Natural Park “Vitosha” and the Vitosha Mountain

Vitosha is the first park in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula. It was declared a national park on 27 October 1934. Nowadays, its territory is 27,079 ha. Two reservations are situated on its territory (biosphere reservation “Bistrishko Branishte” (Bistritsa Forest Reserve) and“Torfeno Branishte” (Turf Forest), as well as one natural landmark (the Duhlata Cave).
The “Bistrishko Branishte” reservation is situated on the north-eastern slope of Vitosha, below the Golyam Rezen peak (2,277 m) and Skoparnik peak (2,226 m). It was established to preserve a section of a broad-leaved forest and the alpine grass vegetation located above it. Its borders have changed a number of times. At the present moment, the reservation territory is 1,061.60 ha. In 1977 UNESCO declared the Bistrishko Branishte a biosphere reservation.
The “Torfeno Branishte” reservation was established to preserve 144.1 ha turf lands and abundant marshland vegetation in the alpine section of Vitosha.
The longest cave in Bulgaria called Duhlata is situated in the locality of the village of Bosnek, on the left bank of the Struma river. Its length is over 18 km, and about 15 km of these have been researched.
The Dragalevski Monastery “St. Mary of Vitosha” (the 14th century) and the Kladnishki Monastery “St. Nikolas Mirliyski the Miracle Maker” (built in the 19th century on old foundations) are situated on the territory of the park. The Boyana Church “St. Nikolas and St. Panteleymon” (the 10th century) is situated on the park border and is included in the UNESCO List of Global Cultural Inheritance.
The vegetation of Vitosha Natural Park is extremely rich and diverse. About 500 species of freshwater algae, 805 mushroom species, more than 360 lichen and moss species, 1,489 higher plant species have been recognized.
The mountain is characterized by rich and diverse spineless fauna. 148 endemic species (Bulgarian and Balkan), 300 rare species and 85 relic spineless species can be seen here.
In the middle and upper currents of the rivers, the basic species of the river include (Balkan) trout (Salmo trutta fario). 22 species of amphibians and reptiles have also been found in the park.
During the seasons, one can observe approximately 200 bird species on Vitosha, as about 120 of them are nesting birds. One of the most typical inhabitants of the spruce forests is Nucifraga caryocatactes. Here you can see Regulus regulus, Parus ater, Loxia curvirostra, Carduelis spinus, Falco tinnunculus, Buteo buteo, Buteo rufinus, Strix aluco, Asio otus, Athene noctua, Aegolius funereus, etc.
The most wide-spread small mammals are: Neomys fodiens, Neomys anomalus, Crocidura leucodon, Muscardinus avellanarius, Dryomys nitedula, etc.
By now, 13 bat species have been discovered here, as they are mostly seen in the caves of the Bosneshki karst region. All bat species are protected by the Biological Diversity Act.
Royal stag (Cervus elaphus), deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), bear (Ursus arctos) and wolf (Canis lupus) are some of the larger mammals which can still be found in the calm places of the mountain.
The stone rivers (also known as moraines) and the screes are typical for the Vitosha Park. The stone river in the locality of The Golden Bridges (1,390 meters altitude) is impressive. There are many tourist paths in this part of the mountain: leading to the Kopitoto peak, “Momina Skala” hut and “Septemvri” hut. The Golden Bridges is one of the most often used starting points for Cherni Vrah peak.
Ten of the Vitosha peaks are situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, as the highest of them is Cherni Vrah (2,290 meters). It rises in the central part of the mountain.
Struma River springs from Vitosha. This is the longest river in southwest Bulgaria.
Vitosha is a preferred place of resting for many residents of the capital. The Arboretum established in 1952 is situated in the localities of Balabanovets and Kiselishte. It occupies an area of 1,400 dca with an average altitude of 1,175 meters and presents an exposition of over 350 species of Bulgarian and foreign trees and bushes. The constructed walking alleys, alcoves, fountains, tables, deck-chairs, and the two lakes create conditions for complete relaxation. A botanical alley for blind people was constructed in the locality of the Arboretum in 2000. Its length is 610 meters, there are 26 vegetation species there, and descriptions in Braille letters are provided for each of them.
A sports and information alley for people with disabilities of the locomotory system is constructed in the Arboretum. It is 285 meters long and 2 meters wide. A children’s informational and entertainment center is constructed in the Arboretum. It is situated on an area of 20 dca, with 3 platforms and multiple game installations. The Bear Museum is also situated nearby. It was built at the place of a demolished substation.
Tourists can learn more about the turf lands and marshlands on the Turf Information Alley in the locality of Ofelias. The Museum of Owls and the Museum of Dragonfly are situated in the locality of Belite Brezi, 1.5 south from the Arboretum, right of the road leading to the locality of the Golden Bridges.
The Nature Protection Information Center “Vitosha” is the first one of the range of informational and educational centers on the protected territories in Bulgaria. It is situated at a distance of about 1 km from the Dragalevtsi residential area, in close proximity to the Dragalevski Monastery. The center offers a permanent exposition, tourist information, a rich video collection, an observation tower, a base for conducting green schools, education practicums, an exhibition area, a library, etc.
The National Park Information Center is situated in Sofia, on Vazrazhdane Square, 17 Antim I Str. It provides information about the protected territories in Bulgaria and the world. Tourist cards and specialized issues dedicated to the diversity of plant and animal species in the Bulgarian parks can be bought there.
The Vitosha mountain is also a popular destination for the admirers of winter sports. Being in close proximity to the capital, it is very convenient for residents or guests of Sofia to visit. There are two ski centers in the mountain– Aleko and Konyarnika. Aleko is situated at an altitude of 1,800 meters, its tracks are north, and conditions for night skiing are available. The Konyarnika is situated at an altitude of 1,507 meters. The total length of the tracks on the mountain is 29 km, as the longest of them is 5 km long, and the maximum displacement is 780 meters. The tracks are suitable for advanced, as well as for beginner skiers. The required installations are available on all ski tracks: a number of seat lifts, one cabin lift, starting from the outskirts of Vitosha and almost reaching the mountain top.

Vitosha is the first park in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula. It was declared a national park on 27 October 1934. Nowadays, its territory is 27,079 ha. Two reservations are situated on its territory (biosphere reservation “Bistrishko Branishte” (Bistritsa Forest Reserve) and“Torfeno Branishte” (Turf Forest), as well as one natural landmark (the Duhlata Cave).
The “Bistrishko Branishte” reservation is situated on the north-eastern slope of Vitosha, below the Golyam Rezen peak (2,277 m) and Skoparnik peak (2,226 m). It was established to preserve a section of a broad-leaved forest and the alpine grass vegetation located above it. Its borders have changed a number of times. At the present moment, the reservation territory is 1,061.60 ha. In 1977 UNESCO declared the Bistrishko Branishte a biosphere reservation.
The “Torfeno Branishte” reservation was established to preserve 144.1 ha turf lands and abundant marshland vegetation in the alpine section of Vitosha.
The longest cave in Bulgaria called Duhlata is situated in the locality of the village of Bosnek, on the left bank of the Struma river. Its length is over 18 km, and about 15 km of these have been researched.
The Dragalevski Monastery “St. Mary of Vitosha” (the 14th century) and the Kladnishki Monastery “St. Nikolas Mirliyski the Miracle Maker” (built in the 19th century on old foundations) are situated on the territory of the park. The Boyana Church “St. Nikolas and St. Panteleymon” (the 10th century) is situated on the park border and is included in the UNESCO List of Global Cultural Inheritance.
The vegetation of Vitosha Natural Park is extremely rich and diverse. About 500 species of freshwater algae, 805 mushroom species, more than 360 lichen and moss species, 1,489 higher plant species have been recognized.
The mountain is characterized by rich and diverse spineless fauna. 148 endemic species (Bulgarian and Balkan), 300 rare species and 85 relic spineless species can be seen here.
In the middle and upper currents of the rivers, the basic species of the river include (Balkan) trout (Salmo trutta fario). 22 species of amphibians and reptiles have also been found in the park.
During the seasons, one can observe approximately 200 bird species on Vitosha, as about 120 of them are nesting birds. One of the most typical inhabitants of the spruce forests is Nucifraga caryocatactes. Here you can see Regulus regulus, Parus ater, Loxia curvirostra, Carduelis spinus, Falco tinnunculus, Buteo buteo, Buteo rufinus, Strix aluco, Asio otus, Athene noctua, Aegolius funereus, etc.
The most wide-spread small mammals are: Neomys fodiens, Neomys anomalus, Crocidura leucodon, Muscardinus avellanarius, Dryomys nitedula, etc.
By now, 13 bat species have been discovered here, as they are mostly seen in the caves of the Bosneshki karst region. All bat species are protected by the Biological Diversity Act.
Royal stag (Cervus elaphus), deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), bear (Ursus arctos) and wolf (Canis lupus) are some of the larger mammals which can still be found in the calm places of the mountain.
The stone rivers (also known as moraines) and the screes are typical for the Vitosha Park. The stone river in the locality of The Golden Bridges (1,390 meters altitude) is impressive. There are many tourist paths in this part of the mountain: leading to the Kopitoto peak, “Momina Skala” hut and “Septemvri” hut. The Golden Bridges is one of the most often used starting points for Cherni Vrah peak.
Ten of the Vitosha peaks are situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, as the highest of them is Cherni Vrah (2,290 meters). It rises in the central part of the mountain.
Struma River springs from Vitosha. This is the longest river in southwest Bulgaria.
Vitosha is a preferred place of resting for many residents of the capital. The Arboretum established in 1952 is situated in the localities of Balabanovets and Kiselishte. It occupies an area of 1,400 dca with an average altitude of 1,175 meters and presents an exposition of over 350 species of Bulgarian and foreign trees and bushes. The constructed walking alleys, alcoves, fountains, tables, deck-chairs, and the two lakes create conditions for complete relaxation. A botanical alley for blind people was constructed in the locality of the Arboretum in 2000. Its length is 610 meters, there are 26 vegetation species there, and descriptions in Braille letters are provided for each of them.
A sports and information alley for people with disabilities of the locomotory system is constructed in the Arboretum. It is 285 meters long and 2 meters wide. A children’s informational and entertainment center is constructed in the Arboretum. It is situated on an area of 20 dca, with 3 platforms and multiple game installations. The Bear Museum is also situated nearby. It was built at the place of a demolished substation.
Tourists can learn more about the turf lands and marshlands on the Turf Information Alley in the locality of Ofelias. The Museum of Owls and the Museum of Dragonfly are situated in the locality of Belite Brezi, 1.5 south from the Arboretum, right of the road leading to the locality of the Golden Bridges.
The Nature Protection Information Center “Vitosha” is the first one of the range of informational and educational centers on the protected territories in Bulgaria. It is situated at a distance of about 1 km from the Dragalevtsi residential area, in close proximity to the Dragalevski Monastery. The center offers a permanent exposition, tourist information, a rich video collection, an observation tower, a base for conducting green schools, education practicums, an exhibition area, a library, etc.
The National Park Information Center is situated in Sofia, on Vazrazhdane Square, 17 Antim I Str. It provides information about the protected territories in Bulgaria and the world. Tourist cards and specialized issues dedicated to the diversity of plant and animal species in the Bulgarian parks can be bought there.
The Vitosha mountain is also a popular destination for the admirers of winter sports. Being in close proximity to the capital, it is very convenient for residents or guests of Sofia to visit. There are two ski centers in the mountain– Aleko and Konyarnika. Aleko is situated at an altitude of 1,800 meters, its tracks are north, and conditions for night skiing are available. The Konyarnika is situated at an altitude of 1,507 meters. The total length of the tracks on the mountain is 29 km, as the longest of them is 5 km long, and the maximum displacement is 780 meters. The tracks are suitable for advanced, as well as for beginner skiers. The required installations are available on all ski tracks: a number of seat lifts, one cabin lift, starting from the outskirts of Vitosha and almost reaching the mountain top.

You can reach the “Golden Bridges” by:
– buses No 61 and No 261 from Ovcha Kupel residential section;
– by a hiking path from Knyazhevo residential section (2 hours and 30 min.);
– from Vladaya residential section to the valley of Vladayska river (1 hour and 30 min.);
– from Boyana residential section by the automobile road (12 km)

You can reach the Arboretum by motor vehicle, bus or on foot. It is situated it a distance of 7 km from Boyana, along the road for the Golden Bridges. The bus stop of bus No 61 is situated in front of its entrance. It starts from the bus station of Ovcha Kupel residential section. You can also go on foot for 1 hour from Knyazhevo along the tourist path Knyazhevo – Golden Bridges. Along the same path, you can go from the Golden Bridges to the Arboretum in about 40 minutes.

You can reach the Environmental Protection Information Center by motor vehicle. The distance from the square of Dragalevtsi residential section to the center (along the road for Aleko Hut) is 2 km. A starting point for the hiking tourists is the center of Dragalevtsi, where the Gen. Kovachev Street starts from the square. A sharp turn to the left is reached after five minutes of walking, then the road shall be on the left and you should continue along the street which crosses the old automobile road. Then you should get on the road for Aleko hut (lower station of the passenger rope line and the Dragalevtsi monastery), where indicative board signs for the information center are present. The passage from the square of Dragalevtsi residential section to the information center can be crossed in about 30 minutes.

Tourist Information Center – Sofia

Monday – Friday: 9:30 – 18:00

Sofia City, the underpass of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Tel.: +359 2 4918344
Tel.: +359 2 4918345
E-mail: tourist@info-sofia.bg

Tourist Information Center – Largo

Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 18:00

Metrostation Serdica 2

Tel.: +359 2 49 49 315
E-mail: largo@info-sofia.bg

Info Point Chitalnyata (The reading room)

Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00

In the city garden

Tel.: +359 885 921 620
E-mail: chitalnyata@gmail.com

Website: https://www.visitsofia.bg/en/

Environmental Protection Information Center “Vitosha”
(at the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters, Sofia)
April – October
9.00 am – 5.30 pm
November – March
9.00 am – 4.30 pm

Directorate of the Natural Park Vitosha
1303 Sofia City, Vazrazhdane residential section,
Tel: +359 2 988 58 41
Tel: +359 2 989 53 77
Е-mail: dppvitosha@dag.bg
Website: www.park-vitosha.org

17 Antim I Str.Environmental Protection Information Center “Vitosha”
1 km from Dragalevtsi residential section
Tel: +359 2 9554152
Tel: +359 882 408442
Е-mail: riew-sofia@riew-sofia.government.bg
Website: www.riew-sofia.org

Virtual map