As the last hours of June fade, hundreds gather at Kamen Bryag to welcome July in an event part ritual, part celebration. The July Morning Festival unfolds at Bulgaria’s Black Sea cliff-edge village — a place where rugged coastlines thrust sharply against the morning sky. The festival’s heartbeat rises with the sun, and those who join the hike up from the village feel the land’s fierce, restless pull.

The adventure begins on roads carved through windswept rocks and forests that push their way toward the sea. The trail to the iconic cliffs measures about 4 kilometers with an elevation gain of roughly 200 meters, a firm but manageable climb for most hikers. The terrain shifts from gravel worn smooth by footsteps to hearty roots crisscrossing shaded woodland paths. Pine and oak stand as silent sentinels; the wind dares to shift the scent of salt and fresh earth with every gust.

As you ascend, the Black Sea sprawls to your right, its waves like untamed spirits flexing against weathered stones. The cliffs themselves dare you closer — jagged edges singing with the spray of crashing surf far below. Waiting at the summit is a spectacular stage for the festival’s trademark ritual: greeting the first light of July while the horizon blushes into color. Music pulses across the rocks, campfires flicker, and the crowd’s collective breath mingles with the morning breeze.

Preparation is key here. Hydration matters; bring at least 2 liters of water to stay ahead of the thirst the coastal breeze might mask. Footwear needs solid grip — hiking boots or trail runners with grip-friendly soles will handle slippery stones and loose gravel. Starting your hike before midnight or very early on July 1 ensures you catch the festival’s crescendo at dawn without feeling rushed.

This isn’t a hike to conquer but to engage with. The environment is fiercely itself — the sea’s constant murmur, the wind’s sharp reminders, and the stubborn wildflowers clinging to cracks in the stone. Respect the place and the gathering, traverse carefully, and experience an event that’s part connection, part challenge, and entirely compelling. For adventurers ready to meet the day’s first light, the July Morning Festival at Kamen Bryag offers an unforgettable entrance into Bulgaria’s wild coastal spirit.

Whether you come for the electric mix of music and nature, or the straightforward joy of a crisp seaside climb, this festival invites all to breathe in the awakening day and leave with memories shaped by early light and ancient stones.