VITOCHA NATIONAL PARK (ПАРК ПАРК ПРИРОДЕН)

A national park since 1934, it is the oldest in the Balkans. Covering almost 27,000 ha, it encompasses 90% of the massif of the same name. Close to Sofia and accessible by public transport, it is the outdoor sports ground of Sofia's inhabitants, who come here to enjoy hiking, skiing and mountaineering. Stretching 19 km long and 17 km wide, the massif culminates at Černi vrǎh (Black Peak). It is home to the longest cave in the Balkans, Duhlata, located in the village of Bosnek, on the left bank of the Struma River, explored over 15 km. But it's above all its rich biodiversity that sets Vitosha Park apart, with its wealth of rare natural species. The Bistrishko Branishte reserve of deciduous trees and high-altitude alpine meadows was declared a biosphere reserve by Unesco in 1977. The Torfeno Branishte reserve was created to preserve high-altitude wetlands. The massif boasts a dozen peaks over 2,000 m in altitude. Its natural areas are accessible from the Dragalevsti chairlift. From the Aleko station, Chtaslivetza (1,780 m), there are numerous hiking trails, including the one-hour ascent of Černi vrǎh (2,290 m). Numerous hiking trails also criss-cross the western slopes. The park's information office is located 1 km from the residential area of Dragalevtsi, near the monastery of the same name, from where many signposted hiking trails start.