ST503 Yarlovo - Belchin (valley route)

From Yarlovo, this route follows the quiet floor of the Palakaria Valley, a long, open corridor running between the Verila range to the south and the foothills of Vitosha to the north. The trail stays close to the Palakaria River as it meanders through meadows, small farms, and scattered orchards, offering wide views of the surrounding ridgelines. The walking here is gentle and pastoral, offering a calm contrast to the high‑mountain terrain above. As the valley broadens, the route approaches Belchin, where the thermal springs and the hilltop fortress of Tsari Mali Grad mark the end of this peaceful passage through one of western Bulgaria’s most serene rural landscapes.