Geopark Iskar-Panega - a natural wonder, at arm's reach of Sofia

Have you ever wondered what to do during a lazy Saturday/Sunday? Did you ever wish for a leisurely walk amidst a natural wonder? Well, let me tell you about Geopark Iskar-Panega.

Where is the Geopark located and how to get there?

The park itself is situated at around 100km from Sofia and at around 2km from the city of Lukovit. In order to reach it, you should take the Hemus interstate, until the village of Yabalnica. After that the road leads through the countryside and you will go through the villages of Zlatna Pangea, Rumyanicevo, Petrevene and just before Lukovit you will see a large, well kept parking lot. This is our starting point and here you can find several information boards, a water tap and a snack vendor.

What is the Geopark actually?

The Geopark itself spans this whole area and the eco path follows the flow of the Zlatna Pange river. Archaeological digs have found that the spring of the former river has been used as early as the age of Romans as a healing source.

When at the starting parking, you should follow the wooden rail and go downhill. This is the most taxing part of our journey as there are quite a few steep stones and after that some steps stairs. But no worries! The fun part is just starting!

With the flow of the river.

The eco path is very easy and can be walked by even the most experienced tourist, families and elderly people. You just need to follow the signs.

Following the signs will lead through several bridges which allow to fully grasp the beauty of the area. During different seasons the colors of the landscape can vary dramatically, but they are always breathtaking.

But the best is yet to come. If you follow the path even further you will reach a point where the path is elevated over the river! The beauty and the colors of the section of the Geopark are hard to describe and the images can’t convey the full beauty of the area.

The mysteries of the cave

After you step down from the wooden platforms you will reach the Panezhka Dark Hole cave. The cave is still largely unexplored, so it’s strongly advised not to enter if you are not experienced cavers.

A few meters after the cave is the end of the trail. There you will find a large meadow with a well kept recreation and relaxation area.

Should a go?

Most definitely - YES. If you are looking for a relaxing experience for half a day, do not hesitate to visit this natural wonder.