PROJECT

VIA FERRATA - "RZHISHKA CAVE ",

"OPLETNYA" AND ROPE PARK
"POPADIN KLDENETS "
 VIA FERRATA – "RZHISHKA CAVE„

VIA FERRATA (from Latin: "iron path") is a protected climbing route

equipped with permanent metal installations such as ladders, steps, cables,
bridges, and more. This type of route allows safe passage for well-prepared
tourists who do not have their own equipment or have more basic
knowledge and skills in rock climbing. These routes are also accessible to
less experienced tourists who are familiar with the basic safety techniques
in climbing and are accompanied by an experienced guide. The aim is for
hard-to-reach alpine areas to become popular with a wider group of visitors.
In this way, via ferrata is the link facilitating the transition from standard
tourism to mountaineering.
 VIA FERRATA AROUND THE WORLD

The fact that traversing a via ferrata does not require high athletic fitness or specialized
equipment makes them a popular form of tourism worldwide. They have been built in over
1,000 locations around the world, with the most popular being in Italy, France, Switzerland
Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and others.

The Italian Dolomites are the mecca of tourist routes through steep cliffs. This style of
overcoming mountain precipices by people who are not mountaineers originated during World War I.
At that time, the first Iron Roads were built in the Dolomites, which in some places even pass
through artificial tunnels in the rocks. Through these paths, soldiers could quickly and safely reach a
desired position high in the mountains.
VIA FERRATA - DOLOMITI
 VIA FERRATA - MALYOVITSA

Today, this type of "iron path" is an increasingly popular

tourist attraction. In Bulgaria, there are also similar routes,
one of which is located near the Malyovitsa hut in the Rila
Mountains. The experiences and opinions of climbers and
tourists after the implementation of the Via Ferrata
"Malyovitsa" project are only positive. It is also the longest
iron path equipped so far in Bulgaria. The record for the
route is 160 people in one day during a Mountain Rescue
Service training in the summer of 2011. The path was built
by real mountaineers and allows one to experience the
thrill and beauty of alpine climbing.
 The Via Ferrata "Malyovitsa" traverses a rocky ridge
located to the right of Kuklata Peak. The route reaches a
panoramic ridge with wonderful views of the neighboring
Urdina Valley and all the peaks of the Malyovitsa section
of the Rila Mountains. From the end of the Via Ferrata,
you can descend along a winding path back into the
Malyovitsa hut valley or continue towards the Malyovitsa
lakes and Malyovitsa Peak itself. In winter, climbing the
iron path is unproblematic, but descending away from it
is avalanche-prone!
 The "Rzhishka Cave" Via Ferrata project,
Milanovo village, will be equipped in the Iskar Gorge
near Gara Lakatnik village, Svoge municipality. In the
"Alpine Meadow" area, there is a long-existing marked
alpine route, which is actively used for sports purposes.
The construction of a secured route with auxiliary iron
installations, such as a metal railing and U-shaped steps,
increases accessibility to the most picturesque places of
the "Lakatnik Rocks" phenomenon, without
compromising the existing climbing routes and hiking
trails. World experience shows that the coexistence of
routes with different levels of difficulty and access within
the same rock massif is entirely possible. For example, in
the Dolomites, some of the famous hiking trails have
ferratas built for safer passage through the rocks, such as
Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2.
 The main tourist advantages of the Via Ferrata concept at
"Rzhishka Cave", Milanovo village, are:
• The site is located in close proximity to the village of Gara Lakatnik,
the town of Svoge, and the regional center of Sofia city.
• The site is situated at the crossroads of a main road connecting Sofia
city and Mezdra city, intersecting the main road E79 in the North-
South direction, representing a unique corridor between Romania
and Greece.
• The location is already a popular tourist destination for both
professional mountaineers and a wider range of visitors, with
established climbing routes and tourist eco-trails, such as "Vazov's
Eco-trail" near "Gara Bov," the "Old Village" Eco-trail near
Opletnya village, and the "Grandfather Yotso is Watching" Eco-trail
near Ochindol village, the "Seven Thrones" Monastery near
Eliseyna, and the "Cherepishki" Monastery, where one of the great
Bulgarian writers, Ivan Vazov, created.
• The view is magnificent. In practice, the "Rzhishka Cave" Via
Ferrata will be technically implemented using metal profiles and
safety steel ropes attached to the rocks.
VIA FERRATA Dolomiti – fasteners
• The rock base along the "Rzhishka Cave"
Via Ferrata route is solid and suitable for the
safe construction of such routes.
• It provides an opportunity to increase the
tourist potential of the area, which will lead
to social and economic benefits. The
proximity of the railway station and the built
parking lots nearby are a prerequisite for
quick and easy access to the starting points
of the ferrata.
• There are also accompanying activities
such as rafting, trekking and cycling routes,
caving and speleology, tent camping areas
along Petrenski Dol, and horseback riding in
the Vratsa Balkan mountains.
Brief description of the location and access to the facility:
A natural landmark representing a natural rock formation. It is located in the territory of
Milanovo village, Svoge municipality, Sofia region. Directly from the parking lot on the main
road from Sofia to Mezdra, the hiking trail from Gara Lakatnik village to the "Septemberists"
Monument begins, which is 2 km and takes about 1 hour, and from there to Milanovo village
– about 30 minutes.
The approach to the site is easy and convenient and is part of the tourist route Gara Lakatnik
village – Milanovo village – Parshevitsa hut, whose starting point is near the "Pesherata"
restaurant. The path initially crosses the rocks, which is well maintained and marked, passes
through the "Alpine Meadow" area, where there are established alpine climbing routes, as
well as a built shelter. From it, there is a fork to the left for "Gradishki peak" and "Petrenski
dol," and to the right for "Rzhishka Cave" and Milanovo village.
The distance from the "Alpine Meadow" area to the "Septemberists" Monument is 30-40
minutes. The route of the path intersects that of the Via Ferrata in the area of "Rzhishka
Cave," where you can take a breath before attacking the last 3rd part of the route in three
directions: to the two "Kukli" (dolls), which are located on both sides of the cave and up
towards the Monument, and one route towards "The Cross," which route starts in close
proximity to the path, with all three routes offering unique views of the Iskar Gorge.
Altitude:
Minimum altitude 250 meters,
maximum 550 meters.
Available infrastructure and
access paths:
Marked hiking trail and asphalt road
to the beginning of the route, as well
as from the finish (the
"Septemberists" Monument) to
Milanovo village, approximately 5
km.
Current state:
The lines should be cleared of
unstable rocks, with the organization
of several platforms during the rock
processing.
 Via Ferrata – Opletnya

Opletnya village is the other large-scale project for the

construction of a Via Ferrata, the rocks of which are located
in the territory of Milanovo village, Rusinov del
neighborhood. Here, it is possible to build at least 3 via
ferrata routes, as well as to create a rope trolley from the
highest point to the base of the rocks directly next to the
parking lot. Another interesting part of this project is the
construction of capsules on the rocks, where after climbing
the iron path, one can spend the night and enjoy the stars, as
well as eat delicious local dishes. (Video + photos)
Opletnya village is located about 3 kilometers from Lakatnik
station. It is very important that access to the starting point of
the ferrata is greatly facilitated, as there is a huge parking lot
built along the road and the Iskar River. At the end of the
route, there is a dirt road leading to Milanovo village, which
can be used to transport both people and goods, making it
very accessible.
Rope Park - "Popadin Kladenets"