Price: The starting point of this route is a tourist town of Dzhebel in the Eastern Rhodopes. Go to the southwest, the asphalt road to the village Vodenicharsko. Its territory is maintained reserve "Chamlak". It has four kilometers from Jebel protected area is the first stop on our route.
The reserve covers 7.2 hectares on the eastern slopes of the mountain area Yellow Ridge. It was created in 1956 in order to preserve the natural forest of black pine (pinus nigra), which is a remnant of the old relict flora of the region. " Chamlak " is located about 450 meters above sea level, and the age of the trees is approximately 80 years.
The trail continues to the southwest of the reserve, which has one of the most spectacular rock formations - Broken Mountains. In essence it is a high hill in whose right side was formed huge saddle with a width of 600 and a depth of 80 meters. The phenomenon is the result of tectonic displacement caused spectacular landslide that changed the landscape in the late XIX century. Generations remember crack strong and fiery glow, as if coming from inside the mountain, which frightened in earnest locals.
The route takes us to the west, where Broken Mountain has deposits of bentonite. From it go southwest to reach the mysterious medieval fortress Asara. It was built during the Byzantine rule in Bulgarian lands (XI - XII century), built on a strategic hill near the mine today stars. In previous archaeological excavations associated with the wall two towers, one of which is "equipped" with living quarters, a chapel and a water reservoir. In the chapel found parts of medallions representing icons, decorated with gold plating. Asara is remarkable in that a large part of its fortification walls were wood, something quite unusual for the period.
Marked path takes us from the castle to hut "Ustra". It is titled Rhodope ridge, northeast of the village Ustren. The hut is water and electricity and has a dining room, kitchen and canteen. Only a mile from it rises Ustren peak ( 1114 m ), which is built one of the best preserved medieval castles far in the Rhodopes. It also named Ustra. It should be borne in mind that the cabin periodically does not work, so you need to contact in advance with the Tourist Center at the Municipality Djebel (Tel. 036 322 241 ) to schedule night elsewhere in the vicinity (eg village Ustren ) or return to starting point.
- Route
- Fortress
