Pchelinovo: Kaloyan Cave and nature at a glance

Pchelinovo is home to the protected Kaloyan Cave; the village is part of the DGS Gurkovo forestry area. For nature, hiking and culture, you can broaden your view to the wider destination of Gurkovo.

Kaloyan Cave: protection and visitor rules

Kaloyan Cave was declared a protected natural landmark on 4 April 1980; its registry code is 387. It was designated to protect a rock formation. The protected-area data was updated on 18 June 2007.

Entering or driving through Kaloyan Cave in motor vehicles, as well as parking, is prohibited. Plants must not be picked or uprooted. Wildlife must not be disturbed; young animals or eggs must not be taken, and nests or burrows must not be damaged. Construction is also prohibited unless provided for in an approved planning document for the area. Keep these rules in mind when planning your visit.

Other caves and protection information

Butura Cave is freely accessible; check the access conditions locally before your visit, as they may change. The cave also has protected status to safeguard a bat colony. Do not disturb the animals and follow the latest access guidance.

On 12 July 2007, the area listed for the Ozhdren Cave protected area was updated from 20,000 to 19,754 decares. This dated entry also offers a specific view of the protection status of a cave in the area.

Nature and waterways in the wider destination of Gurkovo

Pchelinovo is part of the DGS Gurkovo forestry area. This area covers the southern slopes of part of the Central Balkan Mountains and the northern slopes of the eastern Sredna Gora. The description of the forestry area places the village in the context of a wider landscape.

In the wider destination of Gurkovo, the Lazova and Radova rivers rise in the Balkan Mountains, flow through Gurkovo and join the Tundzha. Zhrebchevo Reservoir lies on the southern edge of the municipality. Fishing is possible at the reservoir and on the Tundzha, Radova and Lazova rivers within Gurkovo Municipality. These waterways offer different options for travelers interested in river landscapes or fishing.

Gurkovo Municipality is in central Bulgaria, in Stara Zagora Province, on the eastern edge of the Valley of Roses and at the southern end of the Republican Pass, also known as Hainboaz. Municipal road SZR 2021 connects the Republican Pass/II-55 through Pchelinovo toward Lyava Reka. A reconstruction notice dated 27 March 2026 concerns this connection; the project status may change. Check the latest information before setting out.

Hiking in the wider area

The Lyava Reka–Predela eco-trail in Gurkovo Municipality is 15 km long, with an estimated duration of about eight hours. The route connects to the international Kom–Emine hiking trail. The municipal program identifies maintenance and signposting work as necessary for the trail. The stated duration provides a specific timeframe for planning your hike; check for current route information in advance.

Culture in the wider destination of Gurkovo

The Church of Sveti Dimitar in Gurkovo is a cultural landmark built in 1860. The Donkey Museum collection includes household items from the region, as well as objects related to keeping and using donkeys. These include carts, saddles, bags, reins, ploughs and threshing equipment. An archaeological section of the Donkey Museum features finds from the area around Gurkovo dating to the Thracian, Roman, Slavic, Proto-Bulgarian and medieval periods.

Another point of historical interest lies near the village of Konare in Gurkovo Municipality: a Roman villa rustica, dated to the 2nd to 4th centuries, was excavated there in 2017. Finds include a pool, a steam bath with underfloor heating, three changing rooms and a hot-air heating system supplied by external fireboxes. The site has been conserved and is awaiting funding for further research.

Discover more destinations: Lyava Reka.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Gurkovo.