The Central Stara Planina

Landscape and Peaks

The central section of the Stara Planina is also bounded by peaks on the north side. Its southern slopes descend steeply into the level plains, creating a sharp contrast in the landscape. From this part of the range, travelers can enjoy views of the highest peaks of the Stara Planina.

Several summits rise above 2,000 metres. Among them, the Yumrukchal (Botev Peak) stands at 2,372 metres, making it the tallest in this section.

Mountain Passes

Surprisingly, despite its great height, the central part of the Stara Planina contains some of the best mountain passes. The Araba Konak and Hainboaz (Pass of the Republic) are each less than 1,000 metres high, making them relatively easy to cross Sightseeing Turkey.

Other passes are higher, ranging between 1,300 and 1,700 metres, but they are still more accessible than might be expected. This is because the mountains here are narrower, and the surrounding plains gradually penetrate into the heart of the range.

The most famous route is the Shipka Pass (1,260 m). It has great historical importance, especially during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, when fierce battles for Bulgarian liberation were fought there.

The Eastern Stara Planina

Structure and Features

The eastern section of the Stara Planina is very different from the central and western parts. Here, the mountains are lower and less rugged. The geological folds are more superficial, and as a result, there are no very high peaks or ancient rock formations.

Instead, the range is divided into several longitudinal chains, shaped partly by the proximity of the Black Sea. Although the area does not have great summits, its structure makes it less accessible.

The Sredna Gora Mountains

Connection with Other Ranges

Running parallel to the Stara Planina to the south is the Sredna Gora mountain chain. Like the Stara Planina, it gradually decreases in height toward the east.

At the western end, the Ihtiman Mountain forms a kind of nucleus that links together the Rila, the Rhodopes, the Stara Planina, and the Sredna Gora. It also separates the river basins of the Iskar and the Maritsa.

Peaks and Valleys

The valley of the Strema River divides the Sredna Gora into two distinct sections:

The Sredna Gora proper – high, thickly forested, and picturesque

The Karadja Dagh (Roebuck Mountain) – lower but equally significant

The highest summit of the chain is Great Bogdan Peak (1,574 m).

Fertile Plains

Between the Stara Planina and the Sredna Gora lie some of Bulgaria’s most fertile plains, such as:

Zlatitsa

Karlovo

Kazanlak (famous for its production of rose oil)

Sliven

To the south, between the Rhodopes and the Sredna Gora, extends the wide and fertile Maritsa Plain, one of Bulgaria’s richest agricultural regions.

The central and eastern Stara Planina and the Sredna Gora mountains form an important part of Bulgaria’s natural geography. They provide not only dramatic landscapes and strategic passes but also fertile valleys that have supported Bulgarian culture, agriculture, and history for centuries.