Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
specialities. The cosy folk decor is enhanced by the open oven, where you can watch the
chef baking huge, crunchy slabs of bread.
Information
At the time of research, the municipal tourist office remained closed. Enquiring at your
hotel or at the regional tourist office (
Click here
)
back in Smolyan is your best bet.
Hotels and restaurants have wi-fi. ATMs are along the main street, by the House of Cul-
ture, and at Orpheas Spa & Resort.
THE CAVES OF TRIGRAD & YAGODINA
The most accessible and developed Rodopi caves are south of Devin, near Trigrad and Yagodina. Admission to both
caves includes a guided tour, in Bulgarian only.
The
Trigrad Cave
(Dyavolskoto Gurlo Peshtera; 0889052208; admission 3 lv; 9am-5pm May-Sep,
shorter hr rest of year)
, also called the Devil's Throat Cave (Dyavolskoto Gurlo Peshtera) has extensive and spele-
ologically significant grottoes. The mandatory 20-minute guided tour requires three or four tourists; you can stay
longer, under the caretaker's supervision. As you descend, you can hear (but unfortunately not see) a 45m-high wa-
terfall. Exiting involves a somewhat daunting set of steep steps. You may see a (harmless) bat or two flitting about.
The spectacular 8km
Yagodina Cave
( 03419-200; admission 4 lv; 9am-5pm May-Sep, shorter hr rest of
yr)
is the longest known Rodopi cave and, with its many abysses and labyrinthine tunnels, also one of Bulgaria's
deepest. The 45-minute tour highlights the remarkable stalagmites and stalactites, which resemble curtains, and
mentions the neolithic settlers who lived here 8000 years ago. Visitor numbers permitting, tours leave on the hour
every hour between 9am and 4pm, except at midday. From 1 October to 1 May, at least six visitors are required for
the tour; otherwise, you pay 15 lv. In summer, 10 visitors (or 25 lv) are required. Remember that no matter how hot
it may be, caves are chilly, so pack extra clothes.
Trigrad village is 2.3km south of the road from the cave entrance. The cave is 6.4km south of the turn-off along
the Smolyan-Dospat road, and 3km south of Yagodina.
You can hike to Trigrad, or ask for directions in Yagodina to the
South Rodopi Ecotrail
; contact Smolyan's tour-
ist office (
Click here
)
for details.
