Iskar Gorge, Skaklia Waterfall and Cherepish Monastery Day Trip from Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 1 day
The emphasis of this day tour is to experience the spectacular Iskar Gorge landscape at first hand through short walks to hidden nature landmarks not seen from a tour bus. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery, caves, amazing rock formations, spectacular waterfalls and Cherepish monastery dating back the 14th-century in a day tour from Sofia!
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The emphasis of this day tour is to experience the spectacular Iskar Gorge landscape at first hand through short walks to hidden nature landmarks not seen from a tour bus. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery, caves, amazing rock formations, spectacular waterfalls and Cherepish monastery dating back the 14th-century in a day tour from Sofia!You will picked up from your hotel or address early in the morning for a scenic journey in the spectacular Iskar Gorge to the village of Gara Bov. The walk begins from the outskirts of the village with a gentle ascent in a fairy forest and within 45 minutes you are under the mist of Skaklia – one of the tallest waterfalls in Bulgaria (120 m). The walk continues to the top of the waterfall where you may have lunch admiring breathtaking panoramas of the Iskar River Ravine from the edge of the over 200 meters high cliffs. This picturesque area has inspired Ivan Vazov, one of the best Bulgarian writers of all time for some of his best works.
Later you walk downhill on a different route offering great panoramas of the gorge, passing by lush meadows where many orchids can be seen in spring and early summer (such as Orchis Morio and Orchis Tridentata). You reach the van and the trip continues with a scenic journey downstream the river to one of the biggest karst springs in Bulgaria – “Zhitolub”. In rainy days the flow of the spring reaches 1200 L per minute! You stop there for a short walk before heading towards the Cherepish Monastery, founded in the 14th century. You visit the monastery and passing by the Ritlite nature phenomenon you head towards Sofia.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Total ascent / descent: approx. 480 m
Bus / car transfers duration: approx. 4 hours / 195 km
Later you walk downhill on a different route offering great panoramas of the gorge, passing by lush meadows where many orchids can be seen in spring and early summer (such as Orchis Morio and Orchis Tridentata). You reach the van and the trip continues with a scenic journey downstream the river to one of the biggest karst springs in Bulgaria – “Zhitolub”. In rainy days the flow of the spring reaches 1200 L per minute! You stop there for a short walk before heading towards the Cherepish Monastery, founded in the 14th century. You visit the monastery and passing by the Ritlite nature phenomenon you head towards Sofia.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours
Total ascent / descent: approx. 480 m
Bus / car transfers duration: approx. 4 hours / 195 km
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