Travel to Sliven or “Blue Peaks of Karandila. Park blue stones Sliven cable car

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Blue stones is a name that has an emblematic meaning for the city of Sliven. This is the name of the rock massif towering directly above the city.
The blue color is essentially absent from stones and the rock mass in general. Blueness appears in the presence of atmospheric conditions characteristic of this region of the country, most often in the evening. A prosaic explanation for this fact can be found in the geological composition of the rocks - this is one of the largest deposits of quartz porphyry in Europe. The name "Sinite Kamyn" was given to the natural park created in 1980. Today, the Sinite Kamani Natural Park covers an area of ​​11,380.8 hectares and has become part of the country’s system of protected areas. Part of the park's territory - the areas of Grebenets and Stidovo - are included in the wide migratory front of birds Via Pontica. In the natural park “Sinite Kameni” there are six interesting natural objects : Khalkata (Loop) is one of the most famous - it is a rock phenomenon that has become a favorite destination for tourists due to its proximity to the city. Within the Borders natural park
“Sinite Kameni” is also home to the Kutelka Nature Reserve, an area of ​​708 hectares, created in 1986 with the aim of preserving groves of Mosian beech (Fagus silvatica ssp. moesiaca) and rocky habitats of many birds of prey. Despite its small territory, the Sinite Kamani Nature Park demonstrates the presence of great biological diversity. 97 species of lower plants grow here, including 43 species of freshwater algae and 54 species of lichen. Higher plants
The fauna in the Sinite Kamani Natural Park is represented by 244 species of vertebrates and 1153 species of invertebrates. Among invertebrates, 5 groups are best studied, mainly butterflies and spiders. The first data for the first study of butterflies in Bulgaria (published in 1835-1837) was collected in the Sliven region, and at the end of the 19th century the country’s first entomological society “Svetulka” (Firefly) was founded here. As for vertebrate animals, 78% of them are subject to protection under the Law “On biological diversity", and in world list Protected animals include 23 of the local species. 176 species of birds are found in the park, of which 149 are protected species. Of exceptional interest are birds of prey, for which the rocky massifs in the park offer favorable conditions for nesting. Natural Park Sinite Kamani is one of four areas in the country included in a large-scale restoration project for the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Bulgaria.
Many places in the natural park are connected with the historical past of Sliven, and also of Bulgaria - the area of ​​Haramiyata (Rebel) has a direct connection with the traditions of the Haiduk detachments. The peak of Bulgarka (Bulgarka) is the highest in the eastern part of the Balkan Mountains (1181 m above sea level), and not far from it is the Daulite area with a 300 m long ski slope, offering excellent opportunities for winter holidays. In the area of ​​Ablanovo, 6 km from the city, there is one of the first forest nurseries in the country, created in 1898.
The asphalt road makes it easy to climb the mountains - you can quickly reach most of the listed areas by car. An open cable car takes tourists to the high part of the mountains in about 20 minutes - the top station is located in the Karandila area, a popular summer holiday destination among residents of this area of ​​the country.
On the territory of the Sinite Kamani Natural Park, more than 50 trails have been laid, which have become the basis for 18 tourist routes of different thematic areas - biological, historical, entertainment. Natural conditions they allow you to exercise in the park different types sports: mountaineering and caving, cycling and motoring, delta and paragliding, winter sports and hiking in the mountains. The staff of the natural park creates and cares for recreational areas, takes care of marking routes, installing signs and boards with information about tourist routes, natural attractions in a natural park, about the rules of nature conservation. A well-organized and extensive network of tourist paths and alleys creates excellent conditions for mass tourism, especially in summer period. The Directorate of the Natural Park has created two thematic trails - ecological trail in the area of ​​Mollova koriya and a health trail in the area of ​​Ablanovo, especially popular among people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and vision.
At the very foot of the mountains, in the north-eastern part of the city of Sliven and at the beginning of the Haiduk trail, famous among the city residents, there is the Information and Tourist Center of the Sinite Kamani Natural Park. The permanent exhibition introduces visitors visually to the most characteristic examples of nature, animals and flora in the park: here you can see collections of rocks, mosses and lichens, herbariums, and insects. In the photographs you can see the diversity of flora and fauna in this territory, natural attractions and the most popular recreation areas in the park. The Sinite Kamani Natural Park is included in the list of one hundred national tourist sites.
Employees of the Park Directorate provide the necessary information to tourists and guests of Sliven and at the Tourist Information Bureau in the city center.
Hunting and pursuit of animals, collection and destruction of eggs, and destruction of bird nests are prohibited in the park.

Of the two dozen natural parks in Bulgaria, there are some that can safely be called universal. And this is not only because they advantageously combine all the features of the landscape, climate, flora and fauna. Although this indicator Blue Stones Park totally coincides. It is located on the southern slopes of the Stara Planina mountains, surrounded on all sides except the south by massive forests, and in the south is the regional center. The park was opened in the year of the Moscow Olympics (1980), and since then it has been the object of interest of 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 park's tourist center is also located there. It features numerous exhibitions, temporary and permanent displays of flora and fauna, history of the region, geological samples and much more. In the city, it makes sense to stock up on supplies for photographic equipment, and in the center, sign up for one of 18 different walking routes along fifty pre-designated trails.

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

There are, perhaps, only mountain and lowland rivers, and swamps and lakes occupy only 1.5% of the total territory of the park. Rocks occupy another 3.4%, meadows a little less than 10%, but forests account for almost 80% of the park. Say that Here the life of plants and animals is simply in full swing- to say nothing: 1153 species of invertebrates, 97 species of lower plants and 1027 higher ones, 176 species of birds. Most of of the entire living world of the park is listed in the Red Book. From rare plants one can recall David's colchicum, Arabian wingweed, 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 become a discovery for a persistent natural discoverer. Actually, people of science have not left here for years.

Where can you go if you have a car? Most likely, it makes sense to go to the tops of the mountains where the Karandil area is located. But you will have to get there on a lift, which will take you to the place in 20 minutes. In Karandil you can have a great rest in summer. Surprisingly, even religious and historical tourism does not bypass the Blue Stones. Here are preserved ruins of Roman catacombs, monasteries, roads up to the 5th century AD, built in last years existence of the Roman Empire. There are 24 active monasteries in the park 13th-14th centuries, which today is known as Sliven Small 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 is such a concentration of services for recreation, research and entertainment, so you should definitely plan a visit to Blue Stones on your next trip to Bulgaria. The park will one hundred percent not let down even the wildest expectations . On the Internet you can find many photographs of this park, taken by professional operators and amateurs.

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

It is also home to three endangered species of European birds. These are the royal eagle, the buzzard and the peregrine falcon.

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

To this day 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, and pheasants.

Special attention The park deserves an archaeological and historical attraction, in which the wall paintings are wonderfully preserved.

Its history dates back to the 13th - 14th centuries. The two levels of the monastery were dug into the limestone rocks.

(Nature Park "Blue Stones")

In Bulgarian - "Sinite stones"

Location of Blue Stones

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 quartz-porphyry stone. The name of this natural phenomenon

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 gray-black. The Blue Stones are a labyrinth of peaks, valleys, caves and sheer precipices. On an area of ​​7 hectares you can see several interesting natural formations. The Khalkata rock formation (ring; hole diameter - 8 meters) is a 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.. Of the 50 species of orchids, more than half grow here. There are about 1,600 species of butterflies in Bulgaria, of which 826 can be found in the Blue Stones Park. The park is inhabited by 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.