Marvelous Bridges

The Marvelous Bridges or Wonderful Bridges (български. Чудни[те] мостове, Chudni[te] mostove) are natural arches in the Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria. They are located in the karst valley of the Erkyupriya River in the Western Rhodopes at Шаблон:Convert metres above sea level, at the foot of Persenk Peak.

Description

The "bridges" were formed by the erosive activity of the once larger Erkyupryia River. It transformed the marble clefts into a deep-water cave, the ceiling of which eroded through time and collapsed, possibly during an earthquake. Geologists suggest that the water carried the debris away.

As a result, the two remaining bridge-shaped outcrops remained. The larger one (upstream) is 15 metres at its widest and 96 metres long, and shaped by three vaulted arches, the largest of which is 45 metres high and 40 metres wide. The river flows under the middle-sized arch. The larger Wonderful Bridge is passable under the vaults, where birds nest in the marble clefts. The smaller bridge is 200 metres downstream. It is impassable to tourists, 60 metres in length, with a total height of 50 metres, 30 metres at the highest point of the arch. A third, small and inaccessible, formation follows, the entrance to a pothole where the river's waters disappear underground, reaching a sump after 3 km.

The adjacent area is wooded, with century-old conifers, mainly spruces. Many karst caves are known nearby, but most of them are undeveloped and unsuitable for tourist visits. However, both bridges can be crossed on secure trails. Two tourist huts are located nearby. The site can be reached by an asphalt road and is about 30 km from the closest town, Chepelare.

The Wonderful Bridges are included among the 100 National Touristic Places of the Bulgarian Touristic Union, under number 85.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Bozhidar Todorov
1 May 2016
The zip line through one of the bridges opens amazing view. Cool activity for thrill seekers and it's only 10 leva
Ioana Petrova
18 September 2016
Awesome views. The trolley is a great experience.
Bozhidar Todorov
1 May 2016
Try the zip line it's just 10 lv
Dessy Dukova
30 June 2015
Пътя е супер до там. Мястото е разкошно! Ресторантчето е чудесно - боб чорба, пържени картофки със сиренце, чайче - нямат грешка! Собственика се казва Емо, много приятен човек :)
Todor 14478
31 August 2014
Доста красиво място. Пътят е приличен, но доста тесен и бавен. Препоръчвам кръчмичката горе
Albena
8 September 2013
Пускането с тролей е чудесно, заслужава си и 10-те лева, и треперенето от страх.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.2/10
Alla Panova, Anatoly P. and 3,493 more people have been here
Map
14km from 86, Hvoyna, Bulgaria Get directions
Mon 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Wed Noon–5:00 PM
Thu Noon–6:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

Wonder Bridges on Foursquare

Marvelous Bridges on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Perelik Palace Hotel

starting $43

Perelik Hotel (Renovated)

starting $44

Grand Hotel Murgavets

starting $53

Holiday Village Kochorite

starting $93

Monastery 2 Aparthotel

starting $61

The Stream Resort

starting $40

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rozhen Observatory

Rozhen Observatory (also known as NAO-Rozhen) is a Bulgarian

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Snezhanka Tower

Snezhanka Tower (кула „Снежанка“) is a 156-metre-high television towe

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Golyam Perelik

Golyam Perelik (български. Голям Перелик) is the highest peak in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Bachkovo Monastery

The Bachkovo Monastery (български. Бачковски манастир, Bachkov

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Trigrad Gorge

The Trigrad Gorge (Bulgarian: Триградско ждрело, ) is a canyon of ver

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Red Church (Bulgaria)

The Red Church (Bulgarian: Червена църква, Chervena tsarkva, pro

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cathedral of Saint Vissarion of Smolyan

The Cathedral of Saint Vissarion of Smolyan (Bulgarian:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Asenova krepost

Asenova krepost (български. Асенова крепост, 'Asen's Fortress') is

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Arch of Cabo San Lucas

The arch of Cabo San Lucas, is a distinctive rock formation at the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wilson Arch

Wilson Arch, also known as Wilson's Arch, is a natural sandstone arch

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Durdle Door

Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Es Pontàs

Es Pontàs is a natural arch in the southeastern part of the island of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Prebischtor

The Prebischtor (Czech: Pravčická brána) is located in the Bohemian Sw

See all similar places