Beli Iskar eco-trail
Updated: Aug 25
Dear friends of "Photo Moments", on to the next adventure!
For all those looking for the coolness and freshness of the mountain in the summer or the beauty of nature in every season, the "Beli Iskar" eco-trail will pleasantly surprise you, cool you down and refresh you for the whole day.
What is the "Beli Iskar" eco-path?
Located on the outskirts of the Rila National Park, the eco-path is about seven and a half kilometers long, winding around the Beli Iskar River, a pleasant and easy walking path that you can easily walk without (almost) getting out of breath.
How do you get here?
The town of Samokov is a good enough reference point.
After arriving there, you head to the village of Beli Iskar, the only settlement along the Beli Iskar River.
You continue through the village, following the main road and keeping to the right at all the turns.
You leave the village of Beli Iskar on an asphalt and narrow road, which is quite worn in places, but still passable by car.
About four kilometers after the village is the beginning of the eco-path.
There is a large and shaded parking lot where you can leave your car.
A large number of information boards are placed at the beginning of the path and from there our journey begins.
Rila National Park
Park area "Beli Iskar"
Main bridge No. 1, named "Blue whirlpool"
Main bridge No. 2, named "Izgrev"
Main bridge No. 3, named "The Two Stones"
Main bridge No. 4, bearing the name "Tis"
Main bridge No. 5, named "Long"
Main bridge No. 6, bearing the name "Bor"
Main bridge No. 7, named "Aramlia"
Main bridge No. 8, bearing the name "Solaro"
Each of the main bridges is built over the Beli Iskar River and as you can guess, you will cross the river several times.
In addition to the mentioned eight main bridges, you will also cross eleven smaller ones.
There are six places for recreation and relaxation, named "Lake", "Kamka", "Sredorek", "Zdravets", "Shelter" and "The House", where you can relax, enjoying the coolness, freshness and sound of the waters .
The trail itself is extremely well marked and maintained. You can't go wrong! The wooden bridges are in enviably good condition.
At the beginning of the eco-trail, the altitude is 1215 meters, and at "Zaslona", located between bridges #7 "Aramlia" and #8 "Solaro" – 1380 meters.
The highest point of the eco-path is at the panoramic platform - as much as 1528 meters.
The panoramic platform is located on the left slope of the river valley and offers a stunning view of Orlovi skali.
As you can guess from its name, the path meanders along both banks of the river of the same name, Beli Iskar.
Main bridge No. 4, bearing the name "Tis"
Beli Iskar is a river in the municipality of Samokov, a right tributary of the Iskar River. Its length is 28 kilometers. The Beli Iskar River is considered to be the beginning of the Iskar River.
The Beli Iskar River flows from Canary Lake, located at 2,270 meters above sea level, north of Mount Redzepitsa (2,677 meters) in Rila.
We are imperceptibly approaching places for rest and relaxation, bearing the names "Lake" and "Kamka".
Rests are an essential and very important part of the walk along this extremely pleasant path, and in no case should we forget to stop and admire the phenomenal beauty of Rila!
The Beli Iskar River flows in a northerly direction in a deep valley with steep slopes and a large slope.
Main bridge No. 5, named "Long"
500 meters north of the village of Beli Iskar and 1047 meters above sea level. joins with the Cherni Iskar river coming from its left, and the two rivers form the Iskar river.
The river brings the coolness and freshness of the mountain, so while walking around it is extremely serene and pleasant, especially during the hot summer days.
Main bridge No. 6, bearing the name "Bor"
Beli Iskar is a wild and noisy river, which makes the walk even more pleasant.
Ecopath "Beli Iskar"
In its essence, it represents the Rila mountain on a micro scale - a representative sample of the mountain.
Main (main) bridge No. 7, named "Aramlia"
The relief in the area is mountainous, riverside, characteristic of the foot of the mountain, where the river leaves the narrow gorges and begins to flow in a wider bed.
It is interesting to note that after the seventh bridge you will climb to 1380 meters above sea level, where the "Shelter" is located.
There are several wooden benches to support your weary bodies.
At "Shelter" it is significantly cooler and you will need outerwear.
From "Zaslona" you go down to bridge #8.
As soon as you get off the eighth bridge on the main road, look around for a small wooden bridge, to the left of the asphalt road.
Blink and you'd have missed it!
It is the beginning of another adventure with more adrenaline.
This part is a bit more complicated and requires more climbing.
Its complexity is also increased by the significant amount of fallen trees across the path, and crossing them requires enviable acrobatic skills. But be patient because your efforts will soon be rewarded!
You will come out on a wide panoramic platform, from which an amazing view of Orlovi skali opens.
The panoramic platform is located just above bridge #7.
You will also find wooden benches to rest on.
After enjoying the beauties around, there is no need to turn back, just continue along the path.
This part is a steep descent, but the descent itself is nice and very fun.
You will exit the trail somewhere between bridges #6 and #7 and I advise you to just continue on the asphalt road towards the parking lot and your car.
You are probably already tired enough to go back the same way - through the forest and bridges, so I recommend following the asphalt road.
Walking on it is also pleasant enough.
The entire trail is leisurely walked in about 3 to 4 hours, not including breaks.
What can be visited nearby?
12.4 kilometers from the beginning of the "Beli Iskar" eco-trail (about 26 minutes by car) is Tsarska Bistritsa - a palace of the rulers of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom (1878 - 1947).
Tsarska Bistrica is located very close to Borovets resort.
The path to the Black Rock starts from here.
You must visit the "Transfiguration of the Lord" temple - this is a unique wooden church of its kind in Bulgaria, which you will find in the resort of Borovets.
The Spring of Love is located 11.2 kilometers from the "Beli Iskar" eco-trail (about 20 minutes by car).
The town of Samokov is located 11.5 kilometers from the "Beli Iskar" eco-trail (about 19 minutes by car).
In the town of Samokov, you can visit the beautiful church "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker".
You can visit the Assumption Church.
And you must visit the magical park "Kraiiskarets".
13.1 kilometers from the "Beli Iskar" eco-trail (20 minutes by car) you will find the charming village of Dospey, where you can see the Paisius monument.
Приятна разходка ви пожелавам!