The best hiking routes in Парк природе Стара планина

Парк природе Стара планина is a vast, high-altitude landscape dominated by massive, rounded red sandstone ridges and expansive alpine pastures rather than sharp, jagged limestone peaks. Walking here means navigating a mix of open, grassy plateaus and deep, forested river gorges. The terrain is characterized by its scale, where long, steady climbs lead to wide ridges that feel more like rolling highlands than dramatic alpine needles. Water is a constant presence on the lower slopes, with numerous streams cutting through the red rock to create steep waterfalls, such as those found in the Dojkinci and Topli Do valleys.

Underfoot, the paths vary significantly depending on your elevation. Lower forest tracks consist of damp earth, loose shale, and slippery river stones, requiring careful stepping around stream crossings. As you ascend above the treeline, the ground transitions to thick mountain turf, gravelly ridges, and exposed sandstone slabs. The trail marking can be sparse on the highest ridges, where the open grassland offers little shelter and navigation relies on spotting stone cairns.

This park is best suited for walkers seeking long, physically demanding routes across open terrain rather than short, manicured loop trails. While the area around Babin Zub is more accessible and sees more visitors due to local infrastructure, the vast majority of the park remains quiet and rugged. There are no boardwalks or paved mountain paths here; instead, you will find old shepherd paths and forestry tracks that demand self-reliance and solid navigation skills.