Lakatnik Rocks

Between the valleys of the rivers Proboinitsa and Dolo, on the left slope of the Iskar Gorge, the magnificent Lakatnik Rocks are among Bulgaria’s objects of national pride. They are built by hirozontal limestone layers and their steep rocky slopes form walls, 260m high, rising above the Iskar River underneath. These stone walls are the perfect challenge for any climber. There is even an alpine shelter, Orlovo Gnezdo (Eagle’s nest), among the almost vertical rocks. It was built in 1938 by the members of Bulgarian Alpine Club and can shelter four mountaineers during their alpine climbing mission.

The actual name of the rocks comes form the name of the sharp turn that the Iskar River makes to the northeast. Nearby the Lakatnik Rocks is located the famous Temnata Dupka (the Dark Whole) Cave and 1 hour-walk away along a marked route flows one of the highest Bulgarian waterfalls, the Skaklya Waterfall (85 metres high). A unique piece of nature’s art, the Lakatnik Rocks were included in Bulgaria’s list of natural landmarks in 1966. Since 1989 they are proclaimed a protected locality and are included in the natural park Vratsa Balkan.