Kirkovo: Mountain Trails, Nature and Culture

The Municipality of Kirkovo lies in the southwestern part of Kardzhali Province. Destinations range from mountain trails and forest landscapes to ancient trees, rock formations and cultural sites. Veykata and the trails through beech and mixed forests are a focus for hiking; in Podkova, historical and religious sites take center stage.

Veykata and the Gyumurdzhinski Snezhnik Protected Area

Veykata is 1,463 meters high and is considered the highest peak in the Bulgarian part of Gyumurdzhinski Snezhnik. On clear days, views extend toward Greece, the Aegean Sea and Porto Lagos. Routes to the summit lead through Chakalarovo and Dolno Kapinovo. The route through Chakalarovo includes a marked path through beech and mixed forests. Check trail conditions and markings locally before setting out on a hike.

The Gyumurdzhinski Snezhnik Protected Area covers 1,926.4 hectares in the areas of Gorno Kapinovo, Dolno Kapinovo, Chakalarovo, Shumnatitsa and Kremen. It extends to the Bulgarian-Greek border and includes the area around Veykata peak. Consult official nature conservation information for the current boundaries of the protected area. The natural environment includes primeval maple, beech and beech-fir forests more than 150 years old; some individual trees are over 300 or 400 years old. Animal species in the area include the golden eagle, sparrowhawk, honey buzzard, black woodpecker and bear. They are part of the natural environment, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Ancient Trees, Rocks and Caves

Near Medevci stands a centuries-old sessile oak with a trunk circumference of 6.50 meters. It is estimated to be about 480 years old and is considered easy to reach. In Fotinovo, a protected Oriental plane tree stands beside the village mosque. Its trunk circumference is 6.20 meters, and it is estimated to be about 400 years old.

The protected Gubata rock formation near Benkovski is made of sandstone and resembles a mushroom. It is about two meters high; the route from Benkovski is two kilometers. The Fotinovo “Turtles” rock complex is a megalithic site associated with the Stone Age. Several shapes carved into the rock resemble turtles; the largest measures 7.6 meters. The route there from Kirkovo or Krilatitsa is five kilometers.

There are several caves in marbleized limestone in the Kremen area. Their fauna includes bats, centipedes and scorpions. One cave contains a small lake with fish, while another shows traces of earlier life. Rock formations include draperies, stalactites and dendrites. The route from the Kirkovo–Kremen junction to the caves is ten kilometers. Entrances may be hidden by overgrown shrubs; a local guide is recommended for visits. Check trail conditions and markings locally before hiking.

Podkova: Wooden Mosque and Sacred Sites

The Wooden Mosque of the Seven Maidens in Podkova dates from 1428. It was restored in 2009 using traditional building techniques and is designated a cultural monument. Visitors are welcome; observe local religious customs and remove your shoes before entering. The mosque complex includes seven symbolic graves, known as cenotaphs, associated with the legend of the Seven Maidens.

The Hŭdırlez gathering at the mosque takes place on May 6 and attracts visitors from Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Western Europe. Its scale and program may vary from year to year. The Punar-Kaya domed tomb near Stareyshino is about 300 meters from the Damla-Kaya sacred complex. The walking route from Podkova or Stareyshino is about six kilometers. Have conditions and access confirmed locally. The area around Podkova railway station provides a starting point for visits to the Wooden Mosque and the Damla-Kaya complex; check the latest information from BDZ before departure.

Plan Fishing and Travel

Fishing options include a pond stocked with carp at the Hvoynova Polyana hut, the Golyama Niva reservoir near Kirkovo, which is accessible by car, and the larger Mŭglene reservoir near Benkovski. The Mŭglene reservoir is accessible by car, has a capacity of eight million cubic meters and is considered suitable for fishing. There are no overnight accommodation facilities there. Before going fishing, check local access and fishing conditions, as well as current fish stocks.

A route list from 2024 shows public transport connections within the Municipality of Kirkovo: Kardzhali–Kirkovo–Gorno Kapinovo, Kirkovo–Yakovitsa–Chakalarovo, Kirkovo–Medevtsi–Benkovski, Kirkovo–Starovo, Kirkovo–Lozengradtsi and Kirkovo–Shumnatitsa. It also includes connections from Starovo, Sredsko and Delvino to Podkova railway station. Check current connections and departure times before traveling.

The routes described here have different starting points.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kirkowo, Chakalarovo, Dryanova glava, Fotinovo, Varben, Krumovgrad, Kardzhali, Ardino.

For the broader travel overview: Kardzhali Province.