Devil’s Throat, Ledenika, Snezhanka, Magoura, Vodopada, and Yagoudina might sound strange, but these are the names of some of the most spectacular underground treasures of Bulgaria.
Deep underground lies a real challenge for every explorer and, with its close to 4620 caves that have been found so far, Bulgaria provides plenty of opportunities for adventures: an abundance that does not deserve to be left unexplored. With so many caves of different origin and depth, the good thing is that most of them are easy to visit.
The place to start is the magnificent region of the town of Trigrad in the Rhodope mountains, where a complex of caves is set in the ancient rocks around the small town. The road to the caves is well-maintained, an advantage for those who prefer to drive rather than climb. Scientists claim that in Trigard there is evidence of human life dating from 4300 BCE. The 300 000-year-old Devil’s Throat cave is a wonderful choice to begin your explorations. Its name is not without justification. Its total length is one km and the improved route is 350 m. The main spectacle on offer is the biggest cascade of waterfalls on the Balkan peninsula, of a total height of 60m. According to legend, this is where Orpheus descended to the realm of the deceased, in search of his beloved Euridice. An option for the brave is a riverboat trip to the back of the cave. You need only wait in front of the entrance to the cave for a group to be formed and pay your two leva entrance fee. Towards the end, brace yourself for several metres of stairs, because you have to climb all the way up to the top of the hill to emerge from the cave. It is an effort well worth it.
After the excitement of the Devil’s Throat, a few kilometres separates you from another wonder of nature: the Yagoudina cave. A narrow but well-maintained road leads to it, with plenty of road signs along the way. Take care at weekends, because there are hundreds of motor vehicles jamming the road and sometimes traffic jams bespoil the mountain reaches. The cave is unique for being the longest cave on the Balkan peninsula (10km). It is in the canyon valley of the Buinovska river, two km to the west of the village of Yagoudina. The cave is of the karst type, and is five storeys high, with abysses and labyrinths inside. The local people have taken the trouble to install electricity in some sections of the cave. The light plays on the shadows to create images that resemble popular characters from fairy tales. Do not be surprised to see the likeness of Father Christmas.
Next on the list is the Bacho Kiro cave, near the splendid Troyan Monastery on the Balkan Ridge, 30km from Veliko Turnovo. In 1962, the cave was declared a natural landmark, and in 1964 it was electrified. The cave has several levels.
Bacho Kiro is a complicated four-storey labyrinth of galleries and nooks and crannies of a total length of about 3600m. According to researchers, the cave took about 1.8 million years to form. Archeological websites say that the cave was surveyed for the first time by Professor Urichin in 1890. In 1937, a British expedition with led by an American, Dorothy Garat, worked in it. And from 1971 to 1976, there were excavations by a Bulgarian-Polish expedition. They unearthed finds from the Paleolithic period, from 40 000 to 70 000 years BCE. The cave is open to visitors all year round and guides are readily available.
Northern Bulgaria is another option for cave lovers. One of the most famous caves there is the Ledenika cave. The name might sound familiar because of the Bulgarian beer brand that bears the same name. Drinking Ledenika beer, however, is not recommended when visiting Ledenika cave. Just 16km west of the town of Vratsa, Ledenika is a popular choice for a one-day trip outside the city. About 300m in length, the cave is well fitted out for tourists. Its 10 halls, ornate with stalactites, stalagmites, rock draperies and waterfalls, create an enchanting underground atmosphere. This has made Ledenika the most frequently visited cave in Bulgaria. The highest point of the cave is called the Seventh Sky and may be reached by the more energetic visitors.
Opened for the first time in 1961, the cave was proclaimed a natural landmark. by the authorities after just a year. The temperature in the cave varies from -7° C to -15° C (in winter in the Antechamber) and to 8° C in the inner parts, so dress well. The moisture of the air is 92 per cent.
The Magoura Cave, also known as the Rabisha Cave, is one of the largest in Bulgaria. It is in the Western Balkan Ridge, 32km north-west of Belogradchik. Again a popular tourist site, the venue is well prepared for visits. There are many halls, some vast and adorned with beautiful rock formations. Most charming is the “Hall of Triumph” with its small lake.
Snezhanka, a cave in the western Rhodope mountains, is a definite must; its beauty will entrance you. Here size does not matter. Snezhanka is not the biggest cave in the country, but the numerous small halls and the fact that it is exceptionally rich in stalactites, stalagmites and draperies of varied form make it unique. The cave derives its name from a nature-sculptured woman’s figure of snow-white crystal in the Magic Hall.
Last but not least is a cave that just recently has become popular among tourists in Bulgaria. It is the Vodopada (Waterfall) cave, 800m south of the village of Kroushuna (near the town of Lovech). Its uniqueness is in the fact that it is a water labyrinth, extremely difficult for orientation, so be cautious when exploring it. With all this information you just need know just one thing: go there for the real experience, for which words cannot serve as a substitute.
