The Iskar Gorge in Bulgaria’s Balkan Mountains is a remarkable natural wonder, spanning 43.5 miles and serving as a crucial passageway between Sofia and other major cities. Recently, a team of cave explorers embarked on an expedition that would lead to an astonishing discovery within the cave complex of the Iskar Gorge. Simeon Nenkov, Georgi Nenchev, Stanislav Asenov, Konstantin Stoichkov, and Slaveya Kostadinova ventured into the lesser-known Zidanka cave, situated just 49.2 feet from the renowned Temnata Dupka cave’s opening.
Despite being overlooked by speleologists for years, the Zidanka entrance revealed a hidden gem. Through a narrow alcove, the explorers stumbled upon a vast and awe-inspiring hall measuring 236 feet in length, 55.8 feet in width, and 49.2 feet in height. This new cave features magnificent stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, crystals, and calcite pools.
However, with the newfound publicity, preserving the delicate formations and ensuring responsible visitation has become vital concerns for the team. Their next objective is to establish a connection between Zidanka and Temnata Dupka, driven by a deep passion for exploration and a commitment to safeguarding these natural wonders. This is just one of the many iconic things to do in Bulgaria, so visitors will have plenty to experience.
- The recent cave at Iskar Gorge was discovered in May of this year.
- Five local Bulgarian cave explorers located this new cave roughly 49 feet from the entrance to Temnata Dupka.
The new cave found at Iskar Gorge in Bulgaria was discovered in May 2023, not too long before this post’s publication. Five residents of the country were exploring caves and stumbled upon this new entrance during their expedition. It’s not uncommon to find new things in the Balkans, although an entirely new cave is worth mentioning. The underground water levels throughout the Iskar Gorge can explain how this new cave was able to be located by the team of cave explorers.
This discovery is more interesting because this new cave is only 15 meters (around 49 feet) from the entry point to one of the more famous and visited caves called Temnata Dupka. Many people have been here over the years, so, shockingly, no one had located this now-discovered cave before now. Of course, nature is constantly changing, evolving, and unveiling new mysteries, so this cave may not have been as obvious before.
The experts who have scanned these caves before described the entrance to this newly-found cave as “Small, dusty, and nondescript,” proving that it’s not always a good idea to judge a book by its cover. Luckily, these five Bulgarian cave adventurers went with their guts and uncovered this magnificent location.
These top things to do in Bulgaria might also be worth it.
How Many Caves Are In The Balkan Mountains?
Balkan Mountains during the day in Bulgaria
- There are roughly 600 caves in the Balkan Mountains.
- This area of the country hosts waterfalls, coves, and underground tunnels.
- The Iskar Gorge has high levels of underground moisture, riddled with caverns/grottos.
The Balkan Mountains are filled with caves: over 600 caves, such as Ledenika, the gorge Vratsata, and Temnata Dupka. Bulgaria is known as a cave explorer’s paradise, with sprawling waterfalls, underground rock formations, and pristine hiking and climbing opportunities. One of the special aspects of the Balkan Mountains, specifically the Iskar Gorge, is the area’s high amounts of underground water. Because of this, the region is riddled with caverns and grottos.
In addition, this underground water flows into the Zhitolyub Spring and the Iskar River, two popular spots for people who want to enjoy stunning Balkan views. It’s believed that all of the caves throughout the Balkan Mountains are connected, making discoveries only one piece to a much greater puzzle. One of the reasons the five Bulgarian cave explorers could locate this new location within Iskar Gorge was by removing rock fragments, so it’s possible this could be done again.
For those wanting to spend the perfect vacation in Bulgaria, this guide might be helpful.
Can Anyone See The Caves In Iskar Gorge?
Yes! Many experienced and new hikers and rock climbers head to Iskar Gorge in the Balkan region. Whether they want to explore a new cave or take photos of the stunning surrounding landscape. There are various tours people can sign up for that depart from Sofia in Bulgaria, so this doesn’t have to be a rugged experience from start to finish.
One tour covers the stunning Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria, another popular spot for natural scenery and hiking/walking.
On top of that, people can also take a car along the road leading to the Iskar Gorge or even hop aboard a tour bus. This is a popular destination, so getting there should not be too difficult. However, it’s recommended to ensure that people go with a group into and around the caves in the Balkan Mountains for their safety.
Heading to Bulgaria’s preserved Roman Theatre may also be fun for tourists.
Source: The Travel