Strandzha Nature Park

Would you like to discover even more of the wonderful nature of Bulgaria, in addition to Cape Kaliakra on the Black Sea coast and the beautiful cities? Then you should visit the diverse Strandzha Nature Park, which is not only known 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 nature park is known as Bulgaria's largest protected area and takes visitors into a subtropical vegetation with numerous rivers and rare animals. In this nature park, you will not only explore untouched nature but also encounter traditional villages. Embrace this adventure and follow the countless hiking trails!

Flora and Fauna

The nature park has a rich natural environment with a wide variety of different 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 moss species have been found so far in Strandzha Nature Park. These include species classified as rare or endangered, as well as one species now on the Red List. The nature park is thus a true wonder of nature, home to rare species, and should therefore be treated with respect. This also means: don't simply pick plants, but rather take photos and let the app identify them.

Another highlight is the incredibly diverse presence of fungi. Over 100 species have been discovered so far, most of which are among Europe's rare species. Just like with the plants, the nature park is also home to fungi on Bulgaria's Red List as well as species classified as threatened or endangered. In addition, around 14 fungi species are edible, which you can discover on your exploration tour but cannot take with you.

Fauna

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

But the nature park is known not only for its invertebrate inhabitants, but also for its vertebrates. It is not without reason that Strandzha Nature Park is considered Bulgaria's protected area with the richest vertebrate fauna, with a total of 404 species. Among others, 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. These include the European tree frog, which is critically endangered worldwide. In addition to the amphibians, you can also find a large number of reptiles (24 species) and a great number of bird species (269 bird species). You might be lucky and spot the globally endangered corncrake or the white-backed woodpecker. But it is not only the bird species of the protected area that you can spot in the sky, but also migratory birds. Strandzha Nature Park is located on Europe's second-largest migratory bird route, so you can also see huge flocks of white storks (up to 40,000 a day) as well as pelicans, honey buzzards, common buzzards and lesser spotted eagles there. Many of the rivers and bays also serve as wintering grounds for many bird species.

In addition to the invertebrates, vertebrates, amphibian and reptile species, and migratory birds, there are 66 mammal species within the boundaries of the nature park. Former inhabitants such as the bear or the lynx unfortunately no longer exist in this nature reserve. However, you can still discover bats, small mammals and large mammals such as red deer, wolves or foxes. A special highlight is the otter and wildcat populations as well as rare species such as the European ground squirrel and the marbled polecat.

Waters

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

Veleka

The Veleka River originates at the Demirkapu peak in Turkey and is the largest and longest river in the nature park. The river winds through gorges, forming tributaries with currents and rapids. The river can be reached from the villages of Kovach, Petrova Niva and Stoilovo. However, the bank is very steep and lined with rocks. But the river doesn't only have a wild side – it subsequently flows into a wide and calm river valley.

Rezovska

The Rezovska River originates in the highest part of Strandzha, also in Turkey. Just as 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. Moreover, this river has not yet been fully explored and is therefore not as well known. The river is lined with dense oak and oriental beech forests, forming a habitat for rare and protected species.

Natural Monuments

Natural monuments are natural phenomena that enjoy special protection due to their rarity, uniqueness, beauty, or scientific, natural history, cultural history 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 nature park. It is located 9 km from the town of Malko Tarnovo, in the area of the three gorges. The cave has so far only been partially explored, 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 border of the nature park, so you need various permits for access and must be accompanied by the border police.

In addition to the 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 legend. It is believed that there is a hard-to-reach passage leading under the mystical Rezovska River, allowing a path into Turkey. Another natural monument shaped by legends is the Helensloch Natural Monument. It is located in the village of Voda and was classified as a natural monument back in 1981. Legend has it that while the girls of the village were dancing, a powerful whirlwind appeared and carried off one of the girls. Time passed, and some time later the girl's braids were found near the cave entrance. The residents concluded that the find meant the girl had been abducted by a dragon living there.

Another interesting natural monument is Kamenska Barchina, which today is also often referred to as "the stone." This monument is protected because of its unique rock formations. It is connected to the ancient Thracian sanctuary.

The Juniperus Communis Natural Monument is the only habitat of a particular coniferous species in the nature park. Particularly interesting are the bluish-black cones and the grey-white stripes at the tips of the needles. This makes the forest a very interesting place, especially for botanists. The Nakovo Kladenche Natural Monument is likewise protected, as it forms the habitat of the Balkan terrapin.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a wonderful trip to Bulgaria and lots of fun on your exploration tour of Strandzha Nature Park. Don't forget to find out about the country's toll regulations. You can find more information on tolls in Bulgaria in our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to better plan your trip and see the toll products associated with it. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us via email.