WALKING & WILDLIFE IN BULGARIA
THE "CENTRAL BALKAN" NATIONAL PARK
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer by private minibus from the Bulgarian capital Sofia to the region of Kalofer at the southern foot of the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina) where we will be based for the next three nights in a pleasant family-run hotel..
Day 2: Today we begin our exploration of the “Central Balkan” National Park by exploring the periphery of the “Dzhendema” Biosphere Reserve, including the “Byala Reka” Eco-Trail along the beautiful valley of the Byala Reka. The “Dzhendema” Biosphere Reserve is the largest reserve in the “Central Balkan” National Park, and the second largest reserve in Bulgaria. It is located directly beneath Mount Botev (2376m), the range’s highest peak, and is dominated by amazing rock walls and a 125m high waterfall, the highest in Bulgaria. The inaccessible cliffs and rock outcrops which have given the “Dzhendema” Reserve its Turkish name “Hell”, are a refuge for Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The reserve also has beech and fir forests which are home to Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Wolf (Canis lupus) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), and large meadows with unique sub-alpine communities rich in rare and endemic plant species including: Haberlea rhodopensis, Primula frondosa, Anemone narcissiflora, Trollius europaeus, Lilium jankae and Viola balcanica. During the day we will also visit the picturesque Kalofer Monastery.
Day 3: Today our explorations are focused on the region around Mount Ambaritsa. After a short transfer to Sopot and then a wonderful chairlift ride that takes us up high into the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina), we make our way on foot to the “Dobrila” Hut and from there begin our exploration of the “Stara Reka” Reserve. The “Stara Reka” Reserve is amongst the richest in rare plant species in Bulgaria, including 20 Bulgarian endemics such as: Centaurea kernerana, Campanula trojanensis, Stachys bulgarica and Primula frondosa. The reserve shelters large carnivores such as Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Wolf (Canis lupus), as well as Pine Martin (Martes martes) and Wild Cat (Felis silvestris). There are also birds of prey such as: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Goshwak (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus).
Day 4: Having again used the chairlift from Sopot to gain access to the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina), we this time set off to explore the southern fringes of the “Steneto” Biosphere Reserve. The “Steneto” Biosphere Reserve is the second largest reserve in the national park and encompasses the catchment region of the Cherni Osum. It was specifically created to preserve the outstanding biodiversity of the breathtaking Steneto Gorge. This is a refuge for many rare and interesting birds such as: Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca), Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Tengmaum’s Owl (Aegolius funereus), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), and most European woodpecker species. The ancient beech and spruce forests shelter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), whilst the rock outcrops have Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), and the rivers hold Otter (Lutra lutra). The “Steneto” Reserve also has an extremely rich flora, with over 1000 species recorded, including: Haberlea rhodopensis, Juniperus sabina and Daphne blagayana. Later in the day, having descended again to Sopot with the chairlift, we then transfer across the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina) via the Troyan Pass to the picturesque village of Skandaloto, nestled into the northern folds of the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina) along the Vidima valley. Here we stay in a charming family-run hotel, the building a large and beautifully restored 19th century village house. Not only does the hotel offer a wonderful old-world atmosphere with its traditional vernacular architecture, but it also offers delicious traditional home-cooked cuisine for breakfasts and dinners.
Day 5: Today’s walk sees us exploring the eastern fringes of the “Severen Dzhendem” Reserve whose inaccessible cliffs and awe-inspiring precipices have given the region its name, the “Northern Hell”. In particular we will be walking in and around the valley of the Pruskalska Reka, at the head of which is the famous waterfall Vidimsko Pruskalo, one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. Almost two-thirds of the “Severen Dzhendem” Reserve is covered in ancient forests of beech and silver fir where Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Wolf (Canis lupus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) all still roam. The rock outcrops themselves provide a refuge for Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Peregrine (Falco peregrinus), and Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria).
Day 6: Today we continue our explorations of the “Severen Dzhendem” Reserve, this time focusing on the north-western fringes of the reserve. During the day we will walk the beautiful “Vodni Dupki” Eco-trail which offers wonderful views towards the dramatic cliffs on the northern flank of Mount Botev (2367m), the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). As well as having an interesting fauna, the reserve also has a very rich flora, which includes species such as: Primula frondosa, Daphne cneorum, Trollius europaeus, as well as many unusual species of Alchemilla such as: Alchemilla anisiaca, Alchemilla plicatula, Alchemilla bulgarica, Alchemilla erythropoda, Alchemilla achtarovii, Alchemilla indivisa and Alchemilla pyrenaica. The region is also one of only two sites in Bulgaria for Rhododendron myrtifolium.
Day 7: After a short transfer to the Troyan Pass, we set off west along the main ridgeback of the Central Balkan Mountains (Central Stara Planina) towards Mount Kozya Stena (1670m), before descending steeply through the “Kozya Stena” Reserve into the valley of the Beli Osum. There we will be picked up by our bus and driven back to Skandaloto. The “Kozya Stena” Reserve is a botanist’s paradise and the region with the highest concentration of rare and protected species including: Leontopodium alpinum ssp. slavicum, Alchemilla bulgarica, Alchemilla erythropoda, Alchemilla gracillima, Orchis globosa, Minuartia saxifraga, Saxifraga marginata, Primula frondosa, Cortusa matthioli, Dryas octopetala, Trollius europaeus, Daphne cneorum, Daphne blagayana, Asperula capitata, Stachys bulgarica and Gentiana lutea. The fauna of the “Kozya Stena” Reserve is also very rich and includes mammals such as: Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), as well as numerous species of birds including: Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), and Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius).
Day 8: Saying goodbye to Skandaloto and to the “Central Balkan” National Park, we transfer back to the Bulgarian capital Sofia for the end of our walking and wildlife holiday in the "Central Balkan" National Park.