GOSTILITSA
Devetashka Caves &
Krushuna Waterfall
These two sites are in fairly close proximity to each other, and visiting them both makes for a nice full day out.
​
The Devetashka Caves
​
These are located about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Gostilitsa near the village of Devetaki.
Evidence shows they've been used by people as a dwelling place for thousands of years, though more recently as a storage depot for fuel and food during communist times, and as a film location for The Expendibles 2.
There's a car park just near the ticket kiosk (3 levs per adult) and a little souvenir stand, and then you cross the footbridge over the river Osam before entering the caves. The height of them is quite immense, and the air is full of the cooing and flapping of dozens of pigeons who perch in little rocky holes and ledges way up high. When you first stand there it's hard to take it all in - you're in this cathedral like dome with the sun filtering down through holes in the roof, lighting up lush greenery which has sprouted up all along the little stream which flows out of the caves.
​
Apart from the pigeons the caves are also home to literally thousands of bats. The information board mentioned four species but I've read elsewhere that there are 15 types of bat resident here. As you go further in away from the entrance you can hear them squeaking and occasionally one will fly out of one hole in the roof and swoop into another. At the very far end there are no more roof openings so the caves are in total darkness, and that's where the majority of the bats roost during the day. This area is closed to the public to protect the bats. The caves themselves are also totally closed during the bat breeding season which is in June/July, so if you plan on visiting near that time it might be best to phone the Lovech tourist office first.
​
​
Krushuna Waterfalls
​
These are about another 20 minute drive from the Devetashka caves. There is a car park when you arrive and a ticket kiosk (adult ticket 3 levs). There were quite a few souvenir kiosks and food stands around too, but we just headed directly for the falls. The route passes a hotel and an open air swimming pool, before arriving at some small restaurants and the proper beginning to the routes.
​
There's a map of the trails which are also clearly marked once you set off. There are two basic routes, red and blue, which both lead up to the biggest waterfall. Unfortunately the link route between the two is out of action at the moment so you can either come all the way back down and then up the other side in order to see everything, or take a risk and make your own way between the two.
​
Apart from just enjoying a lovely stroll through the forests, the trails take you to a cave with a river emerging from it, a waterfall pouring over the entrance to a small cave which you can stand inside (if you can brave the icy droplets first), the beautiful tall main waterfall which cascades down a series of drops and blue tinged pools, and some wider blue pools. Allow a good couple of hours at least to enjoy the beauty of this place (and maybe a little swim if no one's around).
​
​
