Планини и туризъм
CENTRAL BALKAN
This is one of three national parks in Bulgaria.There are many rare and endangered species for the country and Europe (wild goat, roe, red deer, Balkan Chamois, brown bear, wolf), plus more than 25 species of smaller mammals.
There are many holiday companies advertising bird watching and wildlife holidays as the variety of species here is enormous, Black stork, imperial eagle, long legged buzzard, sparrowhawk, woodpeckers, swifts, rock and blue rock thrushes, nutcracker, nuthatch, nightingale and many species of owl to name but a few. Many of these birds can be viewed in the gardens of rural properties.
National Park “Central Bulgaria” is part of the European network of protected territories PAN Parks.
In the region of Karlovo there is a network of well kept chalets with blazed paths to them. Tourist security is provided by the Mountain Control and Rescue service in Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofer and Mount Botev. More details on the hiking routes and the surrounding area can be found at the tourist information centre in Kalofer.
Useful Links:
Bgglobe
kalofer
Hubavets chalet:
2 hr 30 min walk from Karlovo. Three storey building with 60 beds, tourist kitchen, dining room and refreshment bar
Balkan Roses chalet:
Between Hubavets and Vassil Levsky chalets, 3 hr walk from Karlovo. 50 beds
Vassil Levsky chalet:
6 hour hike from Karlovo. 70 beds. Starting point of routes to Mt. Botev – 4 hours, to Dobrila chalet – 4 hours, to Pleven chalet – 5 hours, to Rai chalet – 4 hours 30 mins, to Tazha chalet via Mt Botev – 7 hours 30 mins
Ravnets chalet:
2 hour walk from Karlovo. 35 beds. It is on the shortest route from Karlovo to Mt Botev and Rai chalet
Nezabravka chalet:
It can be reached by the chair lift from Sopot. 40 beds. It is the starting point for the chalets on the Stara Planina ridge: Dobrila, Dermenka, Ambaritsa, Kozya Stena etc. European route E-3 passes through this area.
Rai chalet:
4 hours 30 mins walk from Kalofer. 120 beds.
Svezhen chalet:
1 hour walk from Svezhen village and 4 hours 30 mins from Kalofer train station. 50 beds. Close tourist sights are Bratan chalet – 3 hours, Kavakliika chalet – 6 hours.
