eTourist

Olu-dere Gorge

Harmanli, village of Ostar Kamak, village of Polyanovo in Haskovo, Bulgaria

The protected area was designated with the purpose of preserving the followingthermophilic and sub-Mediterranean oak forests, riparian formations of willows (Salix spp.), mixed common ash-alder tree formations near rivers (Fraxinus excelsior-Alnus glutinosa) as well as the protected animal species: the European tree frog (Hyla arborea), the eastern spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus balcanicus), sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus), the European worm snake (Typhlops vermicularis), the aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus), the spotted Snake (Elaphe sauromates), the Turkish Boa (Eryx jaculus), the pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), the Levant sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes), the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentiles), the short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), the black kite (Milvus migrans), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and others."

The area offers excellent conditions for a refreshing, uplifting and unforgettable outing in nature. One can also take the eco-trail which starts from the Rowing Canal and leads to the fountain known as Dyadotodorovata cheshma.

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