MAINTAINED RESERVE “DARK FOREST”

Situated in the Dabrashki part of the Western Rhodopes, at 1400-1600 m above sea level and with an area of 30.2 ha, maintained reserve “The Dark Forest” is the most valuable protected natural territory in the region.

Maintained Reserve “Dark Forest” (area 30.2 ha) has maintained reserve status since 1999. It is located about 20 km. northeast of the village of Kovachevitsa (7.8 km from the village of Leshten) in the Dabrashki part of the Western Rhodopes, at 1500-1700 m above sea level. „Dark Forest” is the most valuable protected natural landmark in the region; it is part of the century-old mixed forest – spruce, beech and fir. During the summer and autumn months you can enjoy a pedestrian tour of the century-old spruce and beech-spruce forests and admire rare plant and animal species protected by the Biodiversity Act.

Within the reserve, 92 plant species are distinguished, including endemic and protected species, as well as 119 species of vertebrates of national, European and world importance.