Hiking trails
Tourists who come to the village of Ravnogor can enjoy the following hikes in the mountains, as well as many others:
Duration (one way): 1:15 – 1:30 h.
Having the village as a starting point, walk in south-eastern direction on a nice cart road. After 25-30 minutes you will see St. Elijah chapel on the left-hand side. Looking around you can observe the southeastern slope of the ridge with the areas Dalbokoto dere, Sryadna, Bukovik, Fortsovo, Shipkata, Prisoeto etc. Going further up the road in 45-50 minutes you will reach the Bekov Rocks. The track is marked with signs and one can not go wrong. The place is very spacious. Opposite is the Chernatitsa mountain ridge with Persenk and Modar peaks, and in the lowlands you can see the valley of the Vacha river, where the waters of the Vacha reservoire turn blue. For hours you can stand and enjoy the beautiful landscapes changing color depending on the season and weather conditions.
Duration (one way): 1:15 – 1:30 h. (2:15 – 2:30 h. to Bekov Rocks)
Having Boryka Family Hotel as a starting point, pass by the school and then continue along the sign next to the reservoir on the path to the St. Helena peak. In about 40-50 minutes you can reach the St. Constantine and Helena chapel. There are several shelters next to it, suitable for having a picnic and barbecue, as well as benches, a fireplace and a large table. On the feast of St. Constantine and Helena (May 21) a sacrifice is served in the chapel. Continuing along the ridge you descend to the St. Elijah chapel. From there you can continue to the left along the signposted road to the Bekov rocks or return (to the right) on the way to the village, which is about 25-30 minutes walk and passes a fountain with the colorful name ‘Kochunski chuchuruk’.
Duration (one way): around 45 min.
Going in a southeasterly direction to the former farmyard, you leave the village on a cart road that passes through the Druma area. Walking along the road, you see signposts for the Red Rock, which is about 45 minutes from the village, offering a diverse and refreshing walk. The legend connects the rock with the death of two girls from Ravnogor, who threw themselves from the it and preferred death to the dishonor and violence of the persecuting Turks, which gave the name to the rock and the area around it. The place offers an incredible panorama in the directions east, southeast and south to the river Vacha and the Ravnogor sheepfolds. An alternative route is the deviation from the St. Elijah chapel in a southern direction, which is marked with signs.
Duration (one way): 1:15 – 1:30 h. (it’s quicker going down)
Having Boryka Family Hotel as a starting point, pass by the school and then turn left at the second intersection, passing the kindergarten on the right-hand side. Going all the way to the end of the street, there is a sign that indicates the way to climb the peak. For this purpose there is a pleasant path in the forest with benches at each major turn, which offer a breath of fresh air from the steep climb. Getting to the ridge you will see a panoramic view of the Ravnogor valley and the surrounding peaks, and in good weather to the north you can see the Upper Thracian Plain, Sredna Gora and the Balkan mountain range.
Duration (one way): 1:45 – 2:00 h. (around 50 min. if you drive to the deviation on the way to Atoluka)
Having the village as a starting point, go in a westerly direction on the asphalt road to Atoluka resort (also known as Vasil Petleshkov). After passing through the open terrain and almost climbing the steep forest section just before the resort – about 500 – 600 m to the right of the road there is a sign for the Raven’s Rock. If you choose to drive by car until that point, you should leave it on the lawn immediately after the sign and continue on foot along a wide forest dirt road. Following the signs, you reach the St. Stephen chapel and the nearby Raven’s Rock. The place offers a spectacular view of the Upper Thracian Plain, Sredna Gora and the Balkan mountain range. In clear weather, Rozovski Vriz, Rozovo, Bratsigovo, Zhrebichko, Novo Selo, Kapitan Dimitrievo, Pazardzhik and others can be seen.
Duration (one way): 1:00 – 1:15 h.
Having the village as a starting point, go west on an asphalt road, the distance is about 4 – 5 km. Walking along the road, you see how the Ravnogor River meanders along the high mountain valley, forming dozens of bends before heading down the mountain slope. The route passes through the Gyola area and enters the forest. Along the road there are several fountains that serve as recreation and refreshment on the way to the resort. Atoluka offers a pleasant coolness from the heat, the opportunity to walk in the woods, and every first Saturday of August a traditional fair is organized. In the last few years, a mushroom festival has been held in the summer.
Duration (one way): 1:15 – 1:30 h.
Having the village as a starting point, go on the asphalt road to Bratsigovo and after about 2 km you will see a sign for Rozovski Vriz that indicates turning left to the forest. From there, the trail winds around the river, passes by small natural waterfalls and along the Ravnogor river intake. There is a very pleasant transition through a magnificent beech forest and you find yourself next to the first villas. The route is easy, short and well marked. The Rozovski Vriz area takes its name from the fact that there are many springs which gather their waters into a micro dam called Gyuvecha. The place is preferred for recreation in the summer and winter because of the pristine nature and its crystal clear water and air. The resort is also suitable for children – there is a large football and basketball field, as well as a playground. From Rozovski Vriz along a marked steep mountain path you can reach the Raven’s Rock and then go to Atoluka resort and back to Ravnogor.
Duration (one way): around 40 min.
Going in a southeasterly direction to the former farmyard, you leave the village on a cart road that passes through Chemerikata area. Walking along the road, you turn right, following the sign for the Thracian mounds. From there, the goal is only about 20 minutes away. The largest domed Thracian tomb in Bulgaria was discovered here by chance during the plowing of a potato block in November 1986. After this discovery, in August 1987, archeological excavations began under the direction of Senior Research Associate Georgi Kitov (1943-2008). Twenty tombs built in the period IV-II century BC have been discovered. In one of the mounds the Ravnogor treasure was found, which represents nine objects, part of a decoration for horse ammunition and seven round applications. You can usually find it in the Regional History Museum – Pazardzhik, when it is not on tour around the world (it has been exhibited in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, USA and Japan, as well as in the Louvre).
Duration (one way): 1:15 – 1:30 h.
Having the village as a starting point, go on the asphalt road to Bratsigovo and after about 2 km there is a sign on the right-hand side to the Dupkata cave. There is a very pleasant transition in the forest and in about 45 minutes you reach the goal. The path is marked and relatively flat. The cave is at the base of a rock, and the entrance is low and one has to bend down to enter. Going into the cave requires appropriate equipment – boots, flashlight, etc., as Dupkata (lit. ‘The Hole’) is a virgin cave with preserved intact flora and fauna, through which flows an underground stream. Above the entrance in the rock itself there is another opening with a regular round shape, but it is accessible only having mountain climbing equipment. An alternative route to take is the dirt cart road to Bekov rocks. When you pass the St. Elijah chapel and at the first major road fork you have to turn left and walk parallel along a small river, leaving the Bekov rocks on the right-hand side. The road goes down and is clearly visible and marked.
Duration (one way): around 30 – 45 min.
Having the village as a starting point, go in a southeasterly direction on a nice cart road. After 25-30 minutes you reach St. Elijah chapel. At the fork, take the dirt road to the right in an easterly direction and you will reach Velyovata meadow. It can be reached in 15-20 minutes from St. Elijah chapel. There is a shelter and a fountain, where you can have a picnic and enjoy the wonderful view to the east and southeast of the river Vacha. In the autumn it is an ideal place to collect rose hips.
Duration (one way): around 1:15 – 1:30 h.
Having the village as a starting point, go in a southwesterly direction on a dirt road and cross Konarnika area. The road goes down to the Boaza river (one of the tributaries of Ravnogor river), you cross the river on a wooden bridge and after going up at the fork take the right road to the west. Tourists can visit Uzunovoto area where the cold water is caught in fountains, the local hunting party has made a spacious shelter with a barbecue, massive tables, wooden benches and great conditions for picnics and relaxation. The route is easy and pleasant for hiking. The distance is no more than 3-4 km, and in the forest above the shelter you can enjoy delicious strawberries and blueberries in the summer.
Duration (one way): around 3 h.
Having the village as a starting point, go west on the asphalt road to Atoluka, crossing Pryavolata area. The route deviates on a dirt road to the left, passing through the Bash Igrek area in the direction of Batashka River (right tributary of Ravnogor River). Take a dirt road against the river in a westerly direction and you will reach Mangashli Peak and Kartala area, which offers a panoramic view to the west of Batak Reservoir. There are many deviations from the main road in both directions and if you wish you can reach the surrounding peaks, organize a picnic, pick blueberries, wild strawberries, raspberries and mushrooms. The total trail distance is about 7 – 8 km. The presence of a local guide is necessary to avoid getting lost in the mountains.
Duration: day hike (long distance trail, around 16 km in one direction)
Having the village as a starting point, go south on a wide dirt road in Beglika area. After about 2.5 km take the left road at the fork towards Tsarkvitsata area, which would eventually lead you to the village of Fotinovo. The distance from Ravnogor to Fotinovo is about 12 km, and the transition from Fotinovo to Fotinski waterfalls takes about an hour. There are three waterfalls which are very picturesque and are fully worth the effort going up and down. As an alternative to the long walk, you can rent bikes at Boryka Hotel and ride most of the time to the waterfalls. The road is not suitable for regular cars, but rather for off-road SUVs with high ground clearance.
Duration: day hike (long distance trail, around 15 km in one direction)
Having the village as a starting point, go in a southern direction, pass through the former farmyard and take the road to the Thracian mounds. After about 15 minutes at the junction continue straight. Hunting and fishing enthusiasts can reach Vacha Reservoir on foot or by vehicle, adapted for rugged mountain terrain and experience unforgettable moments while hunting big game – deer, pigs, wild boars, as well as catching carp, trout and other freshwater fish. The distance to the end point is about 14 – 15 km, passing through the areas Bankovia Burun, Dalbokoto Dere, Sryadna, Bukvik, Fortsovo and Chechvo. Along the route you can find hunting lodges that are maintained in good condition, equipped with everything necessary for an overnight stay. An alternative route is to continue on the road to Bekov Rocks through the Soudzhak area in the direction of Osenovo with the Vacha reservoir wall being the end point, where you can see a monument to the partisan detachment “Anton Ivanovtsi”. The presence of a local guide is necessary to avoid getting lost in the mountains.
Duration: day hike (long distance trail)
Having the village as a starting point, go south on a wide dirt road. When you reach Boaza area, about 4-5 km from the village, next to the road you will see a couple of villas and an unfinished hotel. The area is very beautiful with predominant coniferous forests. The distance to the Kurtludzha area is about 12 km, to Nova Mahala about 16 km, to Batak about 21 km, and to go to Kurtludzha you pass through the Groba area. It is possible to have a walking trip as well as driving an off-road vehicle. There are many deviations from the main road in both directions and if you wish you can reach the surrounding peaks, organize a picnic, pick blueberries, wild strawberries, raspberries and mushrooms. The presence of a local guide is necessary to avoid getting lost in the mountains.
Special thanks for the photos to: Dimitar Kazakov, Nikolay Shopov Photography, Kalinka Shtarbeva, KokoFresha Photography, Ravnogor Scorelauf Marathon, Nikolay Baklev Photography, Rumen Spasov, Denislav Georgiev, Velina Andreeva, Zlatka Tineva, Georgi Dinkov, Adelina Velkushanova, Eli Ivanova (Drumi v Dumi), Elizabet Milanova, Stefka Vancheva, Petar Lesov, Ivan Ivanov, Stefka Vencheva, Dimitris Titos