Discover Kirkovo: Hiking, Springs and Nature

Kirkovo offers starting points for a trip featuring hikes, protected nature and individual cultural sites. One route runs from Kirkovo via Chakalarovo to Veykata Peak; other specific destinations include the Banichkite Springs and Punar Kaya. Trail lengths and starting points vary, so you can plan around your chosen destination.

Routes to a Peak and a Cultural Site

Veykata Peak is 1,463 metres high and is considered Bulgaria’s southernmost point. A route from Kirkovo via Chakalarovo leads there. The Gyumyurdzhinski Snezhnik protected area can be reached by a route from the Kirkovo area. This gives you two different natural destinations to choose from: a single peak and a protected area with forests and wildlife.

Starting points for other trails also vary. A 1 km trail leads from the centre of Kirkovo to the Banichkite Springs. The 6 km route from Podkova and Stareyshino leads to Punar Kaya, a domed tomb near Stareyshino. The two routes therefore differ not only in length, but also in where they begin and what lies at the end.

Banichkite Springs near the village

The Banichkite Springs are located right next to Kirkovo, in the Kukulya area. The 1 km trail from the village centre makes it easy to include this destination in your plans without choosing one of the longer routes mentioned. You can also combine a visit to the springs with a visit to the old Roman bridge. This gives you two different stops to choose from for an outing: the springs in Kukulya and the historic bridge.

When visiting the springs, both their location and the route there can help you plan: they are right next to Kirkovo, and access is via a short trail from the centre. If you are planning a visit, check trail and access conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Forests and Wildlife in the Protected Area

Characteristic features of the Gyumyurdzhinski Snezhnik protected area include primary maple and beech forests, as well as beech-fir forests. The forests are more than 150 years old. This gives the area a different natural focus from the individual Veykata Peak: here, the emphasis is on the protected landscape and old-growth forests.

The Rhodope lily also grows in the protected area; seasonal sightings are not guaranteed. The golden eagle is also among the area’s wildlife, but sightings cannot be expected. Those who want to focus on nature can consider the old forests, plant life and listed wildlife as different aspects of the protected area.

Punar Kaya, Damla Kaya and Gaba

Punar Kaya is a domed tomb near Stareyshino. Local beliefs associate the site and its spring water with healing powers. This tradition describes a local belief, not a medical property. The 6 km route from Podkova and Stareyshino leads to the tomb; its length and starting point make it a different option from the short trail from the centre to the Banichkite Springs.

Damla Kaya is another option for hiking. Gaba, meanwhile, is a protected rock formation near Benkovski and is protected as a natural monument. These destinations offer different points of interest: Damla Kaya is associated with hiking, Punar Kaya combines a tomb with local tradition, and Gaba is a protected natural monument. You can choose based on whether you would rather hike, visit a historic site or include a protected rock formation.

Discover more destinations: Dryanova glava, Fotinovo, Chakalarovo, Varben.

Return to the main travel overview: Kirkovo.