Kamenica is a name you will find scattered across the Balkans map — from mountain peaks in Bulgaria's Pirin range to quiet villages in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Far from being just one place, it represents dozens of destinations, each with its own personality and charm.

For hikers and mountain lovers, the most exciting Kamenica is the summit in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria, located in Blagoevgrad Province in the southern part of this dramatic range. Pirin is one of the wildest and most scenic mountain ranges in the Balkans, famous for its rocky ridges, glacial lakes and sweeping panoramas. In summer the alpine meadows burst with wildflowers, autumn brings fiery colours to the beech forests and dwarf pines, while winter transforms the landscape into a paradise for ski touring.

The many villages called Kamenica — spread across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia — are peaceful, often lush retreats, perfect as bases for exploring local trails or simply slowing down and soaking up rural Balkan life.

• Kamenica peak in Pirin — start from the Bansko or Gotse Delchev area; trails in southern Pirin are well marked, difficulty ranging from moderate to demanding.
• Villages named Kamenica in Bosnia and Serbia — best reached by car from nearby towns such as Sarajevo, Ilijaš, Maglaj or Kraljevo.

The name 'Kamenica' comes from the South Slavic word for stone or rock — a fitting description for so many of these places, surrounded by rocky hillsides and stony mountain streams.