Only within a year, four thematic hiking trails have been built: “The life of the chestnut”; “Belasitsa’s butterflies and flowers”; “Friends”; and “The ant’s trail”. The names reveal to the visitors the different plant and animal species in the park. “The first two hiking trails begin at the foothills of the mountain, near the villages of Kolarovo and Yavorrnitsa,” says Tonya Todorova from the regional history museum at Blagoevgrad.

“The ant’s trail begins from Kongur mountain hostel where an information board on the entire route is placed. In general, such hiking trails are not very long. The idea is for them to be more informative on the plant and animal species in the region. The ant’s trails lasts for 1h and 20 min. Four additional information boards are placed along its course on the red forest ant – a protected species in Bulgaria.”

There are about 12,000 known ant species in the world. In Europe, they are about 150. Similar to hornets and bees, ants also live in hierarchical communities.
“The Friends trail presents three species,” Tonya Todorova goes on. “We have selected 10 three species which are typical of the mountain. The trail begins at Belasitsa hut and continues to the picturesque Leshnishki waterfall. The hiking lasts about 1h and 40 min. Tourists can hire special guides but that is not absolutely necessary. Maps are also offered so there is no danger of getting lost.”

At the start of all trails, information boards are placed. Such are also placed in nearby villages as well as in the town of Petrich and aim at inviting tourists. Visitors have the options of logging in huts or guest houses in the mountainous villages. Thanks to several projects, local people have realized the potentials of rural tourism and the incomes it can bring. This way they also have the chance to preserve local traditions and crafts thus attracting visitors interested in the region’s customs and culture. Local folk ensembles also perform folklore programs.

“In the beginning, local people didn’t believe that tourists were to come to their region,” Tonya Todorova explains. “The mountain’s nature is fully preserved because there’s virtually no human activity there. After the mountain was declared national park, its management concentrated on the development of alternative forms of tourism, hence the organized groups along the trails.”

Author: Darina Grigorova
English version: Delian Zahariev