Bulgarian Landscape - Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina)
Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) 
Stretching right across the country from the Serbian border to the Black Sea, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), is a long sinuous mountain range, which covers a total area of 11,600 square kilometres. Dividing Bulgaria into two distinct halves, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) have, over the centuries, had a profound effect on the historical and economic development of the country. The most imposing part of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) is the central section with a score of peaks over 2000m, including the highest summit Mount Botev (2376m). Although not as high or spectacular as the Pirin Mountains or Rila Mountains, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) make up for this with their impressive fauna and flora, and rich historical associations. |
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Topography 
The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) cover a total area of 11,600 square kilometres, almost one tenth of Bulgaria’s total land mass, and stretch right across the country from the Serbian border in the west to the Black Sea in the east. As a whole, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) comprises a large number of individual, yet closely associated massifs. However, a distinct main ridge can be delineated, which stretches for 530 kilometres from the Belogradchik Pass to Cape Emine, with an average width of between 15 to 50 kilometres. Although the average altitude of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) is only 722 metres, twenty-nine of its peaks top 2000 metres. Topographically, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) can be subdivided into three sections, each composed of several individual massifs: the Western Balkans (Western Stara Planina), Central Balkans (Central Stara Planina) and Eastern Balkans (Eastern Stara Planina). |
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Geology 
Despite its Bulgarian name Stara Planina (Old Mountains), it is in geological terms, the youngest mountain range in Bulgaria. The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) are one of the so-called 'new-fold mountains' that were uplifted as part of the Alpine-Himalayan system during the Tertiary period. The ancient core of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) mainly consists of Palaeozoic crystalline schists, often interspersed with granite. However, it is only in higher parts of the Western Balkans (Western Stara Planina) and Central Balkans (Central Stara Planina) that these break through to the surface. Elsewhere they have been outflanked by younger Mesozoic rocks, predominantly limestones, sandstones and marls. Due to its comparatively modest altitude, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) was not subject to the effects of glaciation during the Quaternary period, and thus lacks many of the more striking features associated with typical alpine terrain. Instead, in many places, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) have been gradually eroded into a broad, rolling ridge of rounded summits and shallow saddles. |
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Weather 
Runing right across Bulgaria from west to east, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) acts as a climatic barrier, having a profound influence on the weather of the entire country. Not surprisingly, the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) themselves experience weather patterns that are extremely variable. July and August are usually the warmest months and January and February thee coldest. Interestingly, autumn tends to be somewhat warmer than spring. The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) have relatively high levels of precipitation which is distributed throughout the year. In general, May and June are the wettest months, although fronts moving in from the north-east occasionally bring a violent summer storm. Early autumn is usually more settled. In winter, precipitation tends to fall as snow, giving a deep covering that can last for up to six months in the highest parts of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). Mount Murgash (1687 metres) in the Western Balkans (Western Stara Planina) has the highest average wind speed of any place in Bulgaria. Thick mists and low cloud, particularly in spring and early summer, are another common occurrence and can make navigation very difficult, especially on open ridgeback meadows. Whenever you visit the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), you must be ready for sudden and dramatic changes in the weather, but taking everything into account late summer and early Autumn are probably the best time of year for walking in these mountains. |
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Vegetation 
The vegetation of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) is of predominantly
Central European type. The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) share
many species with the Carpathians and the Alps. On the lowest slopes,
forests of oak (Quercus spp.) and hornbeam (Carpinus
betulus) predominate. At higher altitudes, rising to about 1700
metres, beech (Fagus sylvatica) takes over, sometimes found
growing in association with stands of Silver Fir (Abies alba).
The Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) lacks a true coniferous zone,
but Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
and Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) are all encountered, though they
are generally limited in both extent and range. Above the tree-line
there is a band of scrubby Siberian juniper (Juniperus sibirica),
frequently associated with heath-like thickets of bilberry (Vaccinium
myrtillus), cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and Balkan
Spike-heath (Bruckenthalia spiculifolia). Much of the open
ridgeback is clad in lush pastures, rich in herbaceous species, many
of which are common to the meadows of the Carpathians and Alps. |
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Fauna 
With such a wide variety of relief and vegetation, the Balkan Mountains
(Stara Planina) provides suitable habitats for a very diverse fauna.
Central European species predominate, but in the Eastern Balkans (Eastern
Stara Planina), a number of typically Mediterranean species are also
to be found. Despite the long-term presence and pressures of man,
large carnivores such as brown bear (Ursus arctos) and Wolf
(Canis lupus) still manage to maintain a foothold in the
range, and there is growing evidence that Eurasian Lynx (Lynx
lynx) is tentatively starting to make a reappearance in the Western
Balkans (Western Stara Planina). The extensive forests of the Balkan
Mountains (Stara Planina) provide a home for many interesting species
of woodpecker and owl including such elusive species as white-backed
woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos lilfordii), Ural owl (Strix
uralensis), Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) and Pygmy
owl (Glaucidium passerinum). There are also Semi-collared
Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata) and Red-breasted Flycatcher
(Ficedula parva), as well as rare raptors such as Saker Falcon
(Falco cherrug) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
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Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) Holidays 
There are many opportunities for walking and wildlife holidays in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). Balkan Trek
organises a number of hotel-based walking and wildlife holidays in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina),
offering something for every taste and ability.
Alternatively, for more adventurous naturalists and
independent walkers, the authorative new guidebook 'Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks' by Balkan Trek's
managing director Julian Parry, provides a detailed description of the best walking and wildlife watching opportunities
in the Balkan Mountains.Walking & Wildlife Holiday in the 'Central Balkan' & 'Rila' National Parks |