Central Balkan National Park
A long protected strip along the highest Balkan range, with old-growth beech listed by UNESCO.
Updated 18 October 2026
UNESCO World Heritage
The Central Balkan park runs about eighty-five kilometres along the highest section of the Stara Planina, the range that gives the Balkans their name, protecting beech and mixed forest on the slopes and open grassland along the ridge above 1,500 metres, with nine strict reserves inside it. Several of its old-growth beech stands were added in 2017 to the UNESCO listing of ancient and primeval beech forests of Europe. It holds brown bear, wolf, chamois and a substantial raptor population, and the Botev peak at 2,376 metres is its high point. The Kom to Emine ridge trail, which crosses the whole country, runs through it, and the park is threaded with marked routes and mountain huts.
History
The park was established on 31 October 1991 to protect the scenery and natural heritage of the central Balkan Mountains and the customs and livelihood of the people who live around them, and it is run by a Park Directorate of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters. It covers 716.69 square kilometres over a length of 85 kilometres, rising from about 550 metres near Karlovo to 2,376 metres on Botev Peak, and its nine nature reserves, among them Boatin, Tsarichina, Kozya Stena and Steneto, take up 28 percent of its territory (Wikipedia, Central Balkan National Park).
Highlights
- UNESCO-listed old-growth beech - the primeval stands on the slopes.
- Botev peak at 2,376 metres - the highest point in the range.
- The Kom to Emine ridge route - the long-distance trail crossing the park.
- Brown bear and chamois - the large mammals the reserves protect.
When to go
June to September for the ridge; snow lies late and the huts are shut outside the season. A day for a valley walk, several for a ridge traverse. Afternoon storms are frequent in summer.
Before you go
Weather on the ridge changes very fast and the open grassland offers no shelter. Huts are basic and crowded at weekends. Strict reserves are closed to entry. Bears are present and food should be handled accordingly. Marking is good but not everywhere.
Nearby
Raysko Praskalo falls inside the park; Troyan Monastery lies north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q1887045, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Central Balkan National Park
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- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
- Warm base layers - Merino or synthetic against the skin - never cotton, which chills when damp. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
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