Bulgarian mountains
Where in the mountains
Bulgaria is a mountainous country. There are 37 mountains
on the territory of Bulgaria, 36 of them situated in the
southern part. The mountain range of Stara Planina is the
border between Northern and Southern Bulgaria and it is
the the longest and the biggest in area. The second longest
mountain range in our country is Sredna Gora, but the most
impressive mountainous system is the Rila-Rhodope Massif,
including Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Slavianka and Sturgach.
Two lower mountains are situated to the east of Rila-Rhodope
Massif - Sakar and Strandja. The highest, the biggest and
most famous of the Plana-Zaval Group is Vitosha Mountain
with Mount Cherni Vrah 2290 m. 7 low mountains are located
between the border with Serbia and The Rila Mountains. These
are Riu (the highest in the group-1706 m. above sea level),
Ezdimir, Strazha, Liubash, Cherna Gora, Golo Burdo and Verila.
The reserve "Ostritza" is situated in Golo Burdo
and it is rich in endemic vegetation kinds. In the south-west
corner of Bulgaria the Osogovo-Belasitza mountainous group
is situated including Osogovo Mountain and Belasitza which
are over 2000 meters high, Vlahina, Malashevska Mountain
and Ograjden. Belasitza is situated on the territories of
3 states Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia. Bulgarian mountains
are subject to tourism and sports related activities. There
are very good ski-sports opportunities in four big ski-centers:
Borovets, Pamporovo, Aleko and Banskî. The smaller ski centers
of local importance are Semkovo, Panichishte, Rila Lakes,
Maliovitza, Petrohan, Kom, Strajata, Beklemeto, Pleven,
Uzana, Chumerna, Zdravetz, Biala Cherkva, Persenik, Yundola,
Tcigov chark. The center of Bulgarian mountaineering is
the peak of Maliovitza (2730m.) but also Vihren, Raiski
Skali, Lakatnik, Severniya Djendem, Karandila ,the gorge
on Erma. There are very good conditions for other sports
too-mountain marathon, mountain bike, delta and paragliding,
rafting and kayaking.