Stara Planina

Geographical location

Stara planina is a high mountain massif that belongs to the group of crown mountains. The main ridge is about 600 kilometers long and stretches from Zaječar to the Black Sea.

Stara planina also has another name - Balkan, so the Balkan Peninsula was named after this mountain. The highest peak along the border with Bulgaria on Stara planina is Midžor, which is at an altitude of 2,169 meters. The part of Stara Planina that stretches through Serbia belongs to the municipalities of Zaječar, Knjaževac, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad. The area of the Stara planina massif that covers Serbia is 1,802 thousand square meters.

Climate

Stara planina has a moderately continental climate, which changes in relation to the altitude and position of the mountain. The area from 1,100 to 1,900 meters above sea level is under snow for almost five months and offers the possibility of making long tracks for alpine skiing.

Flora and fauna

One of the most beautiful landscapes of Stara planina is the Babin zub nature reserve, which is located at an altitude of 1,758 meters. Steep slopes, sharp ascents, marvelous waterfalls that surround forests on all sides, fields of forest fruits and rich forests provide the opportunity for the development of various forms of tourism throughout the year.

The plant and animal life on Stara planina is very rich, so at the foot of Baba's Tooth there is a habitat of Subalpine beech, while there are trout in the streams and rivers. It also abounds in medicinal herbs and mushrooms, and is home to many endemic plant species.

Friendly hosts and local specialties

In the villages at the foot of Stara Planina, you will be greeted by friendly hosts, always ready to entertain travelers with a rich, characteristic meal, on which you will definitely find "belmuž" made of cheese and corn flour, which is a specialty of eastern Serbia. On the table you will also find homemade honey, brandy, dried meat, prebranica...

Tourism throughout the year

The luxurious beauty of Stara Planina conquers and captivates not only in winter, but throughout the year. It is an ideal place for lovers of untouched nature, those who want to discover the immense wealth of this mountain beauty in the east of Serbia, and also for winter sports lovers, considering that a ski center is under construction, which will very soon become one of the largest and most important ski centers in Serbia. , especially intended for fans of ski sports and quality skiing.

Since January 2012, fans of winter sports have at their disposal 13 kilometers of ski slopes under artificial snow, a new four-seater and gondola and anchor. In addition, the gondola connects the new hotel on the Jabučka plain with the ski resort on Konjarnik. In the ski center Stara planina, a system for artificial snow was built, so that even in the case of a lack of natural snow, visitors to the center could enjoy winter sports. The Sunčana Dolina track in the Stara Planina Ski Center received FIS homologation for organizing slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom races. Recently, the first free ride track on Stara planina was launched, offering you a ride in deep snow.

We could talk to you for a long time about the beauty and future of this mountain, but the best thing is to come and see for yourself :)