Меню
Туристически маршрути
ROUTE 5
Winter trail:
Smilyan village – Ravnishte peak – Kraipatna cave – Smilyan village. Total length: 6.6 km
The trail starts and finishes in the village of Smilyan. To reach the starting point of the trail, from the Visitors Infomation center take the road to the village of Sivino. There is a sign–board 400 m before the road fork to Sivino. The trail follows old forest path – to the south of the village, and after 1.8 km you reach “Ravnishta” area. Even in winter the forest attracts with the contrasting colors of its evergreen pine trees against the blinding whiteness of the snow, and the silence is broken only by crack of falling cones from jumping squirrel among trees branches. While you are going up the hill you may try to identify the trails left by different animals in the snow. Reaching “Kulata” peak you should go up to the specially erected observation platform. The winter panorama is amazing – you see the Valley of Arda River and the Rhodopean peaks covered with snow. If you are lucky, with the help of the special optical equipment, provided by your guide, you may have the chance to see wild animals – a deer, a wood-grouse, a boar or a hare, attracted by the located in proximity winter nutrition stand for wild animals.
From the observation platform the trail goes down along the north ridges of the mountain. It reaches “Lessa” area, where the compound forest ends and the trail cuts through the meadows at the riverside. Cross the river by the rope bridge and turn right to take the main road. Go along the road about 500 m and you will see a sign on your left – “Kraipatna” cave.
The cave is 38 m long and 1.91 m high. The cave is inhabited by bats and walking inside it could be tricky due to guano and the wet clay that make the floor slippery floor. In 2005 zoologists found unknown insect specie – that’s why access in the cave is limited and is allowed only if tourists are led by guides-speleologists.
Fauna: The fauna in the cave is still in a process of study. In comparison with other caves in the area here the fauna is very rich. This is a place where Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Rhinolophus hipposideros live. In autumn it is a swarming site for the bats in the region. (It is very important for the bats to fly in a group. While they are flying they make a social communication – like playing games or giving out sounds. This behavior is important for the bat especially during their generative period and before the migration – this process is called swarming and the place – swarming place). The beetles called Gueorguiella petrovi live in the cave too.
From Kraipatna cave, go back to the road and take to the west, and after a while you will be in the village of Smilyan. Visiting the Ethnographic exposition “Smilyan Kidney Beans and Traditional Rhodopean Slippers” you will learn more about the local community’s traditions. The exposition is situated on the second floor of the “Prof. Asen Zlatarov” Community Cultural Center (tchitalishte) in the village. Every last Saturday of November the people from the village organize “A Day of Smilyan Beans”, including a culinary exposition and with tasting of dishes from the local cuisine and an exhibition of applied works from Smilyan beans, made by children. At the end of the day the Bean Producer of the Year is announced and given an award. . In the same building is also the Visitors information center where you can find information about the biodiversity and the caves in the Upper Stream Valley of Arda River. In the center young and adults can learn more about the flora and fauna of the mountain through interactive modules and modern presentation technical equipment. There is a meeting hall for 20 people, suitable for educational trainings and workshops.
