STARA PLANINA (Midzor 2169 m)

Midzor is one of the highest peak of Serbia and the highest peak of Stara Planina. It is located on the border with Bulgaria, the stone that marks the top is also a mete, so you can be in Serbia with one foot and in Bulgaria with the other. Stara Planina can be reached by the highway Belgrade-Nis, via town of Svrljig, where you must turn toward village Kalna and then follow the signs to the mountain lodge “Babin Zub”, at 1550 m above sea level. From Belgrade to “Babin Zub”, it takes about 4 hours of drive (310 km).

Marked trail starts from the lodge and leads straight to the top. It takes about 2,5 hour of moderate walk to the top of Stara planina. Distance between lodge “Babin zub” and Midzor is 8 km.

Mountain lodge “Babin zub”

Path to the top is quite easy. Landscapes are beautiful, Midzor is in front of you all the time. If you are lucky, maybe you will spot wild horses. Beneath Midzor lies the longest Serbian cascade waterfall, “Monks waterfall” (232 m). Here are the pictures of this incredible mountain:

Babin zub

Below the summit are the remains of an old border house. Midzor (2169 m) is right above.

Midzor

A view from the top is magnificent! Beauty is all around, in Serbia and in Bulgaria.

On the way back, do not miss a chance to climb two more peaks: Prilepski vrh (1905 m) and Zarkova cuka (1848 m). You will recognize both peaks very easy. There is a signpost to Zarkova cuka.

Prilepski vrh and Zarkova cuka

Zarkova cuka

A view from Zarkova cuka at Prilepski vrh

Also, do not forget to conquer the rock Babin zub (1758 m). You will reach it if you follow a ski trail. The trail begins at the restaurant “Plaza”, in a small valley close to the mountain lodge.

Midzor

On your way back from Stara planina, a waterfall Bigar is a “must see”. You will find it on the road Kalna-Pirot, 5 km after you turn toward the town of Pirot. Waterfall is visible from the road.

Waterfall Bigar

June 2016.