ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF SHIPKOVO

The village of Shipkovo is situated on the northern slopes of Central Stara planina mountain, in the folds of the pre-Balkan, on the eastern slopes of the Vassiliovska planina mountain, just 20 km west of the town of Troyan and approximately 47 km southeast of the town of Teteven. The village is located in the valley of the Rajdavets River – a left tributary of Beli Ossam river, within the boundaries of National Park “Central Balkan”.

            The village of Shipkovo received its name from the first settlers because as the legends claim it was completely surrounded by dog roses. Today’s village of Shipkovo exists since 1630. Its population is 1100 people. It is located at the height of 680m above the sea level and the “Shipkovski mineral baths” resort is 700m above the sea level and spreads over the area of  45000 dcrs.

            The village of Shipkovo enjoys a moderate continental climate – cool summer and mild winter. The average annual temperature for the region is 10^o C.

            The freshness and ecologically clean nature, the unique combination of century-old beech-tree woods and different kinds of coniferous trees, the crystal-clear mountain brooks, the marvelous and mystical rocky formations and caves and healing mineral springs transform the village of Shipkovo into a majestic and unique, exceptionally preferred and often visited place.

            There are many rare tree species here, which may be of some interest to the guests in the village and the resort. In the region of the resort there are many natural landmarks, tourist attractions, routes and eco-trails. On the fascinating mountain ridges one can find wild blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a variety of mushrooms and healing fragrant herbs.

            The hunter-tourists from Bulgaria and abroad are welcome here. In the land belonging to the village they will find foes, wild boars, deers, bears, wolves and other predators. Rare species of birds of pray also roam in the sky above the village.

            The resort village has good transport connections. There are regular bus lines from the town of Troyan to the village of Shipkovo.

            THE MINERAL SPRINGS

            Except as a well-formed mountain village Shipkovo is also known for its healing mineral springs. There are two mineral springs and five drillings in the resort. The mineral water is from the sulfate-calcium-magnesium group, with a varying temperature of 18 ^o to 38^o C. The healing process consists both in drinking of mineral water and balneology procedures. The mineral water is used for the treatment of several groups of diseases and disorders:

            Gastric diseases Locomotory system disorders (arthritis, rheumatism) Neuralgic disorders, Eye disorders.

            The treatment procedures are performed in a balneology center with capacity 1000 per day. The center disposes of an open-air mineral water swimming pool.

            SURROUNDING AREAS

            The Vassiliovska planina mountain is an extremely attractive tourist site.

            The European pedestrian footpath E-3 (hut Vejen, peak Vejen, hut Eho, peak Ushite, hut Kozya stena, Troyan pass, shelter Orlovo gnezdo, hut Dermenka) also known as the Kom – Emine road passes along the central ridge of Stara Planina mountain. The trails to the huts in the region are well marked. Hut Vassiliov is located in the Vassiliovska planina mountain, 1400m above the sea level and disposes of 36 beds. It is just 2.30 hours away from the resort village of Shipkovo. The hut is a suitable starting point for the mountain peak Vassiliov – 1491m above the sea level and for the huts Koman, Kozya stena, Eho.

            Biosphere reserve “Steneto” included in the “Man and biosphere” program of UNESCO and the “Kozya stena” reserve – created to protect the edelweiss, are located near the village of Shipkovo.