The Kostenets Waterfall

Bulgarian sights
Location:  Sofia Region, Kostenets

The Kostenets Waterfall is a beautiful natural landmark located on the Chavcha River in the Rila Mountains. It is located 3 km south of the village of Kostenets, 6 km in the same direction of the town of Kostenets, 35 km east of Borovets resort and 79 km southeast of the capital Sofia city.

The Kostenets Waterfall  is located in the central part of the resort area "Kostenets Villas" located in Rila National Park - the largest national park in Bulgaria and one of the most important in Europe certified by "PAN PARKS" because of its preserved nature. Furthermore, the waterfall is one of the most significant natural tourist attractions in the municipality of Kostenets.

The height of the water drop is about 10 m. The largest volume of water quantities flow in the spring with the snow melting, the water reduces in the summer and during the winter the entire waterfall freezes at the low temperatures. A bath with hot mineral water and seven springs, which has long benefited the local population, but was subsequently destroyed in an earthquake, was excavated in the rocks nearby.

The plants on the rocks around the waterfall are protected as well. The natural caves and rock formations, which are protected by law, are also part of the site. The picturesque Kostenets gorge begins here.

The waterfall was declared a natural landmark in 1974. It was described by Ivan Vazov in 1917 in his works "What sings the mountain" and "Kostenets - travel notes".

The Kostenets Waterfall is a starting point for the main tourist routes in the northern part of Rila Mountain towards Belmeken: Kostenets Villas - along the river Chavcha to Belmeken hut; The Waterfall - "The Dove" hut - Belmeken hut; Resort Kostenets Villas - "Belmeken" Sports Complex.

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMODATION

The tourist attraction can be visited all-year-round. The waterfall is indicated, there are informational boards and signs. It can be reached by bus, which departs from Kostenets, the waterfall itsels can be reached via a stone path.

There is a large parking lot, as well as separated picnic areas, restaurants and hot springs in the close proximity. The villas in the resort area "Kostenets Villas" are available for tourists, as well as a guest house and restaurant in the village of Kostenets and the villas in the Kostenets resort - 1 km from the waterfall.

Sources: http://kostenets-tourism.comhttp://waterfallsbg.info
Photos: http://waterfallsbg.infohttp://photo.raskoll.com



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