „The Little Train“, „The Narrow Gauge“ or „The Alpine Railway of the Balkans“, is an experience in itself. With its slow speed (average speed around 40 km/h), the train seems to deliberately give you time to soak up every view on the way to Avramovo station.
To overcome the huge difference in altitude on its way to the top, the line winds through picturesque gorges, passes through dozens of tunnels and bridges. The engineering marvel of the route is the so-called "eights" and "sixes" - spiral tracks through which the train gains height within a small area, literally passing under or over itself. As the train crawls up to Avramovo station, in front of the window, views of dense forests, deep valleys and picturesque villages change, as if frozen in time. the weather.
On the border of worlds: Avramova Saddle
When the train finally stops at Avramovo station, the first thing you will feel is the change in the air – cooler, fresher, saturated with the scent of pine.
The station is located on the Avramova saddle of the same name. This is a geographical point of great importance - it is the natural border that separates (or connects) the two majestic mountains of Rila and the Rhodopes. Here is also the watershed between the basins of the Maritsa and Mesta rivers.
Apart from geographical, Avramovo is also a historical border. Until the Balkan War in 1912, this is where the border between the Principality of Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire passed. Today, standing on the platform of Avramovo station, you are stepping on history, on a place that once divided worlds, and today unites them.
What to do at Avramovo station?
Avramovo Train Station It is not a bustling tourist center with luxury hotels, and that is precisely its strength. It is a place to escape the city noise and merge with nature.
- Photo for remembrance: A must-see stop is the iconic sign at the station, indicating the record altitude of 1267 m. This is the "trophy" from your railway adventure to the highest station.
- Picnic in nature: Around the building of Avramovo station There are extensive meadows, perfect for picnics in the warmer months. The views in all directions are stunning.
- Walk around the village: The village of Avramovo itself is small and picturesque, with houses scattered along the slopes. A walk to it is a pleasant way to get some exercise after the train journey.
- Tourist routes: For the more active mountaineers, Avramovo is a starting point for hikes to both the peaks of Rila and the green ridges of the Rhodope Mountains.
Useful information for the visit
- How to get there: The only authentic way to experience the full experience is by train. You can board from the starting station Septemvri (well connected with trains from Sofia and Plovdiv) or from intermediate stations such as Velingrad, Yakoruda, Razlog or Bansko (in the opposite direction).
- Tickets: Tickets for the narrow gauge train are extremely affordable. They can be purchased online from the official BDZ website or at the station counters before the trip.
- When to visit: Avramovo Train Station is accessible all year round. Summer offers coolness and greenery, autumn is a feast of colors, and winter turns the journey into a real snowy fairy tale (the train moves even in deep snow). snow).
- Clothing: Even in summer, don't forget outerwear - you are still almost 1300 meters above sea level and the weather in the mountains is changeable.
Conclusion
Avramovo Train Station is more than just a stop along the way. It is proof that sometimes the slow journey is the most fulfilling. A visit there is a return to simpler times, a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to touch the “peak” of the Balkan Railways. Hop on the narrow gauge train and treat yourself to this unforgettable journey to the highest station.
English (UK)