The Wonderful Bridges, Yagodina Cave and Devil's Throat

The central and western Rhodopes hide some of Bulgaria’s most spectacular natural wonders. In one weekend you can see giant rock arches carved by a river, a five-level cave lived in since the Stone Age, and an underground waterfall where, legend says, Orpheus descended to the underworld.

The Wonderful Bridges

The Wonderful Bridges (Erkyupria) lie at about 1,450 m above sea level, below Golyam Persenk peak near the village of Zabardo. Thousands of years ago, the Erkyupria River flowed underground through a cave. An earthquake brought down the roof, and the river washed away the rubble, leaving two huge rock arches. The Great Bridge is about 100 m long and 45 m high, with the river running beneath it. The Small Bridge is about 150 m upstream. There’s a hut nearby, plus meadows and benches – perfect for a picnic.

Yagodina Cave

In the Buynovo Gorge near the village of Yagodina is one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful caves. It has five levels, about 10 km long in total. Visitors tour part of the middle level, with formations such as the “Wedding Veil”, cave pearls and draperies. On the uppermost level, archaeologists found a Chalcolithic dwelling (5th millennium BC). The cave was also used in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, and some of these finds are shown on the tour.

Devil’s Throat

In the Trigrad Gorge, whose sheer marble walls reach 300 m, is Devil’s Throat Cave. You enter through a man-made tunnel about 150 m long into a vast chamber. There the Trigradska River plunges into the highest underground waterfall in the Balkans (about 40 m). The way out is up 300 steep, wet steps. Legend says Orpheus went down to the underworld here in search of Eurydice.

Two-day itinerary

Day 1. Leave Sofia in the morning via Plovdiv and Asenovgrad, or via Peshtera. Picnic and walk at the Wonderful Bridges. In the evening, check in at a family hotel in Teshel, Trigrad or Devin. Optionally, have dinner at a spa complex near Devin.

Day 2. Yagodina Cave in the morning (guided tours at set times). Trigrad Gorge and Devil’s Throat in the afternoon, with lunch in Trigrad village. Head back to Sofia by early evening.

Getting there

By car – the only practical option. From Sofia, go via Plovdiv – Asenovgrad – Chepelare for the Wonderful Bridges, or via Peshtera – Batak – Dospat – Devin for the caves. Rhodope roads are narrow and winding, so drive carefully.

When to visit

May–October. The caves stay at a constant 6–8 °C all year. The road to the Wonderful Bridges may close in winter because of snow.

Practical tips

Caves can only be visited on scheduled guided tours. Check times in advance, especially out of season.
Bring a jacket and shoes with good grip. The steps in Devil’s Throat are wet and slippery.
Devil’s Throat isn’t suitable for anyone with heart or knee problems, because of the steps.
Devin is known for its mineral water and spa hotels – a great way to end the day.

Nearby

Beglika and the reservoirs around Batak – for camping and fishing. See Beglika.
Kovachevitsa, Leshten and Dolen – in the Western Rhodopes. See the stone villages.
Bachkovo Monastery – on the way from Plovdiv. See Plovdiv and Bachkovo.