Strandzha Nature Park

In addition to Cape Kaliakra on the Black Sea coast and the beautiful cities of Bulgaria, would you like to discover even more of the country’s wonderful nature? Then you should visit the diverse Strandzha Nature Park, which is known not only for its unique flora and fauna but also for its clear waters.

Strandzha Nature Park is located in the southeast of Bulgaria, near the Turkish border. The park is known as the largest protected area in Bulgaria and takes its visitors into a subtropical landscape with numerous rivers and rare animals. In this nature park, you will not only explore untouched nature but also encounter traditional villages. Embark on this adventure and follow the countless hiking trails!

Flora and Fauna

The nature park boasts a rich natural environment with a wide variety of plant species. On the Bulgarian side, you can discover over 1,660 species and 54 subspecies of higher ferns, horsetails, and seed plants. So don’t forget to bring a magnifying glass and download a plant identification app in advance.

Flora

It is particularly interesting that around 100 species of moss have been found in Strandzha Nature Park so far. These include species classified as rare or endangered, as well as one species that is now on the Red List. The nature park is therefore a true wonder of nature that is home to rare species and should be treated with respect. This also means: do not simply pick plants—take photos instead and identify them using your app.

Another highlight is the incredibly diverse occurrence of fungi. So far, more than 100 species have been discovered, most of which are among Europe’s rare species. Just like the plants, the nature park is also home to fungi listed on Bulgaria’s Red List, as well as species classified as threatened or endangered. In addition, around 14 mushroom species are edible, which you may discover on your exploration tour—but you are not allowed to take them with you.

Fauna

However, it is not only the plant world that is impressively diverse, but also the animal life of Strandzha Nature Park. So far, 164 invertebrate species have been identified, which play a central role in nature conservation. Among them are 34 relict species. The term relict species refers to species that originate from an earlier climatic period (e.g., the Ice Age) and were once widespread but today occur only in isolated areas. Among the invertebrates, there are also species listed globally on the Red List, making their protection even more important.

But the park is known not only for its invertebrate inhabitants, but also for its vertebrates. Not without reason is Strandzha Nature Park considered the Bulgarian protected area with the richest vertebrate fauna, with a total of 404 species. You can discover 41 species of freshwater and migratory fish, as well as 70 species in the coastal waters. Here, too, the number of relict species is high. In addition to the various fish species, there are 10 amphibian species in this area, including the European tree frog, which is threatened with extinction worldwide. Besides amphibians, you can also find a variety of reptiles (24 species) and a large number of bird species (269 species). With some luck, you may spot the globally threatened corncrake or the white-backed woodpecker. However, it is not only the park’s resident bird species that can be seen in the sky, but also migratory birds. Strandzha Nature Park lies within Europe’s second-largest migratory bird route, where you can observe huge flocks of white storks (up to 40,000 per day), as well as pelicans, honey buzzards, common buzzards, and lesser spotted eagles. Many rivers and bays also serve as wintering grounds for numerous bird species.

In addition to invertebrates, vertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and migratory birds, 66 mammal species live within the boundaries of the nature park. Former inhabitants such as the bear or the lynx unfortunately no longer exist in this protected area. However, you can still encounter bats, small mammals, and large mammals such as red deer, wolves, or foxes. A particular highlight is the otter and wildcat populations, as well as rare species of ground squirrels and the Peregus souslik (ground squirrel).

Waters

In addition to its unique flora and fauna, Strandzha Nature Park is also known for its streams, gorges, and rivers that run through the diverse landscape and make it truly unique. Veleka and Rezovska are the largest rivers in the Bulgarian part of the nature park and enhance the green landscape with their distinctive appearance.

Veleka

The Veleka River rises at the Demirkapu peak in Turkey and is the largest and longest river in the nature park. It runs through gorges and forms tributaries with currents and rapids. The river can be reached from the villages of Kovach, Petrova Niva, and Stoilov. However, the riverbanks are very steep and surrounded by rocks. Yet the river does not only have a wild side—it eventually flows into a wide and calm river valley.

Rezovska

The Rezovska River rises in the highest part of Strandzha, also in Turkey. Just like in the Cape Kaliakra Reserve, there are also legends in this nature park. One of them is the legend of the Rezovska River. It is said that the river owes its name to the Thracian king Rhesus. In addition, this river has not yet been fully explored and is therefore not very well known. The river is surrounded by dense oak and oriental beech forests, creating a habitat for rare and protected species.

Natural Monuments

Natural monuments are natural features that enjoy special protection due to their rarity, uniqueness, beauty, or scientific, natural-historical, cultural-historical, or regional significance. In Strandzha Nature Park, you can discover various natural monuments. You should definitely visit the Bratanova Cave, which is considered the largest cave in the Bulgarian part of the park. It is located 9 km from the town of Malko Tarnovo and lies in the area of the three gorges. The cave has only been partially explored to this day, but remains from the Late Bronze Age, Late Antiquity, and the Middle Ages have already been discovered. Please note, however, that part of the cave lies beyond the park’s border, meaning you will need special permits for access and must be accompanied by border police.

In addition to Bratanova Cave, the Maharata Cave is also one of the natural monuments. The cave is located in an oak forest and is likewise surrounded by a legend. It is believed that there is a hard-to-access passage that runs beneath the mystical Rezovska River and provides a route into Turkey. Another natural monument shaped by legends is the Helen’s Hole Natural Monument. It is located in the village of Voda and was designated a natural monument in 1981. According to legend, during a village dance, a strong whirlwind appeared and abducted one of the girls. Time passed, and later the girl’s braids were found near the cave entrance. The villagers concluded that this meant the girl had been taken by a dragon living there.

Another interesting natural monument is Kamenska Barchina, which today is often simply referred to as “Stone.” This monument is protected because of its unique rock formations and is associated with an ancient Thracian sanctuary.

The Juniperus Communis Natural Monument is the only habitat of a specific conifer species within the nature park. Particularly interesting are the bluish-black cones and the gray-white stripes on the tips of the needles. This forest is therefore a very fascinating place, especially for botanists. The natural monument Nakovo Kladenche is also protected, as it serves as the habitat of the Balkan spur-thighed tortoise.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of fun on your exploration tour of Strandzha Nature Park. Don’t forget to inform yourself about the country’s toll regulations. You can find more information about tolls in Bulgaria in our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to plan your trip more effectively and to have the corresponding toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are happy to assist you. Contact us via email.