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The raw beauty of Iskar Gorge



How much power is needed to drill through a mountain. Stara Planina or the Balkan Mountain is part of the Alpide belt, which extends along the southern margin of Eurasia.. In its western part a river that has existed for thousands of years not only has managed to drill through the mountain but its work now offers tourists the incredible views of the Iskar Gorge. Few people know that the river existed before the mountain that gave the name to the whole Balkan Peninsula started to rise up. Petra Taleva told us more about the picturesque Iskar Gorge.

“The gorge is named after the Iskar River, which springs from the Rila Mountain. Iskar is actually the longest Bulgarian river with its 368 kilometres. It is also the only one that goes through Stara Planina and into the Danube River near the village of Gigen.”




The river has created incredible rock shapes like those near the village of Lakatnik or caves like the Temnata Dupka (The Dark Hole). There is a railway and a road that follow the route of the river across the mountain. Travellers on train are often fascinated by the incredible views that are revealed. Near the village of Lakatnik the river makes a swift turn. There the rocks reach more than 250 meters in height and are a favourite place for climbers



The municipal centre in the region is the town of Svoge, which is situated some 30 kilometres north from Sofia and is about 20 kilometres away from the Lakatnik Rocks. From the locals one can learn the legend about an area, known by the name of Latincite or (The Latins). The legend says that in the past crusaders were passing through the region but local girls were so beautiful that they stayed there and created families.

The region is also rich in historical and archaeological sites. To reach the Danube, Iskar goes north. Near the town of Mezdra the river has created interesting rock shapes, called Ritlite. These are flat and vertical rocks, 3-7 meters thick and up to 400 meters long. In the 19th century Austro-Hungarian naturalist and geographer Felix Kanitz wrote about the beauty of the Iskar Gorge, which also inspired great Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov.



If one gets off the train at the Eliseina station, they could start hiking towards the Cherepishki Monastery, where writers like Vazov and Aleko Konstantinov spent time. The 7 Thrones Monastery is also nearby. Despite how much you travel through the Iskar Gorge, you would always come back to this unique place, where something new awaits the tourists each time.

this is so beautiful reminds of home and he song the 40 shades of green

Than you Ashley I have been to this place some time a go and it was amazing just as it is in the pics show here.

We have done the train journey in both directions many times and many ways, but this is our firm favourite. One day I am determined to get off at one of the small stations and walk around. I have passed through stations like Thompson, Gara Lakatnik, Svoge and so on, but not come across the Eliseina station. Must check it out on my map.

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Here is another picture of this lovely place

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Nice one Gimp.
I have now discovered Elisenya: it is that very pretty village with the outstanding church St. Prorok's, which can be seen on the right as you travel from Sofia towards Pleven. None of the trains we have been on have ever stopped there, so I expect it's a local service from maybe Mezdra. Must have a look at the BDZ website and see if we can go there next year; there must be B&B's on offer in such a fantastic area for tourists?

Have a look here it might help? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]