STARA PLANINA (Old Mountain) is the largest and maybe the most beautiful mountain range in Serbia. Stara Planina (Old Mountain) is located in eastern part of Serbia. Actually, this mountain range is the western part of wider Stara Planina (Mt Balkan) massif and that's the natural border between Serbia and Bulgaria, which is 90 km long. The highest peak of Serbian part of Stara Planina range is Midžor (2170 m).

The summit of Midžor (2170 m)

Stara Planina , major mountain range of the Balkan Peninsula and Bulgaria, extending c.350 mi (560 km) from E Serbia through central Bulgaria to the Black Sea. It rises to 7,794 ft (2,376 m) at Botev, the highest peak. The Balkans are a continuation of the Carpathian Mts.

Stara Planina is the home of untouchable devine nature, many river springs, beautifully waterfalls, red rocks and red ground, wonderfully "Asteriks" etno mountain villages, monasteries and churches... The forested range is sparsely populated and rich in a variety of minerals.

The highest peaks of Stara Planina are:

Midžor (2170 m)

Tri Cuke (1936 m)

Žarkova Cuka (1848 m)

Babin Zub (1758 m)

Routes Overview

Red rocks in the beautiful Temstica River Canyon

People mostly use two routes to climb Midžor (2170 m) peak, the highest peak of Stara Planina:

1. Babin Zub Hotel - Midžor: 2,30h - 3h
2. Topli Do village - Midžor: 4h - 4,30h

First one starting from SW side of Midžor massif and that's usual approach to the summit. Second option starting from Midžor's S side and that's the longer solution, even still very nice.

Getting There

Topli Do village

Belgrade - Pirot - Stara Planina (Babin Zub Hotel)
Belgrade - Pirot - Stara Planina (Topli Do village)
Belgrade - Knjazevac - Stara Planina

From the towns of Pirot and Knjaževac, the massif of Stara Planina is 55 km far. Common place for stay is Babin Zub Hotel.

Camping

Waterfall Bigar

You can stay in three star Hotel "Babin Zub", which is nestled right below the same name mountain summit (1758 m). The hotel was built in 2000 and it is very well maintained. All rooms are nice and cozy. This three star hotel is situated below Babin Zub mountain peak on elevation of 1500 m above sea level.

This is common place when people planning to climb Midžor (2170 m) peak.

Mountain Conditions

Landscape

Tri Cuke

5 days weather meteo for Pirot town.

The area has a typical sub - Alpine climate with a considerable number of sunny days, heavy snowfall... On Stara Planina you can find snow about 120 days per year.

Red Tape

Mrazovac flowers

No fees or extra fees for entering the Stara Planina.
No permits needed either.
Usual rules of behaviour for NP's do apply.

Images



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