The mountain taiga in Rhodopes

Chervenata Stena ( The Red Wall ), South Rhodopes, East Rhodopes

In the western Rhodopes there is as yet no National Park despite the belief on nature protectors that this is a necessity. That necessity arises because in the Rhodopes, war away from the boreal forests, the most southerly forest massif formed by sub-arctic coniferous species such as the Scots pine and the spruce is located.

It looks and resembles the Siberian and the north European taiga but one should never be mistaken that despite even the presence of whortleberries that the similarity is very great. In the mountains the soils are well drained and the permanent supply of moisture for the coniferous forests is ensured by the clouds up to 1,400-1,500 m high. The low temperatures and the moisture in the air slow down the "breathing" of the trees. This compensates forests for the lack of marsh and wet terrains of the Rhodopean forest like those of the forest in the taiga.

Four reserves of relatively large area (1,000-2,000 ha) preserves areas of the west Rodopes mountain.

Beglika reserve in Rodopes

The specific mountain taiga is best represented by the Beglishka leveled meadow between 1,500-2,000 m above sea level. The late spring and early autumn frosts make it inhospitable for the beech and the fir-tree and the centenary spruce tree dominate the Beglika reserve. On limestone terrains, covering a small area, can be seen open spaces occupied by dry grass vegetation including more heat loving species such as the moor-grass, the spurge, the vetch, and the esparcet.

In the buffer zone of the reserve the only Bulgarian Habitat of milk-vetch is to be found. Numerous population of the speed-well grow in open places mainly along the forest roads on the approaches to the peak Siutkia.

The only habitat on the Balkan peninsula of the scrub cinquefoil is situated adjacent to the reserve area. Among the grass vegetation in the nearby areas rare species for Bulgaria as the violet, the avens, the marsh cinquefoil and the bedstraw can be found.

Mantaritsa reserve

The greater part of the Mantaritsa reserve is also covered by primary spruce forest. despite comparatively small variations in the height of the reserve (1,400-1,800 m) the whole "classical" differentiation within the zone of the beech and coniferous forests: beech, beech-fir, beech-spruce-fir, fir-spruce and spruce ones is represented here. Originally this reserve was proclaimed solely to protect the capercaillie and had on area of only 300 ha.

The pear and the reserve Kupena near the town of Peshtera

Going to the town of Peshtera and looking southward you cannot miss the specific form of the peak Kupena (the Dome) which gave its name to the reserve proclaimed more than 30 years ago. Its territory is distinguished by a great diversity of terrains forms, by the presence of silicate and marble rocks and by the swamp terrain at Chervivata Voda. Despite its proximity to the town of Peshtera, the natural fauna and flora is well preserved and visitors can find a remarkable wealth of plant and animal life.

The natural phenomenon Snejanka is a part of the buffer zone of the reserve. Its delicate and richly thematic sculpture fascinates the visitors.

Dupkata reserve

Dupkata reserve cannot be reached easily as it is hidden in the most distant forest between the lands of the village of Fotinovo and the town of Batak. Any local person can tell where is the meeting place of the rivers Morna and Katranjirede. The site is called Kemera and it is famous for its bridge dating from old Roman times. There at 1,000 m is the lowest point of the reserve. The Morna river meanders picturesquely through the entire length of the reserve.

Along the river rise steep slopes cut by many ridges and dotted by stone pinnacles which reach at their peaks 1,600 m above sea level. On the rocks could be found the Rhodopean haberlea and the St. John's wort (Hypericum rhodopaeum).