NATURAL PARK „VRACHANSKI BALKAN“ THE GORGE “VRATSATA” “BOROV KAMAK” WATERFALL “LAKATNIK ROCKS” PROTECTED AREA “ST . IVAN RILSKI PUSTI KASINETS” MONASTERY
Natural park „Vrachanski Balkan“ was designated as protected terri- e gorge Vratsata surrounds the gorge of the Leva River and Borov Kamak is located southwest to the ey are located on the le bank of the Iskar River, between the http://ope.moew.government.bg/bg tory in the end of 1989, represents a village of Zgorigrad and has a height of 63 rivers Opletnenska and Proboinit-
e rst evidence for the holy temple is from 1544. e mon- 2007–2013. and since March 1997 it rarely beautiful meters. One of the most attractive and popu- sa. e 250th m high rocks are
lar ecopaths in the country – the Vratsa eco- astery included a gold- Operational Programme Environment, Environment, Programme Operational was designated as pro- and impressive the “cradle” of Bulgarian alpin-
path – leads to the waterfall. e trail follows smith‘s workshop, and in state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria under under Bulgaria of Republic the of budget state tected site with interna- cli . It is a sym- ism and o er multiple modernly
the canyon of the Leva River, with wooden equipped routes with varying de- 1822 the rst Bulgarian financed from the European Regional Development Fund and the the and Fund Development Regional European the from financed tional importance. e bol of Vratsa
and associated bridges, many stairs and railings built on grees of di culty. Here you can prints making workshop contract N DIR-5113326-C-005, DIR-5113326-C-005, N contract Natural Park Vrachanski Balkan Vrachanski Park Natural park territory comprises
” an area of 28 803.9 hect- with the name both sides of the river. Besides the majestic also see the entrance of the cave was set up. ere is evi-
“Implementation of activities for planning and management of the the of management and planning for activities of “Implementation ares, including the Vra- of the town. waterfall, the area is also famous for its an- Temnata Dupka (the Dark Hole – dence of the existence of This document has been created within the project project the within created been has document This chanska mountain and e vertical cient oak trees. more then 9000 m long), the karst a cra workshop for sa- the Lakatnishki skali walls of Vrat- How to get there: the beginning of the spring “Zhitolujb”, the shelter Ea- cred vessels and church (Lakatnik rocks) massif. sata, rising over trail – by car or by foot, 4 km from town of gle’s Nest and the monument “Septemvrijtsi”. ornaments of the famous It is the second larg- 400 meters, are Vratsa, at the end of the village Zgorigrad. How to get there: On the road from Vratsa to So a through the Iskar Chiprov School. ree est natural park in Bul- the highest on Gorge (60km). picturesque layers of mu- garia. Large areas of the Balkan Pen- “SKAKLYA” WATERFALL rals are preserved in the the park are occupied insula for this OKOLCHITSA MONUMENT monastery church. According to recent studies the rst layer dates by surface karst forms altitude and the Skaklya is the highest intermittently owing waterfall in Balkan back to XIth century, and remarkable about these old paintings is like hollows, pools and most popular climbing site in Bulgaria. Penincula 141 meters. It is located 1.5 km. south of Vratsa, behind the e monument is an eight-edge Orthodox cross, erected on the that the location of the saints does not follow orthodox principles. caverns, whose margins Remains of the medieval fortress Vratitsa (X–XII century) are pre- hill Kaleto. e region also contains occasion of the 50th anniversary of Botev‘s detachment heroic deed. Each Near the monastery there is a crown of rocks, in whose grounds are surrounded by huge served in the gorge. remains of the medieval Bulgarian year traditional celebration festivities gushes a karst spring, and on its western wall there are remains of beech forests. Within e road to the Ledenika cave, Parshevitsa hut and the village of settlement Patleina. Beautiful in all are held on the 2nd of June in the mural paintings. the park are found some Zgorigrad runs through the gorge. seasons, from the top of the water- foot of Okolchitsa mount. Two km How to get there: 12 km from Vratsa towards the town of Montana, of the most fascinating How to get there: by car or by foot, 1 km from town of Vratsa, direc- fall there are stunning views over the away, in Yolkovitsa locality, Hristo along a marked road fork with brown information board. e road caves and chasms, whose total number exceeds 600. tion village Zgorigrad, along the Leva river bed. town of Vratsa and the Vratsa eld. Botev‘s place of execution is found. reaches up to the monastery gates In Natural Park “Vrachanski Balkan” are preserved more than 1,000 e waterfall is intersection of several Stamp 17 of the 100 national tourist hiking trails. species of higher plants. Unique and protected plants within the area are: ENTERTAINMENT PARK “LEDENIKA” sites (it is stamped in the museum DIADO YOTSO GLEDA COMPLEX Campanula jordanovii, Centranthus kellererii, Chamaecytisus kovacevii, How to get there: by car or on foot, to house “Baba Iliutsa” in the village the area above the hospital in the town of Juniperus sabina, Lilium jankae, Slene velcevii and Traunsteneira globosa. AND “LEDENIKA” CAVE of Chelopek or in the Regional e memorial, dedicated to Ivan Vratsa, therefrom with 1 hour climb you Fauna is represented by 1,507 species of animals, including 276 ver- Historical Museum Vratsa). Vazov’s literary character Diado will reach the foot of the waterfall. e the- tebrate species and 1,231 species of invertebrates. “Vrachanski Balkan” Ledenika cave is How to get there: 22 km from Vratsa, taking the road to Pavolche Yotso, is located at the end of the matic trail Vratsa – Skaklya waterfall – Voyvodin dol passes there. is an important nesting place for 120 bird species including: black stork, one of the most visited village. village of Ochin Dol, on a cli , long-legged buzzard, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, common rock caves in Bulgaria. It is overhanging the Iskar River and thrush, green woodpecker and others. Over 170 species are objects of opened for visitors all “RITLITE” PROTECTED AREA “CHEREPISH” MONASTERY the railroad, mentioned in Vazov’s European conservation, and 157 species are protected under the Biodi- year round. The cave is e nature sight is located on the le bank of the Iskar River, opposite short story. e monument is 5m versity Act. 320 m at length and has the village of Lyuti Brod. Four parallel to each other walls rise perpendicu- e Cherepish Monastery “Uspenie Bogorodichno” dates back to tall, made of white local limestone.
Nature Park “Vrachanski Balkan“ is one of the most important areas 10 halls. The entertain- lar to the river and reach the height of the Second Bulgarian Empire. During the period of Bulgarian National Every year the area around the
+359 910 91 33 33, +359 884 405 718 405 884 +359 33, 33 91 910 +359
Mezdra Railway Station: Station: Railway Mezdra for butter ies in Bulgaria. Here one can nd Mountain Apollo (Par- ment park “Ledenika” 200 meters in western direction. Locals Revival it served as educational monument is a venue of the “Where
+359 92 62 44 15; +359 884 405 742 405 884 +359 15; 44 62 92 +359
Vratsa Railway Station: Station: Railway Vratsa nassius apollo), European Peacock (Inachis io), Old World Swallowtail is located immediately have appropriately likened them to cart center. A church school was found Bulgarian Is” national folk fair.
+359 92 62 25 58 25 62 92 +359
Vratsa Bus Station: Station: Bus Vratsa (Papilio machaon), etc. next to the cave and in- rails. In places west of the river, along the and numerous books, biographies Nearby there is a round thematic
cludes a visitor’s center and gospels were written and 146, 02 91146, +359 2 980 3308 980 2 +359 91146, 02 146,
Road assistance: assistance: Road e territory of Nature park “Vrachanski Balkan” is part of the Na- peaks of the massive stone walls, remains trail: „Gorski svyat“ (Forest world),
with exhibitions and a copied. Relics such as the Cherepish +359 92/ 62 92 11 92 62 92/ +359 Water – Vratsa: Vratsa: – Water tional ecological network “Natura–2000”. of old forti cations are visible. An ancient and next to the village of Ochin dol
e following protected territories are located within its boundar- 5D-movie, a rope garden, a climbing wall, an amphitheatre and Gospel, bound in 1512 with gold Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Environment of Inspectorate Regional medieval village called Korintgrad and a a large early Christian temple was
ies: “Vrachanski Karst” reserve; 5 natural landmarks: “Temnata dupka”, topical fairy tail park. The visitors center offers walks along eco covers and decorated with biblical discovered dating V–VI century. +359 888 220 087 220 888 +359 Federation on Speleology: Speleology: on Federation monastery complex had been situated to
“Ledenika”, “Vratzata”, “Ritlite”, “Novata peshtera” and 5 protected ares: trails, sport games and competitions for all age visitors, artistic scenes, also date back to that Tourists can visit also an exhibition Rescue center within the Bulgarian Bulgarian the within center Rescue the north of the walls.
“Padinite”, “Vola”, “Vezhdata”, “Borov kamak”, “Lakatnik rocks”. events related to the natural resources of “Vrachanski Balkan” Na- period. In the monastery complex of wooden gures of a local wood +359 888 478 838 478 888 +359 Mountain Rescue Service: Service: Rescue Mountain Nearby are located: the historical
e management of the protected area is carried out by the ture Park, quizzes, carnivals, photo-pleners on a specific theme, you can visit the museum of the famous Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov, carver in the village. 112 EU single emergency telephone number: number: telephone emergency single EU site Rashov dol where in 1876 ten revolutionaries from Botev‘s detach- Administration of “Vrachanski Balkan” Nature Park, established in and many others. Stamp 16 of the 100 National tourist sites. ments were killed, and the trail “Belite skali” (White rocks). the Chapel–house, Rushidova house and the church Saint George. How to get there: On the road
1996 within the Forestry Agency (Ministry of Agriculture and food). How to get there: by car, on an asphalt road 16 km from the town of How to get there: On the road from Vratsa to So a through the Iskar from Vratsa to So a through the Iskar Important telephone numbers: telephone Important How to get there: On the road from Vratsa to So a through the Iskar Vratsa, passing through Vratzata gorge and taking right turn. Gorge (27km). Gorge (30km). Gorge (50km).
Outside the territory of the park are located the following sites which are of great tourist interest: TOURIST TRAILS IN NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN” TOURIST TRAILS IN NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN” ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX "KALETO", TOURIST TRAILS (they are marked with tourist colour signs. ey are suitable for experienced tourists) town of Mezdra steeply to Rashov Dol locality. A broad pathway leads to the road Located on a high rocky 10. ZVERINO VILLAGE PEAK YAVORETS 1. VRATSA ECO TRAIL rest point. A cart track takes you from here, climbing lightly up to the from the village of Lutibrod to Vratsa, crosses the railroad and past PEAK OKOLCHITSA 4 hours hill above the Iskar river. e south-east to a fork in the road: a path leads to Parshevitsa Hut to the Ritlite rock formation climbs down to the village of Lutibrod. It is fortress remnants are to be “BOROV KAMAK” – 3 hours the west-southwest and you have to keep the way onwards that climbs Botev Memorial Complex that maintains the trail. Red marking. e trail starts at village Zverino. Following the val- found on the last level, pre- up to Tsarevo Livage locality and through Izbata and Kleno localities served and exhibited to the Red marking. e trail starts at the end of Zgorigrad village and fol- ley of Kamenitsa river you will reach the Gradishka hill. It continues lows the Canyon of Leva River. A climbing system of bridges and stairs leads to the road to the monument on Mount Okolchitsa within ten- 7. PARSHEVITSA HUT BOROV KAMAK LOCALITY through wide meadows of Kosharen locality and a er one hour and visitors. e exhibition hall minute walking distance. shows unique objects and on the both slopes of river gets to the “Borov Kamak” Falls , which TSAREVO LIVAGE LOCALITY MOUNT OKOLCHITSA a half reachs the south slopes of Stagata peak. e trail goes under soars some 63 meters. e trail passes under the waterfall and goes up remains from various his- 4,5 hours the peak Yavorets and continues down to meadow “Buchiva poliana”. torical periods of the fortress by wooden stair on the right side. Above the waterfall you will nd 4. VRATSA MEDKOVETS QUARTER JENSKATA From here the trail , goes northwest through the hill Prepaskata and beautiful green meadows with s shelter and barbeque area. From here existence. Stamp 16а of the LOCALITY MOUNT OKOLCHITSA 3 hours Red marking, in open places – iron columns. Walking from the hut goes down to Yolkovitsa hollow and reaches the monument of Okol- 100 national tourist sites. you have the following possibilities: 1. to continue to Parshevitsa hut, chista peak. following a marked trail – 1 hour; 2 to go back to village of Zgorigrad, to the north takes you to the road to the old mine. A er a 10-minute How to get there: 16 km from the town of Vratsa towards So a, at Blue marking. From the centre of Medkovets quarter you have to reach walk on the road, reaching the Red Turn, the trail starts climbing down the entrance of the town of Mezdra. following a marked trail – 2 hours; to continue to Okolchitsa peak, fol- the highest part on the outskirts of the quarter, and then turn to the le and lowing a marked trail – 4 hours. through beech woods to a vast clearing over Borov Kamak Waterfall. cross the stream in Medkovski Dol. Here a stony cart track begins, turning en it continues to the east-northeast through old beech woods, cross- OSENOVLASHKI MONASTERY and twisting and shortcutting the turns in the road, leading to the ravine in es Lokvite locality, vast pastures on the ridge in Zebrets locality and past 2. VRATSA LOCUMCHETO LOCALITY ZAMBINA the foothills of Mount Sveta Gora. e track enters a wood and past several a pen leads to a cart track. e track takes you through Tsarevo Livage, “SVETA BOGORODITSA” HOLY VIRGIN MOGILA LOCALITY PARSHEVITSA HUT 4 hours pens leads to a karst spring. e path now runs through pine woods and Izbata and Kleno localities to the monument near Mount Okolchitsa. crossing a vast clearing with young pine plantation leads to a cart track in e monastery dates back to the Second Bulgarian kingdom. e Yellow marking. e trail starts at Natura Enviromental and Informa- Tsarevo Livage locality. Walking through Izbata and Kleno localities, you’d 8. OCHIN DOL VILLAGE PARSHEVITSA HUT 4 hours monastery church is unique for its design of seven separate altars – some- reach the monument near Mount Okolchitsa. thing that has no equiva- tion Centre, following the road to the village of Zgorigrad and turning to lent in any other Bulgarian the right a er Vratsata Gorge takes the road to Ledenika Cave. A er the Yellow marking.. A steep pathway leads from the village square up temple. Each altar in fact is a rst sharp turn in the road it turns to the le on a beaten cart track. en 5. BOTEV’S ROUTE: VRATSA IOLKOVITSA LOCALITY to Presvetitsa locality to the north end of the village, where vestiges of an separate chapel with its own a mountain path takes you to the main road again to turn to the le at the MOUNT OKOLCHITSA 3 hours early Christian church of the h or sixth century has been unearthed, mural paintings and an ico- next sharp turn. e path then crosses a ravine with a running stream and climbing further up on the road through Rachova Poliana to Padesh lo- nostasis, and is devoted to a through marvellous beech woods climbs up Lokumcheto ridge to reach Yellow marking and stone columns. e trail starts near Vratsa–So a cality. Now the trail takes to the north on the ridge of Tomovski hillside, Bulgarian saint. Stamp 78 of the main road once again. Walking about one kilometer on this road, you road at the fork leading to the village of Pavolche, climbing up a woodland passing through Goren Kliuch locality with a small stone shelter. Cross- the 100 national tourist sites. have to turn to the right and come to the labour service men’s fountain path to a small terraced clearing in Kurdovitsa locality. e path meanders ing the east side of Mount Ostra leads to the broad Kuzmanishki Hol- How to get there: 60 km in a ravine. From the fountain you have to continue uphill, crossing the to take you to a vast meadow, Taushanitsa locality, then again enters the low. On the le , the cli face of Kobilini Steni is seen and on the right, from Vratsa towards So a meandering road to reach the fork in the road to Ledenika and Parshevitsa woods and up a brook leads to Leskovoto Kladenche. Here the trail turns Mount Beglichka Mogila, the highest peak of the Mountain of Vratsa. A through the Iskar gorge, follow Huts. Here you have to go to the le to Parshevitsa Hut. le climbing steeply through beech woods, leading to fascinating mead- 30-minute walk down takes you to Parshevitsa Hut. the road fork at Eliseyna rail- ows on the ridge in Vola locality and then to Izbata locality, a vast sloping way station. 3. VRATSA SKAKLIA WATERFALL PATLEINA LOCALITY pasture with a big drinking water fountain. From here, you have to take a 9. LAKATNIK RAILWAY STATION MILANOVO IZBATA LOCALITY MOUNT OKOLCHITSA 3 hours stony cart track, which you have to leave a er the turn to tread a path lead- VILLAGE PARSHEVITSA HUT 5 HOURS BOZHIAT MOST ing to Botev’s death place in Iolkovitsa locality. From here, the monument THE GOD’S BRIDGE Green marking. Near the street of the Fire Brigade(or past Hristo near Mount Okolchitsa is within 20-minute walking distance. Red marking. is trail starts at Zhitolub karst spring across o Lakat- LOCATIONS FOR CAMPING AND PICNIC IN Botev General Hospital) you reach the outskirts of the city at Zora nik railway station. A pathway with handrails and rest points winds along A natural rock bridge with an entrance NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN” nursing home for the elderly. e path takes you past an old limestone 6. MOUNT OKOLCHITSA POGLEDETS LOCALITY the Chernata Stena leading to Alpiiska Poliana, where there are shelters arch rising up at 20 m, with a width of 25 m. quarry and turns le crossing the bed of a small rivulet falling from RASHOV DOL LOCALITY LUTIBROD VILLAGE 3 hours and rest points. A broad pathway to the right leads to the Chernata Stena. An eco-trail leads there, and there is an attrac- Camping place: the waterfall. en it climbs slightly and leads to a karst spring, where Atop the cli , an alpine shelter, Orlovo Gnezdo (Eagle’s Nest) has been tive recreational area, as well as remains from “CAREER” locality – near village of Zgorigrad. it crosses the rivulet once again and goes steeply up to the waterfall. built on girders. e trail takes onto a pathway to the right, leading to the Middle Age fortress Gradishte. Nearby Yellow marking. From the monument on Mount Okolchitsa you Reaching its bottom, it makes a sharp le turn, climbs a very steep the monument commemorating the revolutionaries killed in September e place can be reached: By car or by bike – follow the road to is the Ponora cave and the picturesque Karst have to go down the road to Vratsa. In about 40 minutes you have to section past the entrance to a large but shallow cave and leads to a vast 1923. Here the trail goes northwards on the ridge, crossing old hamlets the cave Ledenika. e campsite is located in two road turns a er the spring Zhaborek. One may enter the cave only turn to the le and through a vast limestone pavement with a pen, the meadow in the upper part of the rock arch, where there is a rest point and leading to the village of Milanovo. From the centre of the village you crossroad for village of Zgorigrad. with professional equipment and a guide. path goes down to Pogledets locality, where there is an arbour. Climb- with benches and a table. e path turns right to the southwest across have to take the marked path. e path crosses the meandering road on Walkinkg: Take the cognitive route “Vratsa – Ledenika cave” start- How to get there: Taking the road to the vil- ing further down through Krivulio locality past Pogledets shelter, it limestone pavements and leads to vast pastures with pens in Patlei- more than one occasion going through the woods, Korita locality to take ing point Vratsata Gorge. A er 30 minutes you will reach an old career lage of Chiren (direction town of Oriahovo) at turns to the right at a hairpin bend of the meandering road (Pankov’s na locality. Up the rivulet it leads to a big karst spring with another you to Kalichina Bara locality and Parshevitsa Hut. where is the camping. about 15km north of Vratsa. Curve). en it continues to Promkata locality, from where it descends
THEMATIC ROUTES IN NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN” THEMATIC ROUTES IN NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN” THEMATIC ROUTES IN NATURAL PARK “VRACHANSKI BALKAN”
@abv.bg vratchansybalkan e-mail:
tel +359 92 66 58 49 58 66 92 +359 tel THEMATIC TRAILS (these are trails with educational and information boards erected along their paths, as well as shelters, places for rest, bridges, stairs, etc.) Bulgaria
p.box 241, Vratsa 3000 3000 Vratsa 241, p.box
Vrachanski Balkan” Nature Park Nature Balkan” Vrachanski “ Administration of of Administration Information boards along it provide visitors with basic knowledge and after 30 min it reaches the Karierata camping site. There fol- of mountain safety and skills so that to have a nice and risk-free time: Sport-tourist trail ematic trail
Historical trail lows a steep climb and after 40 minutes the trails will take you to facebook: Prirodozashtiten centar Natura centar Prirodozashtiten facebook: information about walking and navigational techniques, mountain „VOIVODIN DOL WATERFALL SKAKLYA“ 4 hours
the spring Mechoto kladenche (Bear's well) with a place to rest. “FOREST TRAIL OF HEALTH” – 50 minutes phone: + 359 92 66 03 18; e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: 18; 03 66 92 359 + phone: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BOTEV – 1 hour equipment, tourism marking, mountain equipment, mountain safety
What follows is the steepest climb up to the rock wreath Garvanets, ( e Red Square) Red e ( advice and the basic principles of rst aid. Start point: the center of village Dolno Start point: a er the Vratsata
wherefrom you can take delight in marvellous views to the Vratzata 27–29 Pop Sava Katra lov, Vratsa Vratsa lov, Katra Sava Pop 27–29 Start point: 500 m before the monument Ozirovo Gorge towards village Zgorigrad
gorge. Next comes a pleasant and easy half an hour descent to the End: town of Vratsa Contacts: of Okolchitsa peak End: site Izvora
End: roundtrip Ledenika cave. Information boards along the route trace will make ematic trail Access: by car or bus, 26 km from town Access: by car or by foot – 1 km
Closed on weekends on Closed Access: by car or by foot, 22 km from you familiar with various cave formations, caves in Bulgaria that of Vratsa from town of Vratsa 1 November – 31 March: Monday to Friday 9.00–12.00; 13.00 – 17.00 – 13.00 9.00–12.00; Friday to Monday March: 31 – November 1 TRAIL LEDENIKA CAVE–
Vratsa are accommodated for tourists, the most interesting caves in the Di culty: easy Di culty: high 9.00–12.00; 13.00 – 17.00 – 13.00 9.00–12.00;
1 April– 31 October: Daily: Daily: October: 31 April– 1 Di culty: easy world, as well as the threats they face. GORNO OZIROVO VILLAGE – 5 hours Description: Description:
Opening hours: Opening Description: e trail is an excellent opportunity e trail climbs on Voivo- Free entrance! Free Start point: next by visitor center Ledenika cave
e trail loops back to its starting ematic trail for visitors to combine outdoors tness din Dol in fascinating beech
point, seeking to familiarize visitors with the formation and the course End: village Gorno Ozirovo training with a nice walk in the moun- woods. On the ridge, there is a
Equipped seminar hall for work meetings and trainings and meetings work for hall seminar Equipped
of the militant group led by Bulgarian revolutionary and great poet KARST AND BIODIVERCITY– 1,5 hours Access: by car or by foot, 16 km from town of Vratsa tain. ere are ve grounds with vari- shelter and 100m south of it, a
Travelling exhibitions; Travelling
Hristo Botev from Kozloduy on the Danube to their last battle elds. e Di culty: middle ous tness facilities along the trail and fountain. e trail then follows the ridge and reach the vertical wall of
Information center, souvenirs and advertisement materials; advertisement and souvenirs center, Information Description: Skaklia Waterfall. Here the trail goes round the upper part of the water-
walking trail leads to the death place of Hristo Botev telling the stories Start point: next to the amphitheatre guides informing visitors about the
Educational and interactive exhibitions for the karsforming and biodiversity; and karsforming the for exhibitions interactive and Educational The trail runs through varied natural terrains, from clearings fall from the east and a steep descent down the ravine begins. of his militants a er the death of their leader. is themed trail features in front of Ledenika cave recommendable exercises and proper
to marvellous beech woods. During your walk you’d get famil-
Interactive kids’ corner; kids’ Interactive information boards with photos and maps, illustrations and life stories amounts of training load. Up the high- e trail cross trough the “Vrachanski karst” Reserve. End: roundtrip
iarized with the ten nature parks in Bulgaria and receive inter-
3D and digital model of Vrachanski Balkan Nature park; Nature Balkan Vrachanski of model digital and 3D of the most prominent militants. est point of the trail, there is a relax-
Access: by car or by foot, 16 km from esting information about their biodiversity and the opportuni- Here you will nd: will you Here ation and meditation area. e trail ematic trail Vratsa ties for tourism each of these provides. Along the trail, there are
Historical trail Di culty: easy links the Forest house (Gorski dom) ECOTRAIL “BELITE SKALI”
Tourist guides and professional trekking guides. trekking professional and guides Tourist rest points and a shelter in case of bad weather. The trail runs with Kozloduy NPP mountain hotel
Description: by Barki 14 cave, believed to be among the most challenging in THE WHITE ROCKS 1 hour environment-keeping-related topics; topics; environment-keeping-related ANCIENT AND MILEDIEVAL VRATITSA – 1 hour and it is erected in such a way so that it can be passed in both directions.
The trail has been built this country. Educational programmes, workshops with children and students on on students and children with workshops programmes, Educational
Start point: the gorge Vratsata, a er the “Chaika” restaurant in the immediate vicinity of Start point: village Lyutibrod
Information about places for accommodation and entertainment; and accommodation for places about Information End: roundtrip
Ledenika Cave. Walking, visi- Tourist and bike trail End: roundtrip
General tourist and specialized information about Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park; Nature Balkan Vrachanski about information specialized and tourist General Access: by car or by foot, 1 km from town of Vratsa tors get familiarized with karst ematic trail Access: by car. e road from Vratsa to So a through Iskar Gorge – 27 km e Centre provides: Centre e Di culty: easy SVRAZHEN – STARO SELO – 1,5 hour
landforms, the typical flora GRIFFON VULTURE IN Di culty: easy
Description: and fauna and their interrela- Description:
Vratsa, that was designated as architectural and artistic monument of culture. of monument artistic and architectural as designated was that Vratsa, is trail was built in Gradishte locality, in the immediate vicinity of tion. Information boards provide visitors with information about VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK – 2 hours Start point: Svrazhen neigh-
bourhood of the village of Mi- e route starts near the bridge over the Iskar river in the vil- e Center was established in 2008 in the building of Eski mosque in the town of of town the in mosque Eski of building the in 2008 in established was Center e Vratsata Gorge, where the city of Vratsa was once established according the “Varchanski Karst” Reserve, the frontier of which is followed. lanovo lage of Lyutibrod. It features erected places for rest and information to historical records. At the time of the second Bulgarian state the settle- Along the trail there are rest points and view tower towards the Start point: the center of boards for the history of the village. It passes along the historical local- ment was forti ed with a wall and grew up to be a town center e trail Danube plain. village Dolno Ozirovo End: Staro Selo neighbourhood of the village of Milanovo ity Rashov dol, remains from a Middle Age church dating from the familiarizes visitors with the archaeological excavations, with the func- The trail is particularly suitable for hot summer days as it passes End: site Izvora ХII–ХIV century, early Christian basilica dating from the V century, Access: by car or bus, 26 km Access: by car by car. e road tions of each of the sites and their historical and cultural importance. entirely through a forest. and the ancient settlement Koritengrad. Visitors are shown photos of the tools and jewels found on the site. from town of Vratsa from Vratsa to So a through Di culty: easy Iskar Gorge - 45 km; by train ematic trail ematic trail Description: – station Lakatnik and 4 km by ematic trail foot on asphalt road. MOUNTAINEERING FOR BEGINNERS– 2 hours e trail reveals the “FOREST WORLD” 1 hour VRATSA – LEDENIKA CAVE – 3 hours mysterious world of Di culty: middle Description: Start point: next to the Ledenika restaurant an almost unknown in Start point: the beginning of Ochin dol Start point: gorge Vratsata Bulgaria birds, vultures. e trail starts on the main road Mezdra – So a and follows the End: roundtrip End: roundtrip End: cave Ledenika Providing you with river Kamenitsa. Access by car. e road from Vratsa to So a through Iskar Gorge – 50 km Access: by car or by foot, 1,5 km from Access: by car or by foot, 16 km from town of Vratsa interesting information, the trail a ords meetings with gri on vultures Climbing further up takes you to Staro Selo neighbourhood and Di culty: easy town of Vratsa Di culty: middle in their natural environment from an observation point built for the the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God, built back in 1492. In- Description: Di culty: middle Description: formation boards along the trail tell the stories of the locality and the e route passes along varied terrains of pine forest and open Description: purpose and from other watching places. e trail passes through varied terrains - beech forest, open pas- When passing along the trail follow the marking, and do not men who used to live here. meadows. Information boards make the visitors familiar with the ge- At the beginning the route tures with Karst formations, rock wreaths and caves. In the middle of From this point it takes 30 minutes to walk to the village of Mila- ology, the ora and fauna in the region. e little ones can enjoy a passes through a pine forest disturb the vultures. In the end of the route there is a spring and a the trail there is a fountain and a place for rest. place for rest. novo or 2 hours to Parshevitsa Hut. small wooden house and an open air school.