The rock formations overhanging the Rusenski Lom River and its tributaries Beli Lom, Cherni Lom and Mali Lom are a magnet for nature lovers and adrenaline seekers. The whole area is known as Polomie or "Mountain under the Plain". Over the course of millennia, rivers here have carved deep valleys, forming dizzying canyons and rock formations that stretch skyward from the sunken lands below the plain. And all this rocky world is overgrown with wild vegetation. Black storks, Egyptian vultures, European roller (Coracias garrulus) and other kinds of birds fly around, as some of them are globally endangered species.

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Not far from Ruse, near the village of Basarbovo, we come upon a rock ridge with a height of about 25 m. It is this place, where the foundations of rock climbing were laid in Bulgaria more than a century ago. Mihail Mihov from the tourist association "Prista" Ruse takes us to the place:

"In 1910, rope climbing techniques were used for the first time for rock climbing purposes in Bulgaria. We are now next to the ‘Alpinist’ hut, which is currently not in very good condition, but the rocks that are in the immediate vicinity offer about 40 different routes - from the easier 5^th class to the more difficult 9th class. In the region we have several other sites for rock climbing - near the villages of Tabachka, Koshov and Pepelina. But those near the village of Basarbovo are just 10 km away from the city. They are the most accessible and the most visited by both Bulgarians and foreigners."

It turns out that this is the closest rock climbing site to the Romanian capital Bucharest and many Romanians visit the place in the weekends.

Adjacent to the climbing route is the opening of a small monk's cell, carved in the Middle Ages high into the rocks. In fact, the whole of Polomie is "punctured" by caves and holes, which in the 12th - 13th centuries were carved out by hermit monks and turned into rock monasteries. So, one can combine rock climbing with a visit to these mystical Orthodox temples. Alpinist Hut is currently neglected, the area is overgrown and not well maintained. That is why local enthusiasts have taken up its maintenance:

"Our tourist association Prista has won a project of America for Bulgaria Foundation for the next 18 months worth over 75,000 euros,” Mihail Mihov says. “We are about to carry out activities related to both the repair of the hut and the development of the climbing area. We will build Via ferrata and new routes with a lighter climbing class, suitable for children. There will also be a series of events - competitions, first steps in climbing for children, a national meeting of climbers, etc.”

The influx to the climbing routes is large, so the issue of accommodation for tourists is topical. It turns out that this spring a new campsite opened its doors nearby and it also offers bungalows in a non-standard retro style from the 1970s and 1980s. Owner Milen Todorov told us more:

"Guests can set up their caravan and camp, they can have a charcoal or gas barbecue. We have an area where people gather for celebrations. We organise children's camps, trainings... And we enjoy visits not only from Ruse, but also from abroad. Hundreds of people have already visited us."

The "Prista" Association hopes that renovation of the area will give an additional boost to tourism in region, which turns out to be a more popular destination among foreigners than among Bulgarians.

Read also:

• 7 ideas for adventurous tours in the Ruse region

• Municipality of Ivanovo: the unknown face of Bulgarian tourism

Author: Veneta Nikolova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: Veneta Nikolova