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This is a journey through time that will take you to the prehistoric, contemporary and future moments of the Devetaki Plateau. You will feel the fear, hopes and dreams of those who came before us with stories in the Devetaki Cave. We will find that when people believe in the future, even the old mill can become the scene of new adventures. Looking towards the Alexander Stamboliyski Dam, you will discover evidences of how history, culture and nature intertwine, creating a heritage that shapes the modern landscape.
What you’ll discover
- Devetaki Cave, Archaeology
- Devetaki Cave, New History
- Kramolin, Fortress Grada
- Kramolin, View of the Alexandar Stamboliyski Dam
- Agatovo
- Kakrina, Kakrinsko Hanche (The Kakrina Inn)
- The Old Mill in Karpachevo
Each stop along this trail offers amazing stories and views; it provides you with the joy of immersing yourself in nature and history.
Trail details
Length (km): 91 km
Duration (without a quest / with a quest): 5 h / 5 h 30 min
Getting there: Cycling and walking / Driving and walking
- Special notes (e.g., clothes, equipment, weather, etc.):
- Sturdy shoes (rocky terrain inside caves and slippery paths in the forest)
- Flashlight or headlamp (low-light areas inside caves)
- Smartphone or printed map (for navigation)
- Notebook or phone (to take notes for clues, if you engage with quests)
- Best Season: Spring to Autumn (April – October), when the caves are easily accessible and safe
Safety guidelines:
- Be cautious of uneven surfaces in the caves
- Watch for loose rocks or slippery surfaces
- Limited mobile coverage inside the caves – download an offline map
- Respect the sites – the caves are natural heritage
Guided tour and/or self-organized trip by travelers: This trail can be taken by travelers on their own. Guiding is not offered.
Why this trail matters
The story of Devetaki Cave is not only about the natural wonders, but also about the people who saved it and the generations who restored it after years of oblivion and destruction. Here we can feel the fear, hopes and dreams of those who came before us.
The Old Mill proves that tradition and innovation go hand in hand, as long as someone believes in their power. It shows us that when people believe in the future, even the old mill can become the scene of new adventures.
The Fortress Grada shows how a rock can be a home, a fortress and a witness to centuries of human destinies.
The dam is a symbol of human resilience and the fight against natural elements. It is also evidence of how history, culture and nature intertwine, creating a heritage that shapes the modern landscape.
The magic of the bronze fawn is not only in its historical roots, but also in the ways in which antiquity continues to inspire modern generations to preserve its heritage. This is a story about a small symbol that carries great power – to connect the past with the present and to inspire people to work to preserve their history and nature.
The Kakrina Inn is one of the most famous places associated with the revolutionary activities of the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski, the place that gave him his last refuge before being captured by the Turkish garrison.