The Kaloyan Cave is located in Pchelinovo, making nature conservation a practical consideration when planning your visit. In the wider Gurkovo destination, hiking and fishing offer other options. You can therefore decide first whether cave protection, a longer day of hiking or bodies of water should be the focus of your stay.
Kaloyan Cave: Protection and Visitor Rules
The Kaloyan Cave was designated a protected natural landmark on 4 April 1980 to protect a rock formation. It is listed under code 387; the protected-area data was updated on 18 June 2007. Specific rules apply to the area: entry, passage and parking by motor vehicle are prohibited. Plants must not be picked or dug up. It is also prohibited to disturb wild animals, take young animals or eggs, or damage nests or dens. Construction is prohibited unless provided for in the approved planning document for the area. Take these requirements into account when planning your visit.
Butura Cave: Access and Bat Protection
Butura Cave is freely accessible and has protected status for a bat colony. As access conditions may change, check local information on current accessibility before your visit. Avoid disturbing the bats.
Getting There and the Landscape
Pchelinovo is in the DGS Gurkovo forest area. This encompasses the southern slopes of part of the central Balkan Mountains and the northern slopes of the eastern Sredna Gora. For road directions, the municipal road SZR 2021 runs from the Republican Pass/II-55 through Pchelinovo towards Lyava Reka. A reconstruction notice dated 27 March 2026 describes this route; the project status may change. Therefore, check the current project status before travelling.
Hiking and Bodies of Water in the Wider Gurkovo Destination
The Lyava Reka–Predela hiking trail is 15 kilometres long, with an estimated duration of about eight hours. It is connected to the international Kom–Predela–Emine route. Maintenance and signposting work is also required. Take this into account when planning, and check the current signage before setting out. With the stated time required, the trail is a focus in its own right for your stay.
In the municipality of Gurkovo, fishing is possible at the Zhrebchevo Reservoir and in the Tundscha, Radova and Lazova rivers. The Lazova and Radova rivers rise in the Balkan Mountains, flow through Gurkovo and empty into the Tundscha. Thus, in the wider destination, there are several specifically named bodies of water to choose from for fishing, alongside the hike with its stated duration.
Gurkovo’s cultural history is also represented by the collection at the Donkey Museum. It includes household items from the region and objects related to keeping and using donkeys, including carts, saddles, bags, reins, ploughs and threshing equipment. An archaeological section contains finds from the Gurkovo area dating from Thracian, Roman, Slavic, Proto-Bulgarian and medieval times. The wider destination therefore offers everyday culture and archaeology alongside its nature attractions.
When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to plan activities according to the time they take and their focus: the hiking trail takes about eight hours, while each of the caves has its own protection and access rules.
Discover more destinations: Lyava Reka.
For the wider travel overview: Gurkovo.
