Once you enter Dazhdovnitsa, you make a sharp 180° turn and descend along a narrow asphalt road towards Snezhinka. Shortly before the entrance to the village, next to an old fountain with a convenient parking area, the trail itself begins. Here you will see the clearly marked yellow markings, which will lead you through a flat, gentle route with a total length of 5.5 kilometers – ideal for any age and physical fitness.

The trail passes through the village of Snezhinka itself, where today only two families live. The atmosphere here is like frozen in time - old Rhodope houses, fragrant courtyards and a feeling of complete tranquility.
Leaving the village, to the left and ahead you will notice a rock massif known as the "Snezhinki" caves - four in number, narrow, low and difficult to pass. They are located on a cliff where a fortress existed in the Middle Ages. Due to the difficult terrain, we do not recommend visiting them without an experienced guide or someone who knows the area well.

The route continues along an old carriage road, which offers unique panoramas of the Kardzhali dam, passes through a pine forest and reaches a rope bridge connecting the two municipalities of Kardzhali and Ardino.

Deer, turtles, woodpeckers can often be seen along the way, and the ground is covered with thyme and lapad, which smell of real, living nature.
The trail is named "Volunteer" in honour of the volunteers from the Tourist Information Centre at the Municipality of Kardzhali, who work hard to mark and maintain the cleanliness and accessibility of the tourist routes in the municipality.

This is "Volunteer" - a trail that not only connects nature with people, but shows how far enthusiasm can go when it is led by love for the Rhodopes.

To open a GPX file with a smartphone, you must have one of the applications installed in advance. GPX Viewer, Osmand or Oruxmaps.

Материалът Екопътека „Доброволец“ е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Over the centuries, the Arda river has washed away the softer rocks, but the solid rock formations have remained intact. This has created a narrow and rugged gorge with deep crevices, high rock walls, and bizarre shapes that look as if they were carved on purpose.

Some of the most interesting sights here are the so-called abrasion pits - round holes in the rocky bottom, carved out by fast-flowing water and the pebbles swirling in it. Some of them are very small, measuring about 20 cm, while others are true giants - with a diameter of up to 8 meters and a depth of up to 15 meters.

Along the canyon, in a section of about one kilometer, there are deep crevices and pits with depths ranging from 3 to 25 meters. It is no wonder that the place is shrouded in legends. According to local legends, anyone who fell into one of these holes never came out – neither alive nor dead. It is said that a mysterious force dragged them into a dark underground world from which there was no return, and that the ravine itself was the work of the "sheitan" - the devil.

Today, Shaitan Dere remains one of the most mystical and impressive places near Arda - a wild territory for adventurers, where nature, stories, and imagination go hand in hand.

Материалът Шейтан дере – абразивни кладенци е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Built at the Varna Shipyard and launched in June 1937, Galata was the first metal ship ever constructed in Bulgaria. Designed as a motorized passenger vessel, it could accommodate up to 50 passengers. Measuring 17.5 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width, it was powered by a 100-horsepower diesel engine. In its early years, Galata sailed the familiar waters of the Varna and Burgas bays as part of the Bulgarian Maritime Fleet.

But the story of Galata doesn’t end there. According to a widely shared account, the ship was once used by the royal family of Tsar Boris III - elevating it beyond a mere vessel to a symbol of an era.

In January 1963, tragedy struck. The Galata sank off the coast of Balchik, claiming the lives of 14 people, including the entire crew. A year later, the ship was salvaged, repaired, and sent to a new destination - the Studen Kladenets Reservoir – where it served for many years, connecting remote villages along the reservoir’s shoreline with the city of Kardzhali.

Today, Galata no longer sails, but it continues to inspire. Permanently anchored near Shiroko Pole, the ship has become a favorite spot for photographers, travelers, and those seeking a glimpse of the untold stories of the Rhodope Mountains. Set against the still water and the silhouette of the hills beyond, its weathered frame stands as both a monument and a memory - inviting visitors to step back in time and reflect on a legacy that deserves to be remembered.

Материалът Кораб с история: „Галата“ е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.

Places to Visit Include:

The Womb Cave
The Womb is an ancient sanctuary dating back to the 11th–10th century BC. At the end of the cave, there is a carved altar just over one meter high, and at the top of the cave, there is a crack through which a sunbeam enters for a few minutes every day at 12 noon.

Rope Bridge to the Village of Suhovo
Tourists will be surprised right at the beginning of the route, as crossing to the opposite shore of the Kardzhali reservoir is done by boat. This is followed by a climb up an iron ramp, from which breathtaking views can be enjoyed and stunning photos taken. The route continues with a 6-hour ascent that recharges with positive energy and offers the option to return to the starting point – Hotel “Borovitsa” – by car.

Stone Bridge
Located between Family Hotel “Borovitsa” and the village of Nenkovo, it impresses with its monumental size and wonderful asymmetrical architecture.

Paradise View
The tourist route “Paradise View” is located near the Kardzhali reservoir close to the Womb Cave. It is extremely attractive, with views of the meanders of the Kardzhali reservoir and the Arda River, the steep peaks, and the wild nature of the Eastern Rhodopes.

Chilyaka peak
The path to it takes about 4 hours and passes through an exceptionally beautiful landscape. The area is dotted with megaliths from the Thracian period, and the views of the Arda River and the Kardzhali reservoir are unforgettable.

Medieval Fortress Patmos
The name Patmos translates from Thracian as “Rock among rivers.” Remains of fortress walls, foundations of a tower, and a church have been preserved. Patmos is a fortress with an irregular rectangular shape, with many of the fortress walls and towers still preserved today, reaching over 3 meters high in some places.

Devil’s Bridge
Hidden deep in the Eastern Rhodopes, Devil’s Bridge is enveloped in mystical beauty, surrounded by stunning nature and impressive views.

Cherni Vrah – Kalterata
Reaching this area involves first a pleasant water journey to cross to the opposite shore of the reservoir. From there, a gentle and pleasant climb begins, where at the summit tourists can enjoy the breathtaking wonders of nature and the black volcanic rocks from which the name Kalterata originates.

How to book:
Reservations and additional inquiries can be made both by phone and through social media.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful magic of the Eastern Rhodopes with us! Family Hotel “Borovitsa” awaits you!

Материалът Опознай Източните Родопи със семеен хотел „Боровица“ е публикуван за пръв път на Visit Kardzhali.