St. Nicholas waterfall and the Nameless City

Start: Dobrinishte · foot of the Pirin

10 kmtotal

3 hourstotal

391 melevation gain

Moderate

The route

St. Nicholas waterfall and the Nameless City

A walk past the St. Nicholas waterfall to the Nameless City: a fortress with more than 3,500 years of history, on a hill between Bansko and Dobrinishte.

DobrinishteStart
St. Nicholas waterfallPicnic spot
Wooden gazeboOn foot from here
Nameless City20 min steep climb

Good to know

Practical

WhereIn the St. Nikola area, approx. 4 km from Bansko, towards Dobrinishte.

By carSigns after approx. 1.8 km outside Bansko. Two dirt roads go some way up.

Last stretchFrom a wooden gazebo approx. 20 minutes steeply up.

AccessFreely accessible, no opening hours or facilities.

Our tips

Sturdy shoes: the last stretch is steep.
Bring a picnic for the waterfall.

History

What is the Nameless City?

Inhabited for 3,500 years

People lived here from approx. 3000–2000 BC until the 17th century.

Walls and towers

Double defensive walls with watchtowers at the gates, and an open Thracian sanctuary.

Basilica

An early Christian basilica from the 4th–5th century. More than 200 coins were found.

Source: Lucky Bansko, The Nameless Town.

Our experience

What we thought

One of our favourite hikes close to home. The waterfall is a lovely place to sit for a while, and up at the Nameless City you feel 3,500 years of history. Bring a picnic.

— The Groen family, Dobrinishte

Along the way