The sea season is over. Where can you enjoy nature in Bulgaria in the autumn?

The best-known natural landmarks are the Seven Rila Lakes, Chudnite skali, the Ledenika cave and the Raysko Praskalo waterfall. But that is far from a complete list. Here are some lesser-known natural landmarks that deserve attention.

Around Burgas

The Ropotamo reserve lies 50 km from Burgas in the municipality of Primorsko. It has lush deciduous forests where Mediterranean plants can be found — evidence of how close it is to Bulgaria’s southern borders. Natural sand dunes, a strip of beach and the calm waters of a wide river make the reserve an excellent place to relax.

Further south lies the Silkosia reserve. The mouth of the Veleka river is here as well. This place is considered one of the most picturesque corners of the Black Sea coast. Emerald foliage is reflected in the river waters, creating a mysterious half-light. The place is unknown to tourists, and only a few make their way here to enjoy being close to nature. Rare plant species are common here in the river valley. Some of them — the yellow sand lily, for example — can be found nowhere else.

Near Blagoevgrad

Why not head to the Rila mountains? Besides the famous lakes there is much more of interest here. For example, not far from the village of

Stob there is an interesting natural phenomenon — the Stob pyramids. These are natural formations up to 12 metres high — yellow-brown pyramid-shaped rocks with characteristic thickenings at the top. Over time, under the influence of natural factors, these thickenings break off and the tops of the rocks become pointed.

The Parangalitsa reserve is 30 km from Blagoevgrad. It is home to 290 plant species, some of them endemic. The animal life is diverse too — you can come across red deer and chamois, various species of woodpeckers, and see predators from a distance.

The Rhodopes

Picturesque mountain ranges lie very close to the Greek border. Here you can see magnificent caves and valleys.

Trigradsko zhdrelo — this unusual name conceals a gorge 2–3 kilometres long, located not far from the village of Trigrad. Sheer cliffs on both sides of the Trigradska river give the place an unusual and slightly sinister look. In places the distance between them barely exceeds a hundred metres. The river soon disappears into the Dyavolskoto garlo cave. That place is worth a visit too.

The name of one of Bulgaria’s most famous caves — the Devil’s Throat — needs no explanation. Its origin is easy to understand once you see the cave’s exit, which resembles a devil’s head. In the past this place was used as the entrance underground. The cave consists of several halls, one of which contains the highest underground waterfall in the Balkans. Legend has it that it was into this cave that Orpheus descended to rescue his beloved from the kingdom of Hades.

Until the end of September the cave is open from 8 to 18, and after that by special request. Dress warmly for a visit — the temperature inside does not exceed 8 degrees.

The North-Eastern region

The Srebarna reserve is located not far from Silistra. The reserve’s name is easy

to explain: on moonlit nights the water in the lake here looks like molten silver. It is beautiful during the day as well. Nature lovers can not only walk to their heart’s content along the shores of the freshwater lake, but also see the many birds that nest here. The area lies on the Via Pontica migration route. There are numerous nests of pelicans, swans, ducks and herons.

Nearby is the village of Malak Preslavets, and there is another landmark there. It is a marsh, but not an ordinary one — a special one. It holds the country’s largest colony of water lilies: 46 decares of water surface are covered with delicate white flowers.

We wish you a pleasant time in Bulgaria! It is a great place to relax at any time of year!

To the list of all articles

To the list of Useful articles