Protected аrеа “Fist Rock”
The protected area “Fist Rock” is located on the northern shore of the Studen Kladenets dam, more or less in the middle of the dam. It was declared as a protected area by Order No. 569/31.10.2000, on the proposal of the BDZP, with the following objectives:
- Conservation of populations of protected and endangered species of animals and plants
- Conservation of rock and forest habitats typical of the Eastern Rhodopes.
The protected area “Fist Rock” has an area of 346 ha and also includes xerothermic oak forests, gorse and hornbeam thickets and dry-loving grasslands. The area is of extreme importance for the protection of avifauna. Here is one of the nesting grounds of the griffon vultures, which has been used periodically over the years.
Species diversity
Rock habitats are occupied by plant communities with an open structure. There are met:
- (Sedum sp.)
- (Dianthus sp.)
- (Thymus sp.)
- (Saxifraga sp.)
On the rocks also nest the ones included in the Red Book:
- (Neophronpercnopterus)
- (Ciconianigra)
- (Buteorufinus)
- (Bubobubo)
In the protected area there are also:
- (Falcotinnunculus)
- (Alectorischukar)
- (Oenanthehispanica)
- (Sylvia cantilans)
- (Laniusnubicus)
- (Emberizamelanocephala)
- (Sittaneumayer)
- (Coraciasgarrulus)
- (Sylviahortensis)
- (Monticolasaxatilis) and (M. solitarius)
Tourist Crossing
The starting point for the tourist crossing to Yumruk rock is the village of Gnyazdovo, at 220 m above sea level. The height of the summit is 587 m. Half of the route is on a nice dirt road in a deciduous forest, followed by about a kilometer of hiking on a path in open meadows and a rocky section, and then this path enters the Yumruka forest and takes you to the top. It’s almost impossible to find the entrance to the Fist Forest trail without a guide – it’s hard to see and unmarked. In fact, there are no markings anywhere, only rock cairns, but they appear further up.
Something Interesting
At the top of the protected area there was once a fortress, but almost nothing remains of it – only single stone towers, here and there a piece of ceramic vessel. It had good visibility to other fortresses in the Eastern Rhodopes – Sredna Arda, Monyak, Zornitsa. In the open areas – just after the rocky section and before the path enters the forest, there are wild savory and thyme, which spread the scent of spring from afar. The forest of Yumruka is mixed – oak, hornbeam, hornbeam and lots of lilac. Read More…