Lukovit: River, Karst and Culture

• The Iskar-Panega Geopark consists of the Karlukovo Karst Complex and Panega Landscape Park.
• Panega Attraction is located in the heart of Panega Landscape Park and operates year-round.
• The eco-trail near Aglena runs along the Vit River through the Studenets Protected Area.
• The karst area is home to the Kuklite rock formations and Prohodna Cave, which has sport climbing routes.

The Iskar-Panega Geopark brings together geological, geomorphological and paleontological sites with aesthetic, cultural and/or historical value. Its two sections have different landscape focuses: the Karlukovo Karst Complex and Panega Landscape Park.

The Karlukovo Karst Complex is a protected natural landmark within Lukovit Municipality. The Kuklite rock formations are located on the Karlukovo Karst Plateau. The Kötlen area is also home to a particularly well-defined ancient meander of the Zlatna Panega. The landscape features range from striking rock formations to a pronounced river bend.

Panega Attraction offers excursions on the Zlatna Panega. Options include a pedal boat, a rowboat, single and double kayaks, and an excursion and photography cruise boat. The kayaks differ according to the number of people they are designed for; there are also various types of boats to choose from for river excursions. Panega Attraction is located in the heart of Panega Landscape Park and operates year-round.

When planning your trip, you can consider the river as one focus alongside the karst landscape and culture. This lets you decide which kind of experience interests you most, without combining the different offerings into a single program.

The eco-trail near Aglena follows the Vit River through the Studenets Protected Area. It begins at the Slona rock formation and leads to the site of the so-called Human Cave. This identifies both the river route and two notable points along the trail.

The trail is equipped with markers, visitor areas with tables and benches, a gazebo and a shelter, a wooden bridge, information boards and signposts. These features give the trail its own character: in addition to route markers, its amenities include places to stop and information.

Prohodna Cave has sport climbing routes in several sectors and at different levels of difficulty. They are considered among the most difficult in Bulgaria. This clearly distinguishes the climbing focus from the route of the eco-trail near Aglena. A turnoff from the road to Lukovit leads to a car park at the small entrance to Prohodna Cave.

If you are interested in rock landscapes, the Karlukovo Karst Complex and the Kuklite offer further specific points of interest. The Kuklite are located on the karst plateau; the ancient meander in the Kötlen area, by contrast, represents the river landscape of Panega Park. Both features are part of the landscape, but they offer different perspectives.

The surviving Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God at Karlukovo Monastery was built in the second half of the 16th century as part of the large monastery complex. At the rock church of St. Marina, 14th-century frescoes have survived in fragments. St. Gregory also preserves fragmentary frescoes: two layers from the 14th and 17th centuries have been documented there.

The two rock churches thus represent different historical periods. The rock church of St. Marina is reached via a movable platform. This means that viewing the surviving frescoes there also involves a distinctive feature of the access structure.

If you would like to focus your search on individual destinations, also visit the pages for Lukovit and Petrevene.

Discover more destinations: Lovech, Troyan, Ugarchin, Teteven, Apriltzi and Letnitza.

Where is the Geopark’s tourist information centre?

The centre is at the start of the Iskar-Panega Geopark, in the car park just before Lukovit. There you can find maps, brochures and other information about the Geopark.

Who are the educational and information programs intended for?

The Iskar-Panega Geopark offers its educational and information programs to local residents and tourists.

What took place at the 2022 autumn fair in Rumyantsevo?

On September 10 and 11, 2022, a Banitsa Day featuring a themed culinary competition took place as part of Rumyantsevo’s traditional autumn fair.

For the main travel overview: Lovech Province.