As of today, two of the reserves in the "Central Balkan" National Park have been declared.
11 July 2023
The Sokolna Reserve is part of the Central Balkan National Park. It was declared a reserve on July 11, 1979, in order to preserve characteristic habitats and localities of rare and protected species in the Balkan massif of Triglav. The reserve is located on the eastern slopes of the massif, including parts of the Sokolna and Kui Dere river basins.
The relief is represented by inaccessible rock massifs, steep and rugged limestone slopes, which give the valley of the Sokolna river a canyon-like appearance.
More than 600 species of representatives of higher plants have been identified, of which 40 are rare and endangered. Among them is the Old Mountain Edelweiss.
The combination of relief and plant communities favors the diversity of the animal world. Sokolna Reserve is home of 21 species of mammals and over 60 species of birds
The forests are composed of oak, hornbeam, sycamore, as well as mixed - beech-spruce and beech-pine. Yew is a rare species, included in the Red Book of Bulgaria and protected by law. In ancient times, it was used because of its strong wood. In the Sokolna reserve, you can still see the traces of the paths carved into the rocks for felling the wood.
Sokolna Reserve is one of Bulgaria's natural gardens. It preserves many rare and endangered plants, among them, yellow mountain tulip, black sedge , Rhodope silivryak and others.
Large mammals are represented by the red deer, the roe deer, the wild boar. Squirrel, fox, badger and spotted ferret are also found.
The bird world is rich. Near the territory of the reserve, the reintroduction of the griffon vulture continues. The restoration of stable populations of European large vultures is of great importance for nature.
The main access to the reserve is from the village of Gabarevo. The route is rocky, steep, but extremely beautiful and panoramic. For lovers of mountain hiking, parts of two hiking trails pass through the reserve, specially marked because deviating from them is prohibited.
The “Peeshti Skali” (Singing Rocks) reserve is located in the northeastern part of the Park. It was declared as such on July 11, 1979. It was created with the aim of preserving high mountain treeless habitats, natural beech forests and characteristic fauna of the Rositsa river basin. On the territory of nearly 1,500 hectares, a wild magnificence of life, forms and colors gushes. The reserve is called "Singing Rocks" because of the wonderful phenomenon - the rock formations on the ridge in the eastern parts of the Kalofer mountain and their mysterious song with the voice of the winds.
The terrain is crossed with numerous ups and downs, sheer cliffs, avalanche beds, small clearings.
The reserve is hydrographically rich and covers the headwaters and upper reaches of several rivers. Its territory covers the upper parts of the watersheds of the Tsrvulshtitsa and Bagareshtitsa rivers, tributaries of the Rositsa river.
The relief is represented by inaccessible rock massifs, steep and rugged limestone slopes, which give the valley of the Sokolna river a canyon-like appearance.
More than 600 species of representatives of higher plants have been identified, of which 40 are rare and endangered. Among them is the Old Mountain Edelweiss.
The combination of relief and plant communities favors the diversity of the animal world. Sokolna Reserve is home of 21 species of mammals and over 60 species of birds
The forests are composed of oak, hornbeam, sycamore, as well as mixed - beech-spruce and beech-pine. Yew is a rare species, included in the Red Book of Bulgaria and protected by law. In ancient times, it was used because of its strong wood. In the Sokolna reserve, you can still see the traces of the paths carved into the rocks for felling the wood.
Sokolna Reserve is one of Bulgaria's natural gardens. It preserves many rare and endangered plants, among them, yellow mountain tulip, black sedge , Rhodope silivryak and others.
Large mammals are represented by the red deer, the roe deer, the wild boar. Squirrel, fox, badger and spotted ferret are also found.
The bird world is rich. Near the territory of the reserve, the reintroduction of the griffon vulture continues. The restoration of stable populations of European large vultures is of great importance for nature.
The main access to the reserve is from the village of Gabarevo. The route is rocky, steep, but extremely beautiful and panoramic. For lovers of mountain hiking, parts of two hiking trails pass through the reserve, specially marked because deviating from them is prohibited.
The “Peeshti Skali” (Singing Rocks) reserve is located in the northeastern part of the Park. It was declared as such on July 11, 1979. It was created with the aim of preserving high mountain treeless habitats, natural beech forests and characteristic fauna of the Rositsa river basin. On the territory of nearly 1,500 hectares, a wild magnificence of life, forms and colors gushes. The reserve is called "Singing Rocks" because of the wonderful phenomenon - the rock formations on the ridge in the eastern parts of the Kalofer mountain and their mysterious song with the voice of the winds.
The terrain is crossed with numerous ups and downs, sheer cliffs, avalanche beds, small clearings.
The reserve is hydrographically rich and covers the headwaters and upper reaches of several rivers. Its territory covers the upper parts of the watersheds of the Tsrvulshtitsa and Bagareshtitsa rivers, tributaries of the Rositsa river.
Among the forest vegetation, beech dominates. Relatively unaffected by man, the forests are distinguished by virginity and age - the age of the trees reaches more than 170 years. A representative of conifers is the common fir. In addition to it, companions of the beech are ordinary and mountain sycamore, rowan, mountain ash, elm.
The plant wealth of “Peeshti Skali” reserve is complemented by red and black bilberry, and siberian juniper prevails on the high mountain meadows, carpets of crocuses cover the meadows of the reserve. In the forest part, the laurel is found, and on the wet rocks - the Rhodope silivryak. Collecting mushrooms, berries, herbs, picking flowers, disturbing wild animals is not allowed in the reserve, and movement should only be on marked paths.
The reserve is home to roe deer, wolves, chamois. Golden and wild cats, weasels and squirrels live secretly in the dense beech forests, wild boars are also found. The majestic lord of the forest – the brown bear – roams the steep slopes.
The bird diversity of the reserve is exceptional. In the forests, woodpeckers, owls, wood owls, common cuckoos nest. Numerous birds of prey circle the sky above the reserve. The largest eagle in our country is also found here - the golden eagle.
The Singing Rocks Reserve is accessible by climbing from Mazalat Hut. The hut is located in the Mandrishteto area. From here start tourist routes that lead to some of the most magnificent peaks of Stara planina.
The Singing Rocks are one of the most popular rock phenomena in Тhe National park.
The plant wealth of “Peeshti Skali” reserve is complemented by red and black bilberry, and siberian juniper prevails on the high mountain meadows, carpets of crocuses cover the meadows of the reserve. In the forest part, the laurel is found, and on the wet rocks - the Rhodope silivryak. Collecting mushrooms, berries, herbs, picking flowers, disturbing wild animals is not allowed in the reserve, and movement should only be on marked paths.
The reserve is home to roe deer, wolves, chamois. Golden and wild cats, weasels and squirrels live secretly in the dense beech forests, wild boars are also found. The majestic lord of the forest – the brown bear – roams the steep slopes.
The bird diversity of the reserve is exceptional. In the forests, woodpeckers, owls, wood owls, common cuckoos nest. Numerous birds of prey circle the sky above the reserve. The largest eagle in our country is also found here - the golden eagle.
The Singing Rocks Reserve is accessible by climbing from Mazalat Hut. The hut is located in the Mandrishteto area. From here start tourist routes that lead to some of the most magnificent peaks of Stara planina.
The Singing Rocks are one of the most popular rock phenomena in Тhe National park.
