About Central Balkan National Park

Nature lovers from around the globe will fall head over heels for the Central Balkan National Park. Consisting of nine nature reserves, it is one of the largest protected areas in Europe.
Central Balkan National Park is home to a lot of rare and endangered wildlife species, including bears, wolves, vultures, and eagles. Over half of the park is covered in centuries-old beech, spruce, fir and oak forests. Of these, 10 species, and two subspecies are found nowhere else in the world.
The scale of the park and mountain is unique to Bulgaria. The Novoselski Rocks have several rock walls and are more than 1,500 feet in height. Peeshti Rocks is a crown of rocks. Taja Gorge is a deep gorge with high cliff walls, and waterfalls. These three together are the largest natural outcrop of granite of 4.5 miles in length and 7 miles in progress. Don’t miss Rajchova Cave, the deepest precipice cave in Bulgaria. Visit the Krali Markova Dupka, a rock bridge over 9 feet high. Legend has it that Krali Marko, a famous Bulgarian hero, threw his mace and put a hole in the mountain.
Pit yourself against nature, climb the rocks, and hike through the mist in a land of mystery.

Must See

  • Rare and endangered species
  • Centuries-old beech forests
  • Waterfalls and deep canyons
  • Vast meadows
  • Peaks & mountain ranges

How to reach

Entrance Zavodna: 1 hour of walk from the village of Ribaritsa (Teteven Balkan). If you take a taxi from Ribaritsa, Lovech Province to Central Balkan National Park, it takes  2hours 21minutes to travel a distance of 96.8 km and one-way cost varies from 70 leva to 90 leva. 

Entrance Kordela: 1 hour walking from the village of Divchevoto. Taxi from Divchovoto to Central Balkan National Park takes  3hours  6minutes to travel a distance of 177.1 km, and one-way costs from 130 leva to 160 leva.

Tips

  • Travel in a group, avoid hiking alone.
  • Listen to your leader’s/guide’s instructions.
  • Avoid taking unnecessary shortcuts, as you may lose your bearings.
  • If possible, wear lightweight, synthetic, weatherproof clothing.
  • Do take drinking water and high-energy bars with you, as hiking will tire you out.
  • Do not use firearms or fireworks in the Park, not only is it dangerous but also it is strictly forbidden.
  • To be safe, remember that burning bushes and grass to clear the area is strictly forbidden.

Visit Time

Environmental Protection Information Center “Cherni Osam” at the Natural Science Museum:

Sunday:        8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Monday:       8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday:      8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday:     8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Friday:          8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday:      8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Guided tours are organized by the museum – BGN 5.00
in Bulgarian, French, English, German, Russian and Spanish language.

Tourist and Environmental Protection Information Center “Karlovo”:

Opening hours:
8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Days off: Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday:       Closed
Monday:       8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday:      8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday:     8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Friday:          8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday:      Closed

No guided tours are offered

Information materials and souvenirs are sold.

Information Center “Central Balkan” – Kalofer:

Sunday:         10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 
Monday:        10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 
Tuesday:       Day off 
Wednesday:  Day off 
Thursday:     10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 
Friday:          10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 
Saturday:      10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 

Days off: Tuesday and Wednesday (it works on request in these days as well.)

Informational and Educational Center of the Directorate of National Park “Central Balkan”:

Opening hours of the Directorate:

Sunday:         8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Monday:        8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Tuesday:       8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Wednesday:  8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Thursday:      8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Friday:           8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Saturday:       8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. 
Guards guide tourists around.

Time Icon

Waiting Time

Nil

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

8 hours

 

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Weather

Snow -5.04°C

 

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