Natural park “Bulgarka”

Bulgarka Nature Park was established to protect and maintain beech ecosystems, flora, fauna and cultural and historical wealth in the central Stara Planina massif.

The park occupies an area of 21,772 ha and includes territories from the municipalities of Gabrovo and Tryavna. The average altitude is 940 m. It covers the National Park-Museum “Shipka – Buzludzha”, the regional etnographic open-air museum “Etar”, the protected areas “Sokolski Monastery”, “Machchenitsa – Yovovtsi”, “Studen Kladenets” and “Stolishta” and the natural phenomenon “Machnati skali”, “Vikanata Skala”, “Natural Yew Site” and “Big Beech”.

There are more than 1300 plant species in the park, 32 of which are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria. Nearly 70% of Bulgarian medicinal plants are found here. There is a huge diversity of the animal world: golden eagle, small hawk, forest snipe, bear, otter, wolf, wild boar, red deer, roe deer, etc.

The beautiful nature, the diverse relief, the rich biodiversity and the cultural and historical heritage are a prerequisite for the development of various types of specialized tourism.