From Pirin through the Rhodopes and Strandzha to Western Stara Planina and Rila – each of these mountains guards its water treasures, captured through the lens of Viktor Demidov.
If you missed the first part – You can find it here!
After the distinguished photograph of Varovets Waterfall, we continue our photographic journey through Bulgaria.
The mountains hide dozens of waterfalls for us – some easily accessible, others hidden in forests, and still others requiring a long trek. But each of them rewards the effort with a different face of water.
Water tamer, i.e. H₂O
Victor Demidov commands water – a lake, a river, or a waterfall…
She flirtatiously freezes to pose for him. Sometimes.
I even came up with a rhyme...
Another time, he captures it by storm – the hard-to-reach lakes beneath mountain ridges. Or he conquers it with patience – setting up his equipment, observing, and shooting frame by frame in search of the perfect shot.
But how do you catch falling water…
It succeeds!
Enjoy the waterfalls with the precise eye and steady hand of a photographer.
Setting off on his journey, the wanderer did not imagine that there were so many picturesque waterfalls in „a human palm's span“ Bulgaria.
From picture to picture, from word to word – they became travelogues.
Bunderishki Leap
For example, if you went skiing in Bansko or hiking in the mountains, take some time for the Bunderishka River too. Along its course, in the vicinity of the town, you will see this beautiful waterfall.
There, in the vicinity of the town, to the left of the Glazne River, you will find this beautiful waterfall. And not just it. The river is only 13 kilometers long, but along its course, it forms numerous rapids and cascades.
The stream begins its journey from the Upper Bunderishko Lake at an altitude of 2310 meters in Northern Pirin. Initially, it flows northwest, collecting the waters of the remaining Bunderishko lakes, and after the Ribno Bunderishko Lake, it turns northeast.
The reason for the beautiful jumps is the large slope – an average of over 100 meters per kilometer.
At an altitude of about 1700 meters, the river forms the Bandeishki Skok – an impressive 30-meter waterfall.
In 1965, the area around it was declared a protected area.
Admire Bunderishki Skok, patiently filmed by Viktor Demidov.
Giumberjiata Waterfall
One of the easily accessible waterfalls in the Rhodope Mountains.
It is located on the Belishka River, in the vicinity of the village of Belitsa, Laki Municipality. It is declared a protected natural site and is a wonderful stop for anyone who loves the quiet corners of the mountain.
Dokuzak Waterfall
Uniquely beautiful.
See for yourself.
It is located in the Strandzha Mountains, near Malko Tarnovo.
Its name means „Nine Springs.“ It comes from the river of the same name, which originates from nine karst springs.
Clearly, the number 9 is sacred.
The waterfall is easily accessible and the hike is suitable even for children. In the area, there is a mountain hut with a fireplace and wooden tables, making it a pleasant place for a short break in nature.
Durshin Skok Waterfall
Durshin Skok is one of the three Koprenski waterfalls. For the curious – these are Lanjin Skok, Durshin Skok, and Voden Skok.
The direction is Sofia – Montana. After about 130 kilometers, one of the most beautiful adventures in the Western Balkan Mountains begins.
The waterfall cascade is located southwest of Montana, near the border with Serbia.
Durshin Skok is located on the Grafska River, in the Durshina Livada area, not far from the village of Kopilovtsi.
It is reached via the Kopren Eco-Trail, which starts precisely from the village.
There are many waterfalls along the river, but the most impressive is Durshin's Leap.
The crossing takes about five hours and is recommended to be done with a guide.
The route reaches the area below Kopren peak, and its total length is about 20 kilometers.
The most suitable time to visit is after heavy rainfall, when the waterfall is at its fullest.
Lajin Waterfall Leap
The Lazin waterfall is also part of the Koprenski waterfalls.
Although it is only about eight meters tall, it is extremely photogenic.
Sometimes it's not the height, but the shape that makes a waterfall unforgettable.
Kostenets Waterfall
The Kostenets Waterfall is located near the village of Kostenets, about 80 kilometers from Sofia.
In the foothills of Rila, somewhere between Sofia and Plovdiv, look for the village of Kostenets, not the town. The residents of the village and the town are sensitive if you confuse them.
A little after the village, there is a parking lot. Two to three minutes' walk from it, next to the fountain, is the Kostenets Waterfall.
It is about 10 meters tall.
The Chavcha River has formed interesting rock formations and several smaller cascades that you will see on your way to the main waterfall.
The Kostenets waterfall is a muse for Ivan Vazov. Part of his poem of the same name is inscribed on a wooden ornament at the beginning of the alley.
Popina Laka Waterfall and its Heart
Popina Laka Waterfall is located about 15 kilometers from the town of Sandanski, in the locality of the same name. It can be reached in about 20 minutes by car via a narrow but good asphalt road that winds through the gorge of the Sandanska Bistritsa River between the high hills.
If you are coming from Sofia and entering Sandanski, turn left at the second intersection (the first one is for the city center).
Shortly thereafter, the road leaves the town, passes by a campsite, several hydroelectric power plants of the „Sandanska Bistritsa“ cascade, a quarry, and enters the villa zone of the Popina Laka locality.
Along the entire route, you will enjoy beautiful river landscapes – large rounded stones, in places completely covered with green moss, picturesque bends, and small water cascades. On the way to the waterfall, there are several fountains and designated barbecue areas.
After the first houses in the villa zone is the „Yane Sandanski“ chalet, and about 50 meters after it is the Popina Laka waterfall itself.
Easily accessible.
Very beautiful – as can be seen from the photos.
And according to Viktor Demidov, the waterfall also has a heart.
If photos capture the moment, videos will take you even closer to the sound of the water.
On TEA's YouTube channel – „Survival. Adventure. Travel.“ you will discover more beautiful Bulgarian waterfalls filmed by Viktor Demidov.
🎥 Zanozhenski Waterfall – Vurshets (also in the Western Balkan Mountains, as a natural continuation of the mountain waterfall theme)
Perivets Waterfall
The Pervenets Waterfall, which we started with on the article's cover page, is a favorite place for relaxation for the people of Plovdiv. It is located only about 10 kilometers from the city on the hills, near the village of Pervenets.
The road passes through the village, and at its very end, in the direction of the village of Hrabrino, you will find the Pervenechka River and the waterfall. You can't miss the turn-off – the place is easily recognizable due to the several establishments around and the many parked cars on weekends.
The area is extremely suitable for a picnic by the river.
Victor chose a weekday for his visit because on Saturdays and Sundays it's hard to find a quiet spot among the dozens of companies and families.
And late autumn adds another charm to this place…
Admire!
🎥 The Dupnishka Bistritsa Waterfall is located in the Rila Mountains, and this is where our walk ends.
The photographic journey continues.
In the next part of „Photo Stories,“ we will take you to Popina Laka, Parvenets, Chestensko Usoye, and more beautiful waterfalls that prove Bulgaria is a true kingdom of living water.
See more for the author Viktor Demidov here
