Arda · RhodopesThe area
Sixteen places within a day’s reach — caves, fortresses, waterfalls and summits. Each has its own page.
- Geranitsa, Gorna Arda
- 2km
- The source of the Arda
- 2.1km
The Agushevi Konatsi
The largest private fortified residence in the Balkans, built for Salih Agush Aga and his three sons.
Geranitsa, Gorna Arda
Two kilometres from the source of the Arda. Spit-roast lamb, Rhodope bagpipes, and two shelters on opposite banks.
Golubovitsa water cave
You walk in through the water. Not for everyone.
Rufinka’s grave
“Rufinka bolna legnala” is one of the hardest Rhodope songs to sing. The girl in it was real.
Garloto canyon, Koshnitsa
Tucked below the mountain road. The river has carved the rock into the shape of a throat — hence the name.
The source of the Arda
The place the hotel is named after. About an hour on foot.
Kale Koshnitsa
A late-antique and medieval fortress at 1,006 metres, on a cone of marbled limestone.
The Kartalovi Prisoyki trail
In the Rhodope dialect a “prisoyka” is a sunlit, south-facing place. The “kartali” were the eagles of Kartalov Kamak.
The Kiselchovski waterfalls
The Lyutinska river has cut a run of cascades, hidden from the usual routes. You cross on foot, through the water.
Lisa Gora watchtower
Nineteen metres, built by the villagers so people could see how far the Rhodopes go.
Mogilitsa fortress
The path up goes through old forest and open meadow. The fortress is at the end, but the walk is half of it.
Nadarska cave
Fifty-five metres, and among the richest in formations in the Rhodopes.
Tipetse cave
Traces of people from several eras, and the bones of a cave bear.
Uhlovitsa cave
Over three and a half million years old. One of the oldest in the Rhodopes.
Kom peak
A sacred summit with an ancient sanctuary and no shortage of buried-treasure stories.
The Vrahat viewpoint
Built by two old men from the village so that people could see the real thing. They managed it.