It extends across parts of 14 Bulgarian regions. The area of the Stara Planina mountain range within Bulgaria is 11,596.4 km², with a length of 530 km and a width ranging from 15 km (in the central part) to 50 km (in the western and eastern parts). Its average elevation is 722 m. Its territory includes many nature parks, protected areas, and one national park.
In antiquity, the mountain was called Hemus or Hemos, from Ancient Greek and Latin, and later Kojabalkán or Balkan, from Turkish.
The geological composition of the Stara Planina includes a variety of rocks, such as limestone, sandstone, shale, and granite, which form a complex structure of peaks, ridges, valleys, and plateaus. The mountain range is divided into three main parts—Western, Central, and Eastern Stara Planina—each of which is distinguished by its own characteristic features.
Stara Planina has played a significant role in the history of Bulgaria. The Balkan Mountains serve as a natural barrier between northern and southern Bulgaria and, in the past, were a key defensive line and the site of many decisive battles against hostile forces that invaded Bulgarian lands. For this reason, visitors to the Stara Planina Mountains will discover numerous cultural and historical landmarks that preserve the memory and traces of these battles.
A large number of rivers originate in the Stara Planina Mountains—the Lom, Ogosta, Malak Iskar, Osam, Yantra, Vit, Vidima, Luda Kamchia, Stryama, Tundzha, and Nishava.
The dense forests of the Balkans are home to numerous tree species, including oak, beech, and fir, while its alpine meadows are adorned with wildflowers such as edelweiss and tintyava.
The Central Balkan National Park is home to numerous rare plant and animal species, including endemic plants such as the Stara Planina primrose. In addition, the park serves as a refuge for large predators such as bears, wolves, and lynx. The abundance of waterfalls, such as Paradise Spray (125 meters)—the highest waterfall in Bulgaria—also contributes to the region’s unique beauty.
