The Central Balkan National Park covers the high spine of the Stara Planina, the Balkan Mountains, which divide northern Bulgaria from the Thracian plain. Sokolna is one of the strict reserves within the park, on the steep southern slopes above Kalofer and Pavel Banya, where beech forests climb towards bare ridges and peaks. Its old beech woods are part of the World Heritage site of ancient beech forests, and the area is rich in wildlife, from bears and wolves to chamois and birds of prey.
The reserve itself is closed to vehicles, but the riding nearby is among the best in Bulgaria. The Shipka Pass road climbs from Kazanlak through tight hairpins and forested slopes to the monument at the top, then descends to Gabrovo on the north side. It is a steep, twisting road with good views, but the surface can be uneven and traffic heavy in summer. The road along the southern foot of the mountains, through the Rose Valley from Karlovo to Kazanlak, is flatter and faster, with stunning views of the mountains rising above. Spring and early summer are ideal, especially during the rose harvest, while winter can bring snow and closures on higher roads.
This area is steeped in history. Kalofer is the birthplace of Hristo Botev, the revolutionary poet who died fighting the Ottomans in 1876, and the town has a museum dedicated to him. Shipka Pass was the site of fierce battles during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, which led to Bulgarian independence. The Rose Valley is famous for its rose oil, used in perfumes worldwide, and the Thracian tombs near Kazanlak, including one with remarkable frescoes on the World Heritage list, testify to an ancient civilisation.
The landscape changes dramatically with altitude, from orchards and fields in the valley to beech forests and alpine meadows on the slopes. The highest peak, Botev, rises to 2,376 metres and is often shrouded in cloud. In late May and June the valley is filled with the scent of roses, and the harvest is celebrated with festivals.
Kazanlak, about twenty-three kilometres away, is the main town with fuel, food and accommodation. Kalofer and Pavel Banya are smaller but have basic services. Try local specialities like banitsa and shopska salad, and do not leave without a bottle of rose liqueur or a pot of rose jam.