“Stara Reka” is a nature reserve in the Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria, created to preserve the unique complex of broadleaf, coniferous, and mixed forests of the Stara Planina. It covers the watershed of the Stara Reka River above the town of Karlovo. Winding between steep cliffs and dotted with inviting pools, this is one of the most beautiful rivers in Bulgaria.
The reserve is best known for its plant diversity and the unique combination of coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests. In autumn, “Stara Reka” resembles an illustration from a fairy tale—this extravaganza of colours captivates forever. In terms of the number of endangered plant species, “Stara Reka” ranks among the most important reserves in Bulgaria. It is home to the thermophilic hornbeam, the European hornbeam, and the water hornbeam, as well as beech, fir, and common spruce.
The numbers speak for themselves—this is the habitat of more than 45 plant species listed in the Bulgarian Red Book, twenty of which are not found in other countries, and three of which can be seen only within the reserve. Sixty-five species of vertebrates are permanent residents of the reserve. Of these, the golden eagle, the white-tailed buzzard, the great and little goshawk, and the owl are threatened with extinction. Amphibians and reptiles found here include the tree frog, the blind frog, and the common rain frog. There are also frequent reports of the presence of the lynx, which was considered to have completely disappeared from the country in the late 1940s.
