Lovers of gentle mountain hiking, which conditions offer the southern regions of Varna region, know about one advantage of the forests near Dalgopol. The trails are well marked, with signs, create security, the likelihood of getting lost is small. Until recently, these were the cleanest trails in the Varna region (until recently, as nature is constantly “throwing” vegetation, constant cleaning is difficult). In addition, in terms of the number of marked trails the area of Dalgopol also holds the first place.
Apart from the wonderful scenery, all this is not a gift. It is due to a rare phenomenon – to the cooperative, completely voluntary efforts of local authorities, business representatives, tourist associations and people who simply love nature. Can anyone in our country really do something for free?
Without coercion, willingly?
Yes, it turned out, and several times.
Scattered across the slopes of the Eastern Balkan Mountains and along the Kamchia valley, the municipality of Dalgopol offers amazing conditions for walks, views, climbing, hotel tourism. Here are the Tsonevo dam, peaks, meadows, natural sights, cultural and historical values, rocks, caves… the railway line, and the good asphalt (the mountain is an area of the DPS, the roads are maintained), make the municipality of Dalgopol well accessible from both Varna and Burgas.
In 2004, near the village of Sladka Voda, on the initiative of the then local school (a private environmentally friendly project), the Ecopark “Vodenitsite” was established. A route, benches, shelters, a fountain, etc. were built.
charming, attractive but declining
gradually. Poor tourist infrastructure are a pain for Mariana Hristova, mayor of Arkovna, a neighbouring village… But what can a village mayor do alone? Almost nothing.
In 2019, the deputy mayor of Dalgopol, Mariana Nikolaeva, goes to the “Wodenitsi” with friends. They take the route for a walk, but are appalled by its state. Thus, with Mariana Hristova from Arkovna, the idea was born to clean the trails, pave new ones, put up signs, maps, renew the markings. The goal is Arkovna – to make the eponymous peak above the village accessible. But, of course, the whole area would benefit.
There are two hotels in the villages of Arkovna and Cherni Vrh, one of which has a restaurant from the mythical “Gyurlata” chain. In Dalgopol the agricultural company Admiral is active. All along the Black Sea coast there are a number of nature clubs, as well as ordinary hard-working people. And on a summer day of 2020.
In the summer of 2020 about 30 people from Varna, Burgas and other settlements gather.
The aforementioned companies pay for signs and boards, the municipality of Dalgopol provides materials, tools, treats; municipal officials, led by Mayor Georgi Georgiev, come and help. Employees of other institutions join in. The role of the tourist association “Nasam-Natam” is decisive, the scout club “Vladislav Varnenchik”, the adventure club “Phoenix” help. Not long after, the result of the conspiratorial troop was present: 4 routes, over 40 signposts, 3 boards with maps and rich information, one jalon. Some of the rotten planks of the rope bridge between Arkovna and Cherni vrh have been replaced. In some parts the paths are
changed to avoid dangerous sections
such as near the railway line. The new sections open up scenic views.
“The trails almost completely cover all the beautiful places around the area,” Mariana Hristova raved in a final Facebook post. “Most importantly, we did it together – volunteers, donors, local government, forestry officials,” adds Mariana Nikolaeva.
But things don’t end there.
A year later, the municipality of Dalgopol is again looking for the company “Nasam-Natam” – to make a few more routes. Due to the fact that it is from Burgas and operates in other regions, things slow down. But the communication between the municipality and the company is ongoing, time is being used for consideration. The idea of working on the whole area is being discussed.
with all the important trails and landmarks,
with approaches from nearby villages. A plan is drawn up. Routes are plotted, walked, photographed, locations for signs, boards, stiles identified. 120 signs, 4 boards with maps, 5 jalons were made. A new detailed map of the area was drawn. And on a nice September weekend in 2023, 40 people from Varna, Burgas, Pleven, Sofia, Karnobat, Dalgopol gathered – clearing bushes, thorns, scrubbing the old paint, marking with new paint, nailing signs, concreting stingers, collecting and throwing away rubbish… Soon the group gathered again to finish the task.
Apart from materials, the municipality of Dalgopol has again helped with accommodation, food. The group “Planilandia”, scout club “Vladislav Varnenchik”, TD “Native Balkans”, bicycle club “Ustrem” and sports club “Chudnite Skali” have joined in.
Many new friendships are made at work,
in the evenings, relaxing by the fire. For the work, no one asks, nor has it crossed his mind to ask for a penny. How so? Well, for example, Dimo Kolev, the chairman of “Nasam-Natam”, got lost with his wife somewhere in the Balkan Mountains years ago. They got better, but it was an ordeal. Kolev decided to devote his free time to improving and marking hiking trails.
It’s not business, it’s dedication.
And here are the improved trails. Let everyone find the time and visit them. There is a lot to see. 17:
Dalgopol- Hristo Patrev Monument- Komunari Station. Blue marking. 15,2 km.
Dalgopol-Hristo Patrev Monument-Asparuhovo. Blue and Yellow markings. 11.6 km
Dalgopol-Rock Monastery Tupanite. Yellow marking. 7.3 km
Dalgopol-Royashki rock monasteries. Green marking. 6.7 km
С. Roja-Rock Monastery Tupani. Blue marking. 5,8 km
С. Rojak-Rojak rock monasteries. Blue and green marking. 3,5 km
Asparuhovo-vr. Grad. Blue marking. 8.1 km
Asparuhovo – Hristo Patrev monument. Yellow marking. 3,1 kmAsparuhovo-vrs. Kaleto-Asparuhovo. Circular route – green marking. 10 km
Asparuhovo-Gara Komunari. Yellow and Blue marking. 6,8 km
Asparuhovo-Vr. Kaleto-Gara Partizani. Green and Blue markings. 11,8 km
Asparuhovo-vr. Kaleto-Gara Struya. Green and Yellow markings. 8,4 km
Wonderful Rocks-Manastira-Gara Partizani. Blue marking. 8.7 km
The Wonderful Rocks-Gara Struya. Green marking. 3 km.
С. Poljacite-Kuzya Skoka waterfall. Blue marking. 3.6 km
Komunari Station-The Fractured Rock. Green marking. 2.2 km
Struya Station-Gubata Rock-Mt. Kaleto. Yellow and green markings. 4.2 km
But that’s not all
Currently the municipality of Dalgopol is planning to establish information centres in the town and in the village of Asparuhovo. Tourist packages will be developed, including the natural and cultural-historical riches of the area. Intensive publicity has started. All this was explained a few days ago at a conference with the participation of local government representatives from other municipalities in Varna region.
The focus of praise, of success,
of course, are the 17 tourist routes in question.
“I had told my fellow villagers that things would work out. They didn’t believe it, but it happened. Improving the trails increased visitors, and made everything easier. People were constantly looking for me before – where to go, where to go… Everything is different now. Well, nature has its say – if now there are volunteers who will take the circular route above the village, it will be good,” Maria Hristova, the mayor of Arkovna, told EcoVarna.
In short: The work is done, more is to come – a most normal beautiful situation.
