Balkan Mountains

The Balkan Mountains

The Balkan Mountains are a special place in Southeastern Europe. They run through Bulgaria and reach up to Serbia. These mountains are about 560 kilometres long, which is like a big stretch of nature!

One of the highest points is Botev Peak. It stands tall at 2,376 metres. Imagine climbing a very big hill — that’s how high it is! The mountains help separate water that flows to the Black Sea from water that goes to another sea far away.

There is a narrow path called the Iskar Gorge near Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. This gorge is like a special pathway through the mountains. The area also has amazing caves. One of them is Magura, where very old paintings can be found — like a giant art gallery made by nature!

The Balkan Mountains are full of life. Animals like the boar and deer live there, along with birds and other creatures. There are special protected areas, such as Central Balkan National Park, where people work hard to keep nature safe.

These mountains give the whole area its name, the Balkans. In Bulgarian, they are called Stara planina, which means “old mountain.” It’s a place where history, nature, and beautiful views come together.