A wonderfully scenic trail – Strouilitsa-Lukata – meanders in the heart of a mountain shrouded in legend, the Rhodopes, just two kilometers from the town of Devin. The trail twists and turns in the gorge of Devinska River, bizarre rock formations, waterfalls and fantastical landscapes opening up on either side.

In these woodlands, enswathing the sheer slopes on either sides, no human has ever set foot. That is why so many animal and plant species that have disappeared in Western Europe long ago still thrive here. Like the gorgeous Orpheus flower Haberlea rhodopensis, which the local people call bezsmurtniche, resurrection plant, because it is able to rise up like a phoenix after 31 whole months of drought. Legend has it that the flower with the delicate violet petals grew from the tears of the mythical singer Orpheus.

The trail runs past the remains of one of the last Bulgarian fortresses in a locality called Kaleto where once, the people of the Rhodopes took a stand against the Ottoman invaders. The trail follows the riverbanks of Devinska River, so wooden bridges had to be built in the sections that are most difficult of access.

The idea to build the Strouilitsa-Lukata trail dates back to the 1970s when furrows were dug and logs laid down to trace the route. Ten years later the staff of Izvora game farm built part of the trail and it was finished off in 2002 under the Beautiful Bulgaria project. Architectural elements were added like hanging bridges and shelters, public toilets and recreational areas.

The trail traverses the valley of Devinska River, starting from a protected area and ending in the locality Lukata. The Devinska River canyon is home to wild goats and sometimes they leave their habitat and come really close to the trail; if they are lucky, hikers are able to catch a glimpse of them. Wild goats thrive in a humid climate, so in August and September they can be seen going down to the river to drink and escape the heat.

Breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear air and silence, broken only by the chirping of birds. What more can anyone want to escape the drudgery of life in the city and take in the life-giving energy only water can give? But adding to the beauty of nature the almost magical effect of the warm mineral springs, the sense of harmony is as close to perfect as it can get. Because here, from the heart of the locality called Strouilitsa gushes the Devin mineral water, here are the open-air mineral water swimming pools, open to the public from early spring until late autumn. Rain or shine, day or night – this is a place that holds a fascination all its own. An ecotrail with mineral baths is a combination tourists find irresistible. And even though so many come here, the place has preserved its pristineness.

The trail is an excellent spot for watching protected animal species such as the otter. Anglers can try their luck here, because the waters are teeming with brown trout. What the people who built the trail were aiming at was to preserve harmony between man and nature, so there are designated places where fires can be built as well as places for disposing of waste. It is up to the people from the game farm to collect it; they also finance the maintenance of the trail. Unless conditions are created for watching the species in question, there is a very real risk of poaching or inflicting damage on the environment. It is the heartfelt desire of the staff at Izvora game farm to keep nature clean and make the place as attractive as they can to hikers.

English version: Milena Daynova