The town of Cehpelare lies in the heart of the Rhodopi mountain and is Bulgaria’s only town situated so high above the sea level. The town has gradually grown from a cattle-breeding and wood-processing centre into a popular ski resort, offering a budget alternative to the nearby high-class resort of Pamporovo, lying some 10km away from Chepelare.
The town of Chepelare is mostly valued by middle-class skiers who prefer to stay at one of its many family hotels or winter villas at much lower prices as compared to those prevailing in Pamporovo. Chepelare’s closest ski lift has its first station at some 1.5km away from the town, near the main road between Chepelare and Smolyan. The two-chair lift is 2471m long and takes skiers and tourists up to the Chala peak (1873m high) for 17min. The ski runs that start there are of total length of 8,400m. Alternatively, skiers can easily take the 10km distance to Pamporovo and enjoy the high-quality skiing facilities there.
For those not fond of skiing or during summer months, the town offers numerous tourist routes in the Rhodopi mountain. It also hosts Bulgaria’s sole museum of speleology and carsts, recognised for its uniqueness all over the European continent. Some 15km away to the south east of the town, one can also visit the Rozhen observatory and enjoy remarkable sights through powerful telescopes in exchange of a modest entrance fee.
