The pleasant transitional continental climate with strong Mediterranean influence, centuries old spruce, pine and fir, clean environment, well-developed infrastructure, recreation and entertainment facilities turn Chepelareinto one attractive winter and summer mountain resort.
Because of these reasons, one of the main activities in the municipality is the development of tourism, mainly in the following aspects: winter skiing, summer hiking, eco-tourism (rural tourism) and cultural tourism. Apart from the suitable geographical and climatic conditions the tourism industry is affected by the historical heritage (there are traces of prehistoric, Thracian, Roman, Hellenistic and Bulgarian culture), unique folklore heritage and traditions of the population in the municipality.
There are lots of opportunities to practice different winter sports in the town of Chepelare and its surroundings. From the end of town to peak "Mechi Chal" (1873 meters) is situated, the longest in Bulgaria, ski slope certified by FIS with drag-lifts and two-person chairlifts.
Ski center "Mechi Chal" is located 1 km from the town of Chepelare, offers great possibilities for different types of skiing:
- Alpine Skiing - length 3250 m, width 50 m, 720 m displacement;
- Tourist - 5150 m long, 25 m wide, 720 m displacement;
- Cross-country skiing - 3000 meters, altitude 1860 m.
The ski slopes feature comfortable two seated chair-lifts and a length of 2471 meters, travel time - 17 minutes, capacity - 500 tourists per hour, two drag-lifts and a ski wardrobe. Ski equipment is available in some of the hotels of Chepelare.
The city of Chepelare has a biathlon track with a shooting range and a drag-lift for children, a sports ground with two tennis courts and a volleyball court, indoor hall for volleyball, table tennis, indoor swimming pool (Olympic size), sauna and hotel area.
The tourism development is being supervised by the local Tourism Council, created in 1997 and the Association of Private Hoteliers and Restaurateurs in Chepelare.
There are two hotels with a capacity of 200 beds, 11 family hotels and private lodgings in the categories of 1, 2 and 3 stars with a total capacity of 275 beds. The Pamporovo resort features a large number of 1, 2, 3 and 4-star hotels, as well as one 5-star hotel, holiday homes, one hunting and six tourist huts.
Tourist Company "STUDENETS" - Chepelare, founded in 1934. Manages and offers rest, relaxation, cruising holiday, green school tours, school and training camps, one time visitors and others.
In the area of Chepelare and Pamporovo also operate a number of chalets.
Chalet Rocky Bridges (Skalni Mostove) - first category. Located in the Western Rhodopes, near the natural phenomenon Rocky Bridges, 12 km from Zabardo, 17 km from the central road Plovdiv - Smolyan (after the village of Hvoyna, the right detour) at 1620 meters above sea level. The chalet has 86 beds in rooms with 2, 3, 4 or more beds. Most of the rooms have their own sanitary unit - bathroom, central heating. Open all year round. There is a restaurant with 80 seats and a bar.
Chalet Pashaliytsa - second category. Located 14 km, from Pavelsko, at an altitude of 750 m. The building has two floors, electricity and is water supplied. There is a bar, kitchen and dining room. There are rooms with 3, 4 or more beds - 65. It features a bathroom floor. Open all year round.
Chalet Sunrise (Izgrev) - second category. Located 12 km from Chepelare at 1800 m above sea level. It takes two and a half hours to get there by foot. There are good markings. The building has three floors with 80 beds in rooms with 3, 4, 5 or more beds. There is also a dormitory. Electricity and water are supplied, well-stocked bar, kitchen, dining room and living room. Heated by wood-burning stoves. Open all year round. The region has excellent conditions for cross country skiing and guidance.
Tourist home "Zagrad" in Zabardo. Located in the village center. The rooms have 2, 3 and 4 beds - a total of 42, with their own bathroom and toilet, bar-buffet with video and mechanical music, as well as a kitchen. It is open all year round.
Chalet Wonderful Bridges (Chudni Mostove) - second category. Located in the Western Rhodopes, next to the natural phenomenon Wonderful Bridges (Erkyupriya), 11 km from Zabardo, 1450 meters above sea level. Chalet Wonderful Bridges is a tourist complex of several buildings. The oldest of them is a small building of two floors with 10 beds, a kitchen and dining room. Next to it are the other two buildings with 20 beds each. During the summer, the capacity of the complex increases with tents. Heated by storage heaters and stoves. It has a shared bathroom. Open all year round.
Tourist home "Caveman" (Peshternyak) in Chepelare
Located near the city center, on "Shina Andreeva" 9a; 1140 meters above sea level.
A massive five-storey building with 90 seats in four apartments and rooms with 2and 3 beds with private bathrooms . The building is supplied with water and electricity and features central heating. It has a restaurant, tennis court, a shop for sport and tourism goods and a souvenir stand, lounge, meeting room, ski storage, the only museum of its kind in Bulgaria- "Rhodope karst."
