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KartelaPhoto: Max Smits, Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route
The route passes Beglika and Toshkov Chark before arriving at Shiroka polyana.
The Rhodopes contain one of the largest continuous forest regions in the Balkans. Remote settlements, logging tracks, and shepherd paths still cross these mountains far from the larger towns of the plains.
The stage ends at Shiroka Polyana, a reservoir and mountain recreation area situated among dense forests and rolling highland terrain.
Author’s recommendation
Lake Beglika lies at the heart of the plateau, a still reservoir ringed by pines and soft meadows. Each summer it hosts the Beglika Festival, a small eco‑culture gathering with music, workshops, and outdoor activities that briefly brings life to this otherwise tranquil lakeshore.
Long and narrow, Lake Toshkov Chark stretches between steep, forested slopes, creating a sheltered corridor of water and woodland. Its quiet banks and irregular shoreline make it one of the more intimate reservoirs on the route.
The broad waters of Shiroka Polyana form one of the Rhodopes’ most atmospheric lake landscapes, with coves, peninsulas, and pine‑covered islands giving the reservoir a wild, intricate shoreline. The surrounding forest and open clearings make it a favourite spot for hikers and campers.
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
In the Beglika area, you may find accommodation at:- Villa Viktory
- vila Flora Diva
- vila Rayski Kat/Вила Райски кът
- NEK Holiday base Beglika.
- Camping Beglika
Camping Beglika also offers coffee from a vending machine or from the cafeteria.
At Shiroke Polyana you can find accommodation and a restaurant at:
- Romantika Forest Holliday Village
Roadbook
Crossing the Batak–Dospat road, the trail continues deeper into the Rhodope, descending gradually toward the upper Devinska River basin. Here it reaches the tranquil waters of Toshkov Chark, a quiet natural lake surrounded by dense woodland and frequented by deer and waterfowl. From the lake, the route turns west and follows forest tracks toward the protected area of Kaval Tepe, a nature preserve set on the eastern shores of the Shiroka Polyana Reservoir. This final stretch offers a sequence of open views across the lake’s island‑studded waters, marking a serene end to the stage.
Public transport
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.
Shiroka Polyana lies deep in the Western Rhodopes and is not served by public transport. The reservoir is reached only by road, most easily from Batak via the quiet Batak–Dospat road, which skirts the northern shore of the lake.
Directions
The timetable for the Batak - Dospat bus can be found on bgrazpisanie.com hereCoordinates
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