ATV riding in Borovets: Rila mountains on quad or buggy

Drive the Rila slopes yourself and follow a guide who sets the pace

Private quad or buggy riding in Borovets, Bulgaria, where you operate the vehicle along a set mountain route while a guide controls speed and distance. The 1-hour activity includes a 5-minute briefing and helmet. Departures run every hour daily, year-round. When snow covers the trails, all riders are upgraded to snowmobiling at no extra cost. Minimum age is 8 (children must be accompanied by an adult). You need at least moderate fitness.

The experience

You arrive in Borovets with a free afternoon and want to move faster than a walk. The quad and buggy safaris depart on the hour every day, so there's no waiting around for a group to assemble. You get a helmet, a 5-minute briefing on how to handle the vehicle, and then you're behind the controls on a route through the Rila mountains. A guide leads the way, setting the speed and distance so the ride stays safe and matched to your skill. You follow their line and focus on the terrain ahead.

The route itself is the draw. You're not watching scenery from a bus seat. You're navigating the mountain slopes and switchbacks yourself, which is why the adrenaline sticks with you. The whole thing runs 1 hour from start to finish. If you book deposit-only, you pay part upfront and settle the rest when you arrive, which gives you flexibility if your schedule shifts. You can choose between a quad (four-wheeler) or a buggy depending on what you want to drive. Both follow the same route and the same guide protocol.

Winter changes the equation. When snow blankets the trails, the operator upgrades all riders to snowmobiles at no extra charge, so the activity doesn't shut down. It just shifts to a different machine. A live guide speaks English or Russian, so language isn't a barrier. Public transport runs nearby if you don't have a car, and the minimum age is 8 (with an adult required for children), so families can ride together.

What’s included

• Local guide who leads the route and controls pace.
• helmet for every rider.
• choice of quad or buggy vehicle.
• 5-minute briefing before the ride starts.

Options for this experience

3 options

Deposit onlyUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00A deposit secures the date and time; the remaining amount is paid on the spot, depending on whether you need single or double quads/buggies. Quads take a maximum of 2 people, buggies a maximum of 4.

One quad for one hourUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00Holds at most 2 people

1 hour BuggyUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Russian · 10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00Holds at most 4 people, adults and children alike

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences

Is this one for you?Choose quad if you want a four-wheeler's agility on tight mountain turns. Pick buggy if you prefer an open-frame feel. Either way, the guide sets the speed so you can focus on driving rather than managing risk, which suits riders who want the thrill without the solo navigation pressure.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can I ride a quad or buggy if I've never driven one before?

Yes. The 5-minute briefing covers how to operate the vehicle, and the guide controls the pace and distance so you're not managing speed on your own. You follow the guide's line through the route, which keeps the ride safe for first-timers.

What happens to the route when it snows?

All riders are upgraded to snowmobiling at no extra cost. The activity runs year-round in all seasons, so snow doesn't cancel it. It just changes which vehicle you drive.

Do I have to book a full hour, or can I ride for less time?

The activity is 1 hour, including the briefing. That's the standard duration. Shorter rides aren't offered.

Can I book just a deposit and pay the rest later?

Yes. The deposit-only option lets you block a specific time and date upfront, then pay the remaining balance when you arrive in Borovets.

What's the age requirement, and can my child ride with me?

The minimum age is 8 years old. Children must be accompanied by one adult, so you can ride together on the same route.