VITOCHA NATIONAL PARK (ПАРК ПАРК ПРИРОДЕН)

National park since 1934, it is the oldest of the Balkans. Spread over nearly 27 000 ha, it covers 90% of the massif of the same name. Close to Sofia, accessible by public transport, it is the outdoor sports ground of the inhabitants of Sofia who come to practice hiking, skiing or mountaineering. This massif, which stretches 19 km long and 17 km wide, culminates at Černi vrǎh (Black Peak). It is home to the longest cave in the Balkans, Duhlataest, located in the village of Bosnek, left bank of the river Struma, explored for 15 km. But it is above all its great wealth of biodiversity that distinguishes the Vitocha Park, rich in rare natural species. The Bistrishko Branishte reserve of deciduous trees and high alpine meadows was declared a biosphere reserve in 1977 by UNESCO. The reserve of Torfeno Branishte, for its part, was created to preserve high altitude wetlands. The massif has a dozen peaks over 2,000 m in altitude. Its natural areas are accessible from the arrival of the chairlift of Dragalevsti. From the Aleko, Chtaslivetza (1,780 m) stations, one can go on numerous hikes, including the ascent of Černi vrǎh (2,290 m) in an hour's walk. Many hiking trails also crisscross the western slopes. The park's information office is located 1 km from the residential area of Dragalevtsi, near the monastery of the same name, from which many marked hiking routes start.