It’s hard to beat a bird’s-eye-view start to a trip. This is why we began our adventure in the Kobilini Steni (Mare’s Walls) area of the Vratsa Balkan — the section of the Balkan Mountain Range enveloping the town of Vratsa, in northwestern Bulgaria. In addition to breathtaking views of Bulgaria’s longest river canyon, you can also see some of the most impressive rock formations nationwide.

According to legend, the medieval hero Krali Marko tested his strength on the rocks in the Kobilini Steni area. Who else could carve such magnificence?

It’s no coincidence that Polina Avramova and Plamen Krustev from the nearby village of Opletnya named their tourism association Kobilini Steni. The rocky viewpoint is a popular local attraction and one of the couple’s favorite places. It’s in the embrace of the mountain that their love story began four years ago.

The two work in Sofia but met in Opletnya. Plamen’s family hails from there, and Polina bought a house in the village at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. She was drawn by the views and the opportunities for climbing and other outdoor sports.

“There’s no stress there.” This is how Polina explains why she and Plamen spend two and a half hours on the road daily so they can start and end the day in the mountains while keeping up with their jobs in Sofia.

The two generously share their passion for the mountains with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to setting up a free-access camping area in Opletnya, Polina, Plamen, and other volunteers maintain the walking trails in the region. They successfully upgraded the nine-kilometer “Slana Voda – Kozya Voda” nature trail near Opletnya, equipping it with rest stops and new signs and providing regular maintenance.

If you want to impress your partner with an unconventional gift, Polina and Plamen have the perfect solution: rent a night in a clear tent in the Kobilini Steni area, affording a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of mountains, canyons, and the Danube Plain in the northeast. The resulting photos are sure to be the envy of Facebook.

Polina and Plamen also offer accommodation in the beautifully restored Pachova House in Opletnya.

Support for the Kobilini Steni Association is part of the America for Bulgaria Foundation’s long-term efforts to promote economic development in the Bulgarian North through entrepreneurship and tourism.