Regional tourist association Stara Planina 9, Opalchenska Street 5300 Gabrovo, Bulgaria tel./fax: +359 66/ 809 161 tel: +359 66/ 807 137 fax: +359 66/ 806 199 e-mail: office e-mail: info With the financial support of the Swiss government		CENTRAL STARA PLANINA REGION TRYAVNA (11 000 residents) is situated in the northern folds of Balkan Mountains, at an attitude 440 m above sea level. The climate is suitable for treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The town lies halfway the Sofia-Varna road /250 km/. The railway line linking North to South Bulgaria runs through it. Daily buses and trains connect Tryavna with Sofia and Gabrovo. The town offers good facilities for recreation and sports all year round. It is a starting point of numerous hiking routes in the mountain. DRYANOVO (8 500 residents) is located on the Northern part of Fore-Balkan Mountains, in the valley of Dryanovska river, at an attitude of about 300 m. The town is a center of a municipality, comprising 62 villages, hamlets and huts. The town lies on the Russe - Stara Zagora highway and is a station on the main railway linking Northern with Southern Bulgaria. The most ancient traces of human life on Balkan Peninsula were discovered in Bacho Kiro Cave near Dryanovo Monastery. GABROVO (67 000 residents) is the largest town in the region. It spreads out on the banks of Yantra River at the foot of the mountain. The attitude is 392 m. above sea level. Near Gabrovo is the geographical centre of Bulgaria. Gabrovo lies 20 km North from Shipka Pass, 220 km from Sofia and 274 km from Varna. A railway line and a road network ensure links with the entire country. The town's vicinities offer good facilities for recreation and tourism. SEVLIEVO (25 000 residents) is situated in the central part of Bulgaria. For thousand of years it has been a crossroad of different civilizations. More than 100 Thracian grave mounds are preserved in the Sevlievo plain. Sevlievo is a city with a ten centuries of history. It has been established at the end of 10 century. Today it is a modern city with a developed industry. The production of many local companies is already well-known in Europe. APRILTSI (4 000 residents) huddles in a picturesque ravine at the foot of the Northern slopes of Central Balkan Mountains. It's also at the foot of Mountain's highest peak - Botev, at an attitude of 506 m. above sea level. Apriltsi is situated in an agricultural, pollutant-free region. The town lays 200 km north - east of Sofia and 300 km from Varna. Bus lines connect it with the bigger towns of the country. The town offers excellent conditions for all year round recreation and tourism. It is a convenient starting point for hiking in the high mountains, to Botev peak and to the biosphere reserves of Central Balkan National Park. TROYAN (25 000 residents) spreads out along the terraced banks of Beli Osam river at the northern foot of the Troyan - Kalofer ridge of the Balkan mountains. The attitude is 430 m. above sea level. It enjoys a moderate continental climate. The geographical position of Troyan is quite convenient - it has favourable transport links with all big cities. Nearby Troyan Pass ensures the connection of the town with Southern Bulgaria. Troyan lies 160 km from Sofia and about 300 km inland of the Black Sea coast. The town is one of the hiking centres of the country. Many tourists choose Troyan as a starting point for their hiking adventure to the high mountains and to the National Park. TETEVEN (12 000 residents) stretches out along the Vit valley. The town is situated in the northern folds of Central Balkan Mountains, at an attitude of about 415 m above sea level. Teteven is located 110 km northeast from Sofia and 400 km away from Varna. Bus lines link Teteven to the bigger towns in the country. Teteven is a starting point for climbing and hiking tours in the highest part of the mountains. LOVECH (60 000 residents)is the second biggest town of the region, a centre of a municipality and a district. A railway line and a road network ensure links with the entire country. The town is about 150 km away from Sofia, 120 km from Oryahovo Ferry on Danube River and 155 km from Russe. Lovech is a descendant of the Thracian settlement Presidium and of the Roman town Melta Greenery of the parks Stratesh and Bash Bunar bring much charm and attractiveness to the town. KAZANLAK (pop. 54,000) is to be found in the picturesque Rose Valley at the southern foothills of Stara Planina Mountains. It is known as the town of roses and Thracian kings. Nature has combined here the beauty and magnificence of the Balkan with the fertile valley of Tundja River. Average altitude reaches 350 m above sea level. Kazanlak is an economic and cultural center, capital of rose growing. It is also a lively transport center, with a major road and railway passing through. In ancient times, the territory and vicinity of present-day Kazanlak were the cradle of rich Thracian culture, which is confirmed by the numerous Thracian tombs and other artifacts. GORNA ORIAHOVITSA (pop. 34,417) is located at the northern foothill of Arbanasi Ridge, on the verge between the Sub-Balkan and the Danube Plain. This is the reason for the significant fluctuations in altitude: 92 m to 500 m above sea level. The town is one of the most important railway centers of Bulgaria. Two first-class roads from the National Road Network pass nearby. One of the five Bulgarian airports of international statute can also be found here, serving all types of aircraft. The region is very convenient for hiking, eco - and cultural tourism.
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