Driving through Buynovo Gorge, a Bulgarian cliff road
Buynovo Gorge is a very scenic limestone canyon located in the Smoljan Province of Bulgaria. The road through the gorge is pretty challenging yet scenic.
Can you drive through Buynovo Gorge in Bulgaria?
Located in the eastern part of the Rhodopi mountain, between the villages of Yagodina and Teshel, the gorge (the longest one in Bulgaria) was carved by the Buynovska River, a tributary of the Vacha River. A narrow mountain road runs through the gorge.
How long is the road through Buynovo Gorge?
The road through the gorge is 16.2 km (10.06 miles) long, running north-south from Teshel to Buinovo.
How long does it take to drive the Buynovo Gorge?
Tucked away in the southern part of the country, to drive the road without stopping will take most people between 35 and 50 minutes.
Is the road through Buynovo Gorge difficult?
The road through the gorge in the upper part of the Buynovo River is paved but very narrow in parts. It’s a defiant road that winds along the base of the cliffs. It is a one-lane road with traffic in both directions, not suitable for oversized vehicles or impatient drivers. Some sections of the road are totally impassable for 2 cars at the same time. The narrowest point of the gorge is called Vuclhi Skok (“The Wolfs’ Leap”). Locals say that during winter wolves would leap the chasm to attack the sheepfolds. At this spot, the cliffs from the two sides of the gorge almost touch each other at height of three to four m above the road. Running parallel to the Buynovo Gorge is the equally impressive Trigrad Gorge.
Is the Buynovo Gorge worth it?
The Buynovo gorge was named natural landmark in 1971. It is an amazingly beautiful natural sight, created by the rough mountainous waters that have cut the limestone rocks. At the end of the gorge is situated one of the most beautiful caves of the country - Yagodinska cave. It is the longest cave in the Rhodope Mountains at 8,05 meters, of which roughly 1½ kilometers is open to tourists. Near the Yagodina is the beautiful Sanchov Cave. However, tourists can only visit this cave with proper equipment and accompanied by a guide. The region is famous for its great diversity of animal and plant species.