The “Thracian mounds” route is located near Koprivshtitsa, it’s an easy one and short as a time to pass.

The first part is mainly ascent but not a hard one and if you walk in a normal tempo even not very skilled tourist can make it. The second part is mainly descended through the pine forest and it’s very pleasant and relaxing.

From “20th of April” Sq. you take the way in direction of Plovdiv and Strelcha to the end of the town. You have to pass by a big hotel complex, on the left riverside and just after it turn left. The road goes between the complex and a dairy farm in the right and reaches an ascent hill. This is also a starting point for reaching Bogdan peak. The road to “Thracian mounds” goes uphill. There are signs and color marking for both routes.

The road goes on steep slope through pine forest. The higher you go the most beautiful view of Koprivshtitsa and its vicinity lay in front. The marking is visible, there are no forks and the route is easy to follow. It is a good idea to have water with you because this part is the hardest and there are no fountains along the route. After the forest there are meadows and potato sowings along the road and right at the left side is the chapel St. Spas. It is situated in the far away part of the meadow surrounded with pine threes. There is a marking sign but is not very visible and can be missed. Near the chapel is a resting area with wooden benches and tables. If you feel little tired now is the moment to have some rest because the route continues uphill, across the fields and in sunny day it might be tiring.

You need to go back to the road you turned aside to go to the chapel and continue in direction of St Petka peak and Thracian mounds. There is a good marking and also signs for Thracian mounds and “Chumina” which is also in the same direction for now.

The road goes across the small forests, glades, potato sowings and reaches a wide meadow with a beautiful view of Koprivshtitsa. At the end of this meadow, at the beginning of a forest the roads to Chumina and Thracian mounds separate. The direction of each route is marked. Our route goes across a wide meadow and here are two choices – to use the path till it reaches another road and there to go right for about 20 m or go straight across the meadow and a small forest and get directly to the mound. The mound itself is in a small pine forest, marked with a slabstone. For the people who expect to see something impressive I have to say that this is a small mound, unfortunately dug by treasure hunters despite of this it is interesting to be seen. To continue your way to Koprivshtitsa you need to go right if you are facing the mound. The road starts to go down, mainly through a pine forest and the walk is easier and enjoyable. The route is well marked with signs and color markings. Along the road are many small glades good for picnics.

At the end of the route the road goes by the grave of Ivan Dzhartazanov, one of the people planted the beautiful pain forests around Koprivshtitsa. After this place the route turns left and goes down on some stones stairs to Arnaut neighborhood. It is possible to continue on the forest road which is a little longer but leads to the same place.

The route ends at the opposite side of Koprivshtitsa. With an easy walk the march takes about an hour, hour and a half. It doesn’t take much efforts and it’s easy to be followed. Along the road can be seen different plant and animals as raspberry, wild strawberry, spruce, fir-tree, white pine, fox, falcon, and squirrel.

Nevena Zhekova
2008