Tran: Gorges, Waterfall and Culture

Gorges, River and Waterfall

The Yablanitsa Gorge lies between Vrabcha, Transka Bankya and Tran. It was formed by the Yablanitsa River and is designated a natural landmark in the areas of the town of Tran and the village of Bankya, in Tran Municipality. An eco-trail leads through karst-erosion landforms and rich natural surroundings. The trail starts in the village of Transka Bankya. If you are interested in hiking, you can take this starting point into account when planning your trip.

The Erma Gorge also offers its own nature experiences: visitors can observe distinctive flora and fauna, as well as numerous endemic species. The eco-trail passes through the artificially created tunnel in the rock “Zhilav kamak” and leads to a viewing platform on the rock “Tsarkvishteto”. There is also a landscaped park by the river where you can take a rest. The gorges therefore offer specific destinations for days focused on nature and trails.

Vrabcha Waterfall is designated a natural landmark in the area of the village of Vrabcha. In addition to the four-metre-high waterfall, the water has carved a 20-metre-deep rock tunnel. A small path beside the road to Vrabcha follows the Vrabchanska River; the waterfall is about a 15-minute walk away. The approximate walking time can help you fit this short visit into your day’s plans.

Chapel, Museum and Historic Traces

Footprints and handprints of the saint, as well as a petrified loaf of bread, are still visible in the rock chapel of Sveta Petka. The chapel is designated an archaeological cultural monument. Seasonal opening times apply: in summer, it is open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In winter, visits are possible from Wednesday to Sunday by telephone appointment made the day before; the chapel is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you plan to visit the chapel, schedule your visit in accordance with these conditions.

At the Yoghurt Museum, you can learn more about Dr. Stamen Grigorov, the discoverer of the bacterium Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which is the basis of yoghurt culture. The exhibition presents the history of yoghurt, from home fermentation to modern technologies. The History Museum in Tran complements this with history and art history departments. If you are interested in culture, you can include history, art and the development of an everyday food in your choice of destinations.

The church of Erul Monastery also offers different historical points of interest: its architecture is characteristic of the period from the 11th to the 14th century, and the church also houses valuable old icons from the 17th and 18th centuries. Beside the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Nasalevtsi stands an oak tree that is more than six centuries old. These details give visitors interested in cultural history different reasons to include these places in their trip.

Getting Around on Foot or by Bike

Cyclists can choose between two routes with different descriptions. A nine-kilometre mountain bike route runs through the Zhdreloto and Bogoina areas. The start and finish are at the information centre, and the difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. By contrast, cycle route 102 of the “VeloErul” circular route is 27 kilometres long and takes about four hours. It passes through the village of Erul, is rated moderate, follows mixed terrain and is marked in blue. The distance, approximate duration and difficulty rating offer practical guidance when planning your cycling days.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Tran, your plans for excursions can be a useful guide: consider which destinations interest you most and include their respective starting points in your search.

Discover More Places

For further orientation, you can also find Gorochevtsi, Vukan and Tran. More destinations: Pernik, Radomir, Breznik, Kovachevtzi, Zemen.

For the overview of the wider region: Pernik Province.