Vitosha is almost circular in shape, with a diameter of 20–25 km, an area of 278 km², and an average elevation of 1,500 m. It is composed of a massive monzonite (syenite) pluton at the mountain’s core, embedded within Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks, overlain in places along the northern periphery by Tertiary conglomerates and sandstones.
Vitosha is exceptionally rich in water resources—springs, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. The main watershed of the Balkan Peninsula runs along the mountain’s ridge, separating the Aegean and Black Sea drainage basins. All rivers originating in Vitosha are tributaries of the Iskar or the Struma, and since these two major rivers belong to different drainage basins—the Black Sea and the Aegean, respectively—the rivers of Vitosha are also divided into two groups: some flow into the Black Sea, while the others flow into the Aegean Sea.
The Vitosha region has abundant mineral springs—in Pancharevo, Zheleznitsa, Rudartsi, and Knyazhevo. Karst springs are found in its southern part, the most famous of which is “Zhivata Voda” in the “Vreloto” area, above Bosnek.
Forests cover over 50% of the mountain’s total area, pastures account for 25%, and the remaining areas consist of rock massifs, scree slopes, and areas that, due to topographical features, cannot be forested.
About 1,500 species of higher plants have been identified in the Vitosha area, which is nearly 50% of all species described in Bulgaria; 52 of these are listed in Bulgaria’s Red Book as endangered species. Vitosha is home to 236 species of birds, large and small mammals, and 11 species of bats.
Vitosha is famous for the unique natural phenomenon known as “stone rivers,” which consist of accumulations of massive granite boulders in many of the river valleys. Stone rivers of this type can be seen only on Vitosha.
