The Canyon of Chernelka river

The Canyon of Chernelka river is situated in Pleven municipality, Pleven region. It is listed as protected area in 1969. The eco path made for the tourists is with starting point the village of Gortalovo that is located 16 km south of Pleven and it ends at  at the village of Kartozhabene that is 10 km southwest of the town of Pleven. The distance to the capital Sofia that is southwest of the village is about 152 km. 

The canyon is with width from 60 to 200 m and its area is 300 ha. It was formed millions of years ago when it was bottom of a river. Today the karst rocks are like wreath and their height is between 10 to 35-40 m. 

The ecopath is 7 km long and is nice for taking walks for there are no steep spots. It takes half an hour to pass it. The route passes through 17 bridges and there are gazebos and barbecues for relaxation and picnic. On one the large flat areas there is made football playground. The place itself is excellent for excursions and long walks in the nature. It is best to go on marches in the spring and the fall for in the hot summer days the temperatures at the bottom of the canyon are extremely high. The route could be taken from both villages but the village of Gortalovo is the starting point. 

Nature

The canyon is natural habitat of many plants, birds and animal species. Most of them are included in the Bulgarian Red Book - the red-belly toad, wall lizard, Crimean lizard, grass snake. The birds are more than 200 species among them long-legged buzzard, falcon, hawk, Alpine swift. There also is large of Crag Martins. Interesting plant among the other rock growing plants is the Galanthus nivali from the snowdrop species.
Besides all the plant species richness and the many birds and animals the ecopath impresses with its natural phenomenon - the karst springs Baba Raditsa, Bablya and Kapchuka, the caves Tsareva dupka which is used as watchtower from tsar Ivan Shishman, Mominata dupka cave, Ivanovata dupka cave, Provartenik - rock formation with the form of a ring and its entrance is 15 m deep. There could also be seen rock sketches, remains from Roman roads etc. At the beginning of the eco path you see Tsepenata skala or Razsecheniyat (in Bulgarian it means Slashed) which is a stone that lies on the ground as if it was cut with giant knife.

Transportation 

By car the access is easy and quick if take the road Pleven - Lovech and just a few kilometers at the village of Brestovets you turn right. Then you pass the village of Todorovo and you get to Gortalovo village. By bus you can also go there. Three times a day there are buses from and to Gortalovo on the route Pleven- Beglezh and Pleven - Dragana. 

accommodation

At the midst of the eco path is situated Kapchuka cottage which is being repaired at the moment. At the village of Gortalovo there house for guests with capacity of 4 people. 

Sources: http://www.trud.bg
Photos: http://www.snimka.bg/ http://www.offroad-bulgaria.com