NATURAL PARK VRACHANSKI BALKAN

Location

The Natural park Vratchanski Balkan occupies the biggest area of the Vrachanska mountain and the massive of the Lakatnishkite skali. Its territory includes the town of Vratsa, situated only at the distance of 116 km. from Sofia, at 370m above the sea level at the foot of Vrachanska mountain.
The Vrachanska mountain is interstitial place between fore- Balkan and the main chain of Stara planina mountain. It rises to the south of Vratsa and the Vrachansko pole with grand rock slopes. To the south there is the gorge of the Iskar River. The west border is Drujevska sedlovina. The direction of the mountain is northwest- southeast. It is long about 30 km. and wide about 10- 15 km. From this mountain spring the rivers Leva, Cherna and Zlatitsa, and they divide the mountain into three parts- Belglichki (the southwestern), Stresherski (the northwestern) and Bazovski ( the eastern). The vastest one is the southwestern part with the highest peak- Beglichka mogila (1481,7m).

Unique in their beauty caves and chasms can be seen in the park. Their total number is above 500 and special interest attract Ledenika, Temnata dupka (Dark hole), Zmejova dupka (Dragon hole), Haidushka propast (haidushka chasm), Gardujuva dupka, Kalnata propast (Muddy chasm), Nevestina propast (Bride’s chasm) and Sokolova dupka (Eagle hole).

CULTURAL HERITAGE

The favourable geographic and climate conditions of the Vrachanska planina and the valleys in the region attracted the people to settle here. On the territory of the Natural park “Vrachanski Balkan” there are a lot of cultural monuments and evidences telling of local people’s life. The objects are very different - historical, architectural, archeological, artistic: Ethnographic museum, The tower of meshchiite, The karpashovata tower,Cherepishki Monastery. 

TOURISM

The geographic location, the rich flora and fauna and the unique relief, the regular transport are reason for the development of the tourism on the territory of the National Park “Vrachanski Balkan”. In the region of the nature landmark Vratsata is located a beautiful massive, called Dolomitite- a place for national and international alpine competitions. One of the attractive places in the park is the new-build Vratsa- eco path. It is the sixth eco path of that kind in Bulgaria and it is unique with its combination of attractive elements of the nature. It offers unforgettable feelings to the tourists and to the fans of nature.
The picturesque villages of Pavolche and Zgogigrad dispose of lovely furnished rural houses for development to the rural tourism. Here not only the Bulgarians, but also the foreign guests can feel the traditional hospitability, to enjoy the great nature, to taste delicious eco products, to taste excellent local wines. The villas and the hotels in the Natural park Vrachanski Balkan, offer perfect conditions for winter and summer children camps with educational programs.

FLORA AND FAUNA

On the territory of the park have been registered about 950 species of high plants, of which more than 80 are rare species. From scientific and preservation point of view the most interesting species are the groups living in the caves (vertebrates and bats) and the day birds of prey. There are 214 registered species of vertebrates in the park.
Within the limits of the park lies the reserve Vrchanski karst. It covers an area of 1453,1 ha, situated along the northern stone cliff slopes of Varchanska Mountain. The territory of the reserve is inhabited by the rare and endangered species of Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon, short-toed eagle, long-legged buzzard, 8 species of bats etc.