In the most southeastern part of Bulgaria, south of Bourgas in the direction of Malko Turnovo, is Bulgaria’s biggest protected area, Strandja Natural Park.

Within it are the rolling reaches of Strandja Mountain, magnificent as a spreading green sea.

Strandja Nature Park is not only the biggest in Bulgaria, but also among the most exotic. It covers 1161 sq km and touches the Black Sea coast between the villages of Rezovo and Tsarevo.

The relief of the territory is hilly, low mountainous and features deeply cut troughs with many steep dingles. Here flow the two cleanest Bulgarian rivers, the Veleka and Rezovska, while the highest point of the mountain is Golyamo Gradishte peak (709m). The usually warm and mild climate, combined with the plentiful rainfall and the high humidity, enable many plant species to thrive. The park’s symbol is the Strandjanska zelenika, an evergreen that blossoms with exceptionally beautiful violet flowers (Rhododendron ponticum). More than 75 per cent of the park’s area is covered with oak and beech trees, among which may be found species from the Caucasian region, Central Europe and the Mediterranean area. This is due to the unique location of the mountain, which has been called “a bridge between Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean”.

In Strandja there are 21 inhabited settlements with about 9000 people in all. Its history, dating back thousands of years, has bequeathed hundreds of fascinating cultural monuments, Thracian dolmens, sanctuaries and mounds. The numerous chapels and holy springs scattered all over the mountain make for entrancing discoveries.

One of the most famous and interesting events in the Strandja village of Bulgari is the nestinarstvo (fire-dancing with bare feet over glowing embers). This takes place once a year, usually at the beginning of June, attracting large numbers of visitors to the village, a place of myth and legend.

Other activities for tourists to enjoy within the mystic surroundings of Strandja include horse-riding, biking, bird-watching, walks amid the natural beauty, as well as many annual fairs in the different villages, which celebrate annually religious saints and holidays. In addition, a popular attraction is the Festival of the Zelenika, which happens every year on May 9 and 10.

For horse-riding fans, Strandja offers several daily routes of an average duration of four to five hours. The routes are between Lozenets and Varvara, Varvara-Sinemorets, Sinemorets-Brodilovo, Brodilovo-Kosti, Kosti-Sveta Troitsa or Sveta Troitsa-Lozenets.

Cycling in Strandja is an exciting experience, passing through wide spaces with pure and fresh air, reminding you that there is still a place where one can escape. Cycling in the hills is easy; you can undertake a more adrenaline-full adventure route or indulge in a three-week 1000-km tour in this mountain area, without a moment of boredom. Some of the day routes are between the villages Brushlyan and Kosti (45km), Kosti and Sinemorets (50km), Sinemorets and Lozenets (20km) or Lozenets and Primorsko (75km).

There are also several hiking routes in Strandja. One between Pismenovo, Studena, Stara Vizitsa and the village of Vizitsa is about 20km long, through the forests on old wood paths. The second route is from Sinemorets to the village of Brodilovo opposite the Veleka stream and is also about 20km. The most difficult route is between Malko Turnovo-Douzak-Stoilovo, Petrova Niva and Zvezdets about 30km. Along the way, you can see big karst springs and waterfalls.

Moreover, in the Strandja territory there are five reserves, 12 protected areas, nine nature landmarks and several century old trees, so one should be very careful not to harm the gorgeous virgin nature while visiting one of the most mysterious Bulgarian mountains.