Dospat: Reservoir, Nature Trails and Culture

The Municipality of Dospat is located in the Western Rhodopes. If you are looking for a hotel in Dospat, you can plan your stay around your interests: walks by the reservoir, trails through the countryside or cultural sites. The following descriptions of places and routes will help you get an overview of these options.

Promenade and Reservoir

Dospat Reservoir is 18 km long and about 1 km wide. The “Little Bosphorus” promenade runs along its shore: it is 2,120 m long, 3 m wide and exclusively for pedestrians. Along the route, there are gazebos, a barbecue area, two fire pits, tables, benches and a children’s playground. Its length and pedestrian-only designation make the promenade a clearly defined route for a walk by the water.

There are seasonal facilities for water sports and leisure near the reservoir. These include boats, pedal boats, canoes, rowing and jet skis. As these facilities are used seasonally, check on site in advance whether your chosen activity is available.

Trails and Nature in Karadzhadere

One route from Dospat follows an old paved path into the Karadzhadere protected area. The area was established to protect the otters living there, which are considered very rare and endangered. The longer Karadzhadere route is a 3–4-hour circular trail that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists. This offers different types of routes: a paved path from Dospat and a circular trail with a stated duration.

Eco Park Dospat has a 790 m-long tourist trail with rest areas, gazebos, tables and a stage. Text and images along the trail provide information about the park’s most common tree, birds and mammals, landforms, rivers and the reservoir. Check the current condition of the trail on site.

In the Karadzhadere area, the Otter Trail offers a short and a long route, as well as a floating information center about the otter. If you would like to visit the center, check on site in advance whether it is currently accessible. The attractions therefore differ in focus: the Eco Park trail combines rest areas with information on several nature topics, while the Otter Trail includes two routes and an information center about the otter.

Cultural Sites and Local History

The Rhodope Fountains Park Museum is located in the Keltepe area of Dospat, close to Eco Park and above the sports hall. An annual event is also part of the calendar: the Fountain Builders’ Gathering, also known as the Traditional Cultural Festivities, takes place at the end of August in the Sabora area under the patronage of the Mayor of the Municipality of Dospat. Check the exact dates with the municipality.

Near Tsrancha is the rock formation Skalet. It was used as a sanctuary in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, and ancient Thracian pagan rituals took place there. Also near Dospat is Pochilena Barchina, also known as Kral Markos Barchina. The site was a fortress, and there is a sanctuary on its summit. It lies 5.7 km from Dospat in the direction of Batak. The round trip takes 2–4 hours and is accessible by jeep and on foot.

Local products include cheese, kashkaval and fresh Dospat trout. The sports hall in Dospat has a swimming pool, a fitness area and facilities for basketball, mini-football and volleyball. If using the sports hall is important to your plans, check the current conditions on site in advance.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dospat, Zmeitsa, Rudozem, Borino, Smolyan, Devin, Chepelare, Madan.

Go to the main travel overview: Smolyan Province.