Yamna – Hiking Trails, Waterfall and Chertigrad

Yamna lies in the Balkan Mountains near the small mountain river Zlata. Forests and mountain scenery define the area. When planning your trip, the main highlights are nature trails and historical sites: Vrana Voda is a waterfall, and Chertigrad is an ancient Thracian fortress. The routes differ considerably in the time they take and where they start. There are also two recurring events during the year: the traditional spring hike to Chertigrad and Yamna’s winter festival. You can decide whether to focus on the waterfall, a longer hike to a historical site, or a local tradition.

Vrana Voda: Waterfall and Approach

Vrana Voda is about 15 meters high. It is formed by a karst spring flowing over a travertine terrace above the Stara River. The waterfall trail is considered easy and suitable for children. The approach to Vrana Voda starts in Padesh: first, follow a cart track, then continue along a forest path. The uphill walk takes about 30 minutes. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out. A yellow-marked route leads from Etropole Monastery via Suha Raven to Vrana Voda near Yamna. Here too, take the trail markings and conditions into account before your hike.

Chertigrad and Historical Trails

Chertigrad is considered an ancient Thracian fortress, and remains are still visible today. The fortress stands on a high plateau between Yamna and the villages of Brusen, Lopyan and Cherni Vit. Cliffs surround the plateau and rise up to 100 meters. From Upper Yamna, at the Obrashaloto bus stop, a marked trail leads via Zebrovitsa to the fortress. Allow about two hours for the hike. Compared with the approximately 30-minute ascent to Vrana Voda, the route to Chertigrad is the longer of the two hikes described here. Check the trail markings and conditions before setting out, as they can change.

A traditional hike to Chertigrad is organized each year around late April or early May; exact dates vary. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the event date in advance. Georgi Benkovski’s hideout during the April Uprising is associated with Benkovska Cave. From Chertigrad, it is about an hour’s walk to the cave; walking time may vary depending on conditions. The national hiking trail “In the Footsteps of Benkovski” passes through Upper Yamna and continues toward Benkovska Cave and Chertigrad. This offers more than just the Thracian fortress: there is also a historical connection to the April Uprising and other signposted hiking routes.

Nature, Traditions and Getting There

The local wildlife is also part of the area’s natural character. Local accounts mention foxes, wild boar, snakes and songbirds around Yamna. The village’s annual winter festival takes place after the week of Saint Athanasius. Together with the spring hike to Chertigrad, this creates a seasonal contrast: one event takes place around late April or early May, while the other is tied to the week of Saint Athanasius.

A year-round service on the Etropole–Yamna route is scheduled to depart at 13:35. Timetables may change, so check the departure time before your trip. When choosing your travel dates, both this service information and the date of the Chertigrad hike may be helpful. For the excursions themselves, the stated walking times provide a guide: about 30 minutes uphill to Vrana Voda, around two hours from Upper Yamna to Chertigrad, and about an hour on foot from Chertigrad to Benkovska Cave. Bear in mind that trail conditions and actual walking times can vary.

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