By car through the reserve blue stones Bulgaria. Bulgaria, Sliven "Natural Park Blue Stones

(Natural Park "Blue Stones")

In Bulgarian - "Blue stones"

Location of the Blue Stones

The Blue Stones are located about 10 km northwest of Sliven. You can only get here by your own car or taxi.

Description of Blue Stones

Blue stones are rocks made of Persian and partly Lower Thracian porphyry quartz stone. The name of this natural phenomenon is associated with color effects that occur depending on the angle of the sun's rays illuminating them. The stones appear bright or light blue, violet-blue and even grey-black. The blue stones are a labyrinth of peaks, valleys, caves and sheer abysses. On an area of ​​7 hectares, you can see several interesting natural formations. The rock formation Halkata (a ring; the diameter of the hole is 8 meters) is the symbol of the city of Sliven. According to legend, in ancient times there was a sea here, and during a storm, ships were tied to a rock so that they would not sink. There are several caves in the park. It is believed that the water from the spring in the Kushbunar cave cures eye diseases.

On the territory of the park there is also the Kutelka nature reserve, where, on an area of ​​more than 700 hectares, massifs of moesian beech and other rare and protected plant species, listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria, grow. There are more than 384 species medicinal plants. Of the 50 species of orchids, more than half grow here. There are about 1600 species of butterflies in Bulgaria, of which 826 can be found in the Blue Stones park. predatory species birds: common vulture, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, eagle owl. The park is also famous for its valuable archaeological sites. The ruins of medieval fortresses and monasteries have been preserved.

Natural Park"Blue Stones" is located on a rocky massif, which rises above the city of Sliven in Bulgaria. The natural park at this place has been open since 1980 and covers an area of ​​11 hectares. The name of the park comes from the color of the rocks. The fact is that these rocks are the largest European deposit of quartz porphyte.

The Blue Stones Natural Park includes several interesting natural objects. For example, the rock phenomenon of Halkata is the Loop. The Kutelka nature reserve is located on the territory of the park. It was created in 1986 to protect the habitats of birds of prey and groves of mysian beech.

Many places in the Blue Stones park are associated with historical events in Sliven and Bulgaria in general. For example, the Haramiyata area is associated with the traditions of the haiduk units.

The park occupies a relatively small area, but the diversity of local biological species is impressive. More than a thousand higher and 97 varieties of lower plants grow in this territory, among them more than 70 species of rare, endemic and relict species.

The fauna of the park includes 244 species of vertebrates and more than a thousand species of invertebrates. It was in the area of ​​the city of Sliven that the first people in Bulgaria began to study butterflies. Most of The vertebrates living here are protected by law. 176 bird species have been recorded in the park. Of particular interest are birds of prey nesting in the rocks.

Within the territory of natural park there are more than 50 hiking trails. There are 18 routes for tourists of historical, cultural and entertainment orientation. local climate good for practice different types sports: speleology, rock climbing, cycling, paragliding, hang gliding, as well as winter sports.

Tourist routes are equipped with recreation areas and information boards. The asphalt road allows easy access to many areas and attractions of the park. And an open cable car takes tourists to the upper station in the Karandila area in 20 minutes.

In the northeast of Sliven there is an information center for tourists. Park "Blue Stones" is included in the list of national sites for tourists. On the territory of the park, hunting and chasing animals, destroying bird nests, and collecting eggs is strictly prohibited.

Of the two dozen natural parks in Bulgaria, there are those that can safely be called universal. And this is not only because they combine favorably all the features of the landscape, climate, animal and flora. Although this indicator Blue Stones Park totally coincides. It is located on the southern slopes of the Stara Planina Mountains, framed on all sides except the south by massive forests, and in the south is district center. The park was opened in the year of the Moscow Olympiad (1980), and since then it has been an object of interest for scientists, as well as ordinary tourists with various visiting purposes.

Road to Blue Stones lies through Sliven, where the Haiduk trail is located, from which the journey begins. The tourist center of the park is also located there. It presents numerous exhibitions, temporary and permanent exhibitions of flora and fauna, the history of the region, geological samples and much more. In the city, it makes sense to stock up on consumables for photographic equipment, and in the center - sign up for one of 18 different hiking routes along fifty pre-laid trails.

This is where it shows up uniqueness of the park. After all, here in the winter you can ski, in the summer you can go cycling over rough terrain and along the foothills, it is allowed to use cars here. Speleology, mountaineering, hang-gliding are developed. There are even balneological services provided on the path of health near Ablanovo, where you can treat eyesight and joint diseases. Now ask yourself: have you seen this, say, in the Maldives? That's it.

There are, perhaps, only mountain and lowland rivers here, and swamps and lakes occupy only 1.5% of the total territory of the park. Rocks capture another 3.4%, meadows a little less than 10%, but forests make up almost 80% of the park. Say that here just boils the life of plants and animals- to say nothing: 1153 species of invertebrates, 97 species of lower plants and 1027 higher, 176 species of birds. Most of the living world of the park is listed in the Red Book. From rare plants one can recall David's colchicum, Arabian winged grass, rock tulip, Pontic hazel grouse, etc. There are a lot of birds of prey that have found nesting places in the spurs of the mountains. It is especially curious that of all the invertebrates, only spiders and butterflies have been well studied, while other species can be a discovery for a stubborn naturalist. Actually, people of science do not leave here for years.

Where can you go with a car? Most likely, it makes sense to go to the tops of the mountains, where the Karandil area is located. But you have to get there already on the lift, which will take you to the place in 20 minutes. You can have a great rest in Karandil in summer. Surprisingly, even religious and historical tourism does not bypass the Blue Stones. The ruins of Roman catacombs, monasteries, roads up to the 5th century AD, built in last years the existence of the Roman Empire. There are 24 active monasteries in the park. 13-14 centuries, which today are known as Sliven Lesser Athos. Archaeological and religious artifacts attract a lot of local and visiting people here, and during breaks you can enjoy the nature of the park.

Generally speaking, there are not many places in Bulgaria where there would be such a concentration of recreational services, research activities and entertainment, so you should definitely plan a visit to the Blue Stones on your next trip to Bulgaria. The park one hundred percent will not let down even the wildest expectations . On the web you can find many photos of this park, taken by professional operators and amateurs.

Here it is our journey, which began as " just to see what is there, what kind of Sliven baths?” 130 km from us and then stretching for 3 days. There is always something to see in Bulgaria!

We went to explore the possibilities of other thermal springs in the vicinity of our place of residence, at the very end of October on the 26th-28th. And also Mr. Sliven and the nature reserve blue stones Naturally, they were included in the list of necessary visits. In Bulgaria, almost everything where water procedures are taken is called a “banya”. The bathroom in the apartment will also have a "bath" and a swimming pool with mineral water also bath. In Sliven, there was a "mineral bath" - that is, where they take medical procedures with mineral waters.
I agree with those who have previously visited the Sliven baths, but the Sliven baths did not seem to us either. When we found them appearance somehow did not inspire confidence. Buildings of some shaggy year of birth and it is not clear when they were repaired normally. I reasonably asked to see what kind of pool it was, they let me in, passing through the shower room, I really saw a complete semblance of public baths! And the “dark-haired” visitors actually washed themselves with soap and washcloths under hot streams. mineral water! Lost all desire! In general, we left there. But on the right (if you drive from Sliven) there is a new hotel with an outdoor pool, everyone says pretty well. But it was October and most of the hotels did not work anymore - it was not the season. But on the other hand, we found the ruins of the Roman baths on the territory, they were preserved no worse than the Sliven ones! .

We didn’t really like the city of Sliven either, some kind of no city, ordinary houses, plus or minus, well, nothing that would catch the eye. Standard average Bulgarian city.
But on the way, from the baths, near Sliven there is a wonderful winery!

They have a complex there and their own vineyards and sell wine and a restaurant and a hotel inside. In general, 3 in one bottle. Very cute place! We bought exclusive wine in Vinarn and went to the Blue Stones! We had to somehow compensate for the chagrin from the Sliven baths. !

Yes! on the right (if you go towards Sliven), not far from Vinarni, there is a good Rassadnik, which is not there from flowers to huge palm trees! I bought myself a pack.

Before blue stones the road is good, we arrived pleasantly. Myself natural park we liked it. Todor Zhivkov knew where to place his villas, one of them is here. Here it is what Zhivkov's residence is when viewed from the terrace of the Cable Car:

And the cable car complex is also very decent

Unfortunately, the cable car did NOT work for us, such as prevention.? Is it interesting for the Russians or what is such a nipruha?
We decided to make our way up the mountain. The end of October, however, they still walked downstairs in T-shirts, but climbing higher and higher into the mountains, the weather did not change better side, a fog appeared, at times completely blocking the road. Well, since our driver was the heroic Mik15, with his experience, he was certainly fine with this car “climbing” in the fog! But I was sitting on the right in the car and kept thinking: why are we driving like that, that the mountains are all on the left, and from my side there are only steep cliffs emerging from patches of continuous fog! I got a lot of impressions from this extreme!

We got to the upper complex. There was no one there but us. We wandered a little, but the further walk did not make sense,

Sinite Kamyni National Park located near Sofia. This is one of the smallest national parks in Bulgaria. It features incredible rock formations and landscapes and is home to hundreds of the most interesting species plants.

In addition, three species of European birds live here, which are threatened with extinction. These are the royal eagle, long-legged buzzard and peregrine falcon.

Golden Sands National Park was originally opened in 1943 and later expanded significantly in 1981.

Until now, it remains one of the oldest and at the same time the smallest of the national parks in Bulgaria.

It is located north of the city of Varna. The park is located at an altitude of only 277 meters above sea level, and therefore its flora is very different from other national parks in the country.

Visitors to the park have a wonderful opportunity to see deer, wild boars, hares, red squirrels, eagles, falcons, pheasants.

The archaeological and historical landmark of the park deserves special attention - in which wall paintings have been miraculously preserved.

Its history goes back to the 13th-14th century. Two levels of the monastery were dug into the limestone rocks.