Belasitsa Nature Park is located in the southwestern part of Bulgaria and covers the northern slopes of Belasitsa Mountain. Its territory shares a border with Macedonia to the west and with Greece to the south. The total area of the park is 11,732 hectares.
Belasitsa Nature Park was declared to protect the natural resources of the Belasitsa mountain:
- century-old forests, mainly composed of beech, chestnut and plane natural habitats;
- protected by law and endemic plants and animals species;
- unique and representative communities and ecosystems in the treeless zone of the Belasitsa Mountain.
Century-old sweet chestnut forests
There are century-old sweet chestnut forests, which are the most extensive in the Balkans. Century-old sweet chestnut forests are rare habitat in Bulgaria and priority for conservation under the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
(Castanea sativa)
Chestnut forests in Belasitsa are different from those in northern part of the Balkan peninsula because of the mediterranian elements presence such as Acer monspessulanum L., Platanus orientalis L., Colutea arborescens L., Coronilla emerus L., Periploca graeca L., Jasminium fruticans L. This makes them unique in Europe, too.
The best season for travelling to Belasitsa
Every season in Belasitsa has its own beauty, and you may visit the mountain all year round.
In spring, you will see interesting and rare flowers in the meadows and in the forest.
(Chrysosplenium alternifolium)
In the early summer, you will smell the chestnut aroma floating in the air. When the hot summer comes, you may find coolness in the numerous gullies hiding beautiful waterfalls.
Autumn is the season of the beautiful colours and fruits.
(Castanea sativa)
In every season, you can climb to the top of the mountains and see beautiful views in Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia. Only in winter, you may need special equipment depending on the weather.
During all the year, hospitable hosts will welcome you with delicious local dishes and a good mood.
Other things to do and to see in Belasitsa Nature Park
- Hiking in Belasitsa
- Ancient town Herakleya Sintika (Village Rupite)
- Samuilova Fortress (Village Klyuch)
- Chapel “St. Petka Bulgarska” (Village Rupite)
- House of the prophetess Vanga (Village Rupite)
Text courtesy of Belasitsa Nature Park
Photos courtesy of Belasitsa Nature Park, Ilia Kochev Levkov and Vladimir Milushev
