Iskur Gorge is the prettiest route northwest out of Sofia. The Iskur is the only river that flows north from the Rila Mountains, crossing the Stara Planina to become a tributary of the Danube.
Belogradchik is surrounded by red rock formations covering more than fifty square kilometers.
Venetsa Cave, discovered in 1970 by a limestone quarry, is 200m long and hosts two species of bats. The cave is about 15 km east of Belogradchik.
The Belogradchik Rock Fortress, also called Kaleto, is an ancient fortress located on the north slopes of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) near the town of Belogradchik. It was constructed by the Romans, who added fortified walls to the natural sandstone and conglomerate rock formations. The fortress guards the approach to Belogradchik Pass.
©2025 Mermaid Underwater Photographic. All Rights Reserved.
This page sponsored by Mermaid Underwater Photographic. Contact us at mermaid@underwater.org.
Last modified 18 September 2025