Spring is knocking at the door and soon we will be putting the red and white strings around our wrists. The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer and if you’re really sick of the four walls of your home, or worse – office, you’re probably already thinking about your first adventures in the great outdoors. Water sports are increasingly gaining popularity and with the snow and ice melting, it will soon be time for the active season for kayak lovers. Bulgaria, fortunately, offers numerous fabulous places where sailing will not only refresh you with activity, but will fill you with positive energy.
It is a myth that kayaks are not for everyone. They’re a bit like tripe soup – only people who haven’t tried them claim they’re no good for anything. Anyone who has sat in these narrow, maneuverable and lightweight boats even once falls in love with the experience. And it couldn’t be otherwise. The scenery is truly stunning when you look at it from a new angle, gently gliding over the water.
However, when it comes to beginners, not every body of water is suitable for kayaks. Bulgaria is undoubtedly rich in waters where you can paddle, but some of them are really dangerous and if you’re not experienced with paddles, you can get yourself a headache. That’s why we’ve prepared three places that are not only safe even for those who are just getting into kayaking, but with their natural features can make this experience unforgettable.
Ognyanovo Dam
Situated at the very edge of the Sofia field, the dam seems to cut through the western slopes of the Sredna Gora to carve an intricate, almost Picasso-like figure with its water. Dozens of small picturesque coves giving the opportunity to seclude yourself in great meadows, as if made for a picnic with good friends, delicious food and lots of beer (juice for the drivers). In the late spring, the hundreds of acacia trees make for an amazing experience. They fill the air with their sweet fragrance and seem to be quietly inviting you to leave your stress on the shore and find only harmony in the water.
Pchelina Dam
Despite its shameful beginnings, the Pchelina dam is today one of the favourite places for water sports among the citizens of Sofia. Built in the 1970s, the dam was meant to settle the dirt with which the industrial zone of Pernik polluted the Struma River. Today, the industry in Pernik is almost in total collapse, which is good for the nature and the once poisonous waters of Pchelina are now welcoming and ideal for kayaks. Bulgaria offers many dams, but none is as suitable for beginners in kayaking as Pchelina. Considering it is built as a reservoir, the water is naturally extremely calm and there is almost no current, something very few dams can boast.
The natural features of the area are not to be thrown away. Part of the kayak trip is the walk to the medieval St. John Letny Church, which is perched on a rock above the waters and seems to guard anyone who enters the water. For fans of adventures not only in nature, but also on the tables, near the Pchelina Dam, just a few minutes drive away, is the cult pub Kalenata Pivnitsa. It’s always nice to say cheers after a few hours of paddling.
Iskar Dam
One of the largest dams, which has long become the center of water sports for the people of Sofia. At the far end of the lake you can see sailing yachts, jets, boats and what not. The place is also ideal for kayaks, thanks to the wide bowl, the weak current near the shores and the easy and flat access, especially from the southern part of the lake. The giant reservoir allows you to paddle for even a few hours without having to do laps, and the scenery changes constantly. You’ll have the chance to enjoy the snow-capped peaks of Rila at one end, while at the other you’ll be enchanted by the Rezni and the Black Peak of Vitosha. Everywhere you look, the view is stunning.
Little Sechko will soon be kicked out by Baba Marta and the weather will start to be a bit more generous, both in terms of sunny hours and temperatures. Spending your weekends at home when the weather outside is warm and inviting for adventure is a crime. And claiming you can’t “kayak” is an excuse. It’s time to bring some sport, adventure and great emotions into your life and we know how to bring them to you.
Contact us to share our suggestions for unique day kayaking experiences.