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Information about the route of Tectonic Ridge – Reselets Village eco-path

From Obrashtaloto parking lot, immediately before the watermill and the fulling-mill, the eco path starts along an asphalt road running parallel to Rachene Riverbed. The river spring is located at the foothills of a large water catchment dry massif, and due to the limited water flow rate, there is a rich biodiversity eco-system near the riverbed.
To the left of the road, tourists can see and visit the active watermill and fulling-mill and watch flour grinding by means of stones driven by Rachene River, washing at the fulling-mill, taste honey produced from the nearby beehives of the water-mill owner or buy Reselets water onions.
The route continues along the asphalt road to the wooden bridge over Rachene River. On the other river bank, there is a recreational zone with barbeque, and stone steps lead to Momina Salza Hut.

 


Here, there is a trifurcation of the path:

A sign at the first fork directs along a narrow forest path which, after 15 min walk, reaches Kaleto hill. On the walk, tourists can see remnants of the ancient castle wall, holly trees, lovely forest flowers, herbs, and mushrooms.
On the hill clearing, there is a viewing platform with alcove and information sign. The platform provides panoramic view of the surrounding rock heights and caves, Gadulkata rock formation and part of the canyon.
On the Tectonic Ridge, a large number of protected rare birds are nesting, and Karst formations are inhabited by bat colonies. The mountain slopes are interspersed with over 200 kinds of rare and beautiful plants.


 

 

Along the second fork, to the left of Momina Salza Hut, along a narrow forest path running parallel to Rachene River, tourist will enter a canyon, part of an old Roman road which used to connect Ulpia Escus and Serdika. The path passes through a pine forest where, nearing the ridge, in addition to the amazing flora, one can see remains of Roman houses and of the castle wall.
Kaleto Tectonic Ridge covers an area of 57.4 ha and is declared a protected territory by virtue of Order ¹708/04.04.1961 of the Forest Authority.
The unique natural phenomenon represents a region approximately 750 meters long, 30-40 m wide, with some 60 m flop. It is surrounded on all sides by vertical rocks and can be accessed via a romantic path running between them. The amazing diversity of geometric rock formations is in complete contrast to the surrounding area. The main cause for these formation is physical weathering, vertical breaking of the 70-100 m thick Matricht limestone layers and their horizontal displacement at a distance of 80-100 m. This is one of the very few places in Bulgaria inhabited by scorpions. The rocky walking terrain is interesting also for its fields of wild cabbage, forest flowers, many endemites, and ivy trees cutting into the rocks as if herbarized, and the birds circling over add additional colorfulness to the view. The path runs by the Split Rock – a large, slightly inclined monolith block the size of a ten-storey building. The local legend has that a girl who did not want to convert to Islam, threw herself from the top. In anguish, the rock split.


Several interesting rock figures can be seen along the canyon, including Gadulkata. One characteristic form of limestone terrains – caves, here are not formed by ground waters and therefore lack stalactites and stalagmites. The most remarkable cave of this route is the Dark Hole. It lies between three limestone blocks which touch one another at the top. The cave has the form of a three-wall pyramid approximately 70 m high. One edge provides a narrow entrance to the cave which, because of the draught, remains cold and dark even in summer.
The floor is uneven, triangular, covered with weathered material and moss mixed with the manure of thousands of bats inhabiting the cave.

The Hearth is another naturally formed spot in the rocks where fires smoke finds its way like a chimney between rocks. This spot can be accessed through the huge stone blocks called by the local denizens the Stone River.
Further, the path runs by the cattle-pen, Kosharata, which is fenced on one side by the rocks and which was used for cattle in the past and not is transformed into a natural recreation zone.


Further on, the path runs by the fence of the former mouflon preserve and ends at the fountain in Dobrinin Dol near Rachene River.
In summer, coolness can be found in the lake with sun bathing area and paddle wheels or in the recreation spots in the clearing which are suitable for picnicking.

The third fork of the eco-path runs in southwest direction along the asphalt road parallel to Rachene River. It passes by the sanatorium and reaches Pladnishteto area along a newly built pedestrian alley. The road leads to a large clearings where local folklore festivals take place. The clearing is suitable for tent camps or just for recreation on hot summer days because it has resting sports. The road crosses the river over a wooden pedestrian bridge and runs further to Reseleshki Kukli and Barazha weir. The weir is suitable for fishing and summer picnics.
Following Rachene River course, the barbeque and alcove are reached again and, from there, Momina Salza hut. Near the barbeque, there is a small waterfall over which the waters are calm and suitable for fishing. The pond under the waterfall is 4 m deep and wonderful for swimming and diving.
If the route is followed without deviations and along the reverbed in the direction of Reselets Village, it will end back at the eco-path beginning and the parking lot.

In addition to the aforementioned sights, near the eco-path more than 30 sites can be seen included in the list of archeological and historical cultural monuments or protected natural sites. Some of these are:
- The ancient waterfall in Dobri Dol area at 1 km to the west and 0,5 km to the southwest of the ancient castle “Kaleto”;
-Skalni Kukli rock formation – "The Sphinx - The Gate – The Lump – The Castle – The Rooster”, near the waterfall, declared by virtue of Order ¹ 3702/29.12.1972 of the Ministry of Forestry & Environment, SG # 13/13.02.1972.
-Trollius field – protected area- Order ¹ RD-720/10.06.2003 of the Ministry of Environment & Waters, SG # 60/2003.

 

 

 

 

 

This document was created within the frame of Contract ¹ BG161PO001/3.1-03/2010/044 „Development of Tourist Attraction “Kaleto Tectonic Ridge” under grant scheme BG161PO001/3.1-03/2010, “Enhancement of the development of nature, cultural and historic attractions”, êwhich is implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme “Regional Development” 2007-2013, co-funded by the European Union via the European Regional Development Fund. Cherven Bryag Municipality is solely responsible for this publication and in no circumstances whatsoever this document can be construed as reflecting the official opinion of the European Union or the Steering Body. Cherven Bryag Municipality, Pleven District, Cherven Bryag, Antim I St., zip code 5980, tel.. + 359 659 927 08, fax + 359 659 923 51, website: http://www.chervenbryag.eu, å-mail: municipality@chervenbryag.bg