Picturesque waterfall gains protected natural landmark status

The small but charming Vrabcha Waterfall has long been a popular nature getaway for residents of the Bulgarian capital seeking peace and relaxation. It is located about 80 kilometres from Sofia, in Pernik Province, near the town of Tran, right next to the first houses in the village of Vrabcha.

The Vrabcha River has carved a picturesque gorge into the limestone rocks, creating the four-metre-high Vrabcha Waterfall. Nearby, the water has carved a 20-metre-long rock tunnel, while a karst spring on the right-hand side of the rock formation provides excellent drinking water. From there, a scenic trail winds through a varied landscape to the village of Bankya in Tran Municipality.

Recently, Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova-Blagova issued an order designating Vrabcha Waterfall as a protected natural landmark. The aim is to preserve the waterfall’s natural beauty and high landscape and aesthetic value, along with the distinctive rock formations and surrounding areas, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.

The newly designated protected area covers 76.643 decares (approximately 7.66 hectares). The designation imposes restrictions on activities that could damage the natural landmark, including climbing outside established and equipped routes and damaging or removing palaeontological and archaeological finds.

The new protected status is also expected to help promote the Tran region as an attractive destination for sustainable tourism.

In 2017, a tourist guide titled Tran Region - Natural, Cultural and Historical Landmarks was published, devoting a special section to Vrabcha Waterfall.

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Edited by Tsvetana Toncheva

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov