published on 08.07.2008, 14:05 Author: BulgariaInside Article rating:
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Goliam Pelerik Peak
Rhodope Mountain’s highest peak is called Goliam Pelerik. It is 2191 m high and is situated 19 km away from the town of Smolyan. It is easily accessible but the peak itself houses a military facility and access is restricted.
Cars can reach a hut situated below the peak, carrying the same name. A beautiful meadow leads to the military facility. Making photos and videos is also forbidden.
Choudnite Mostove
Choudnite Mostove (the wonder bridges) is a rock phenomenon that formed on the bank of Erkiupria River. Erosion carved the rocks and water shaped a cave. Its ceiling probably collapsed during an earthquake and formed the rock phenomenon.
The two massive rock bridges are situated 200 meters away from each other.
To see this natural carving, you need to go to the West Rhodopes. The altitude is 1450 m and the cliffs are situated right below Goliam Pelerik peak. The road leading there is narrow and of poor quality. Take the diversion to the village of Zaburdo on the road from Asenovgrad to Smolyan.
Two huts are situated near the rocks and both offer accommodation. The bridges are hidden in dense forests but are easily accessible. During the summer, you can make use of the benches along the path to enjoy the beautiful view.
Rhodope Mountain’s highest peak is called Goliam Pelerik. It is 2191 m high and is situated 19 km away from the town of Smolyan. It is easily accessible but the peak itself houses a military facility and access is restricted.
Cars can reach a hut situated below the peak, carrying the same name. A beautiful meadow leads to the military facility. Making photos and videos is also forbidden.
Choudnite Mostove
Choudnite Mostove (the wonder bridges) is a rock phenomenon that formed on the bank of Erkiupria River. Erosion carved the rocks and water shaped a cave. Its ceiling probably collapsed during an earthquake and formed the rock phenomenon.
The two massive rock bridges are situated 200 meters away from each other.
To see this natural carving, you need to go to the West Rhodopes. The altitude is 1450 m and the cliffs are situated right below Goliam Pelerik peak. The road leading there is narrow and of poor quality. Take the diversion to the village of Zaburdo on the road from Asenovgrad to Smolyan.
Two huts are situated near the rocks and both offer accommodation. The bridges are hidden in dense forests but are easily accessible. During the summer, you can make use of the benches along the path to enjoy the beautiful view.
Shiroka Luka
Shiroka Luka is one of the Bulgarian villages that have developed over the centuries. Its preserved revival period houses rank it among the most beautiful places in the country.
The village is situated between the towns of Smolyan and Devin, in the heart of Rhodope Mountains. It features over 100 monuments of culture and has been named an architecture and ethnographic museum.
Most of the houses are still used and their owners maintain the original looks. The typical construction in Shiroka Luka is massive, has stone foundations and two floors. Ceilings are covered with stone plates and outer stairs lead to the second floor.
To learn more about Shiroka Luka click here.
Trigrad Gorge
The road from Devin to the village of Trigrad passes alongside the Trigrad River. Nature carved the stones and formed steep statues that look as if they are about to collapse any minute. This is the Trigrad gorge.
The gorge is seven km long and is the best known such formation in the country. Be careful, since the road passing through the gorge is narrow and curves are often sharp. Driving there might be dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers. On occasions, the road narrows down to one lane.
Trigrad gorge is among the 100 national tourist sites.
Dyavolskoto Gurlo Cave
The cave carrying the scary name Dyavolskoto Gurlo (the devil’s throat) is deep rather than long.
To visit the cave, take the road to the village of Trigrad. Yagodinska cave is also situated nearby.
Dyavolskoto Gurlo featyres the biggest underground waterfall on the Balkans.
The shape of the cave’s entrance gave it the name. Another interesting fact is that all objects that the river brings in the cave remain inside. Though water leaves Dyavolskoto Gurlo, nothing else comes out of the cave.
During the summer, the cave welcomes visitors from 9 am to 5 pm. To visit during the winter, you need to make an appointment in advance. Detailed information about the cave is available here.
Yagodinska Cave
Located very close to the village of Yagodina, in the western Rhodope Mountain region. Diavolskoto Gurlo is another cave located nearby.
The temperature inside the cave is six degrees Celsius year-round. During the summer, bring warm clothes since the walk lasts nearly one hour.
Yagodinska cave has three levels and only one of them is suitable for mass tourist visits. A group of enthusiasts needs to form before they are taken to some of the other levels. Such extreme adventure can be negotiated with one of the guides.
Groups enter the cave each hour from 9 am to 4 pm. To learn more about it, click here.
Buynovo Gorge
The gorge is situated in the western part of the Rhodope Mountains, between the village of Yagodina and Teshel. It runs alongside Buynovska River.
Trigrad gorge is parallel and happens to be even more impressive than the Buynovo gorge.
The narrowest point of the gorge is called Vulchi Skok. The steep cliffs touch there at a height of three to four meters above the road.
More information about the gorge is available here.
Shiroka Luka is one of the Bulgarian villages that have developed over the centuries. Its preserved revival period houses rank it among the most beautiful places in the country.
The village is situated between the towns of Smolyan and Devin, in the heart of Rhodope Mountains. It features over 100 monuments of culture and has been named an architecture and ethnographic museum.
Most of the houses are still used and their owners maintain the original looks. The typical construction in Shiroka Luka is massive, has stone foundations and two floors. Ceilings are covered with stone plates and outer stairs lead to the second floor.
To learn more about Shiroka Luka click here.
Trigrad Gorge
The road from Devin to the village of Trigrad passes alongside the Trigrad River. Nature carved the stones and formed steep statues that look as if they are about to collapse any minute. This is the Trigrad gorge.
The gorge is seven km long and is the best known such formation in the country. Be careful, since the road passing through the gorge is narrow and curves are often sharp. Driving there might be dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers. On occasions, the road narrows down to one lane.
Trigrad gorge is among the 100 national tourist sites.
Dyavolskoto Gurlo Cave
The cave carrying the scary name Dyavolskoto Gurlo (the devil’s throat) is deep rather than long.
To visit the cave, take the road to the village of Trigrad. Yagodinska cave is also situated nearby.
Dyavolskoto Gurlo featyres the biggest underground waterfall on the Balkans.
The shape of the cave’s entrance gave it the name. Another interesting fact is that all objects that the river brings in the cave remain inside. Though water leaves Dyavolskoto Gurlo, nothing else comes out of the cave.
During the summer, the cave welcomes visitors from 9 am to 5 pm. To visit during the winter, you need to make an appointment in advance. Detailed information about the cave is available here.
Yagodinska Cave
Located very close to the village of Yagodina, in the western Rhodope Mountain region. Diavolskoto Gurlo is another cave located nearby.
The temperature inside the cave is six degrees Celsius year-round. During the summer, bring warm clothes since the walk lasts nearly one hour.
Yagodinska cave has three levels and only one of them is suitable for mass tourist visits. A group of enthusiasts needs to form before they are taken to some of the other levels. Such extreme adventure can be negotiated with one of the guides.
Groups enter the cave each hour from 9 am to 4 pm. To learn more about it, click here.
Buynovo Gorge
The gorge is situated in the western part of the Rhodope Mountains, between the village of Yagodina and Teshel. It runs alongside Buynovska River.
Trigrad gorge is parallel and happens to be even more impressive than the Buynovo gorge.
The narrowest point of the gorge is called Vulchi Skok. The steep cliffs touch there at a height of three to four meters above the road.
More information about the gorge is available here.
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Landmarks in the West Rhodopes