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Wateroutlet hydropower plant, BatakPhoto: Max Smits, Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route
The route passes the Batak Hydroelectric Power Plant and Kamanite (1733) before arriving at the Kartela pass meadow.
Higher up, the landscape opens into dense conifer forests, rocky clearings, and mountain meadows. The trail passes Kamanite (1,733 m), where broad views extend across the wooded ridges and reservoirs of the western Rhodopes.
The Rhodope Mountains remained sparsely populated for centuries, with isolated hamlets, shepherd settlements, and forest tracks linking the interior valleys.
The stage ends at the Kartela meadow near Orlovetz, surrounded by the forests and high pastures of the central Rhodopes.
Author’s recommendation
On the climb from Batak, the trail passes the HPP‑Batak facilities, part of the region’s interconnected hydropower system that channels water between the Batak, Beglika, and Shiroka Polyana reservoirs. The plant sits deep in the forested valley and forms a striking hidden industrial counterpoint to the surrounding wilderness.
At the entrance to the small military post on the pass stands the Monument to Georgi Cholakov, a bust honouring the revolutionary from Veles whose memory is preserved here far from his native region. The monument is a quiet reminder of the wider liberation movements that once linked communities across the mountains.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
At this stage, no specific safety precautions are required.Tips and suggestions
At the Kartela pass, you may find accommodation at the Eco Spa villa Orlovetz. For dinner, check ahead of time.Roadbook
At the Kartela Meadow, a small military post is fronted by a commemorative bust of Georgi Cholakov, a revolutionary from Veles active in the late 19th century during the Macedonian–Adrianople liberation movements. His memorial stands at the entrance to the base, marking the site as part of the broader historical landscape of the Rhodopes, where many figures of the national revival and revolutionary period are remembered.
Public transport
Batak can be reached from Pazardzhik, which has frequent regional buses from Sofia and Plovdiv. Travellers coming from Velingrad can also reach Batak via a shorter regional (minibus)l connection.The Kartela Pass lies on the high section of the Batak–Dospat road, where the forest opens briefly at a shallow saddle between the Batak plateau and the upper Devinska valley. The road climbs steadily from Batak through dense conifer forest before levelling out at Kartela, marked by a small military post and the Monument to Georgi Cholakov. This is one of the quietest paved crossings in the Western Rhodopes, used mainly by local traffic and forestry vehicles, with long stretches of taiga‑like spruce forest on both sides.
Every other day, a bus travels the Batak - Dospat road only once, leaving Dospat early in the morning and returning from Batak early in the evening.
Directions
The most recent information on departures from Velingrad to Rakitovo and Batak can be found on ecovelingrad.com hereThe timetable for the Batak - Dospat bus can be found on bgrazpisanie.com here
Coordinates
Equipment
This stage of the Sultans Trail requires standard long-distance hiking equipment. Weather protection is essential, including rain and cold gear, depending on the season. In late spring and early summer, mosquito deterrents are strongly recommended, while during the hot season, sun protection and a sufficient water supply are essential. Reliable offline navigation tools should be carried at all times.Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions