Sokolna, Nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria.
Sokolna is a nature reserve in the Balkan Mountains with ancient beech forests that spread across different elevations. The woodland contains numerous plant and animal species adapted to this mountainous environment.
The area received protected status in 1979 and was later recognized as part of an international listing for ancient beech forests. This designation reflects the global importance of this undisturbed woodland.
Visitors walk through a forest landscape that has remained largely undisturbed by human activity. The beech trees that dominate this place are deeply connected to the identity of the region and its natural heritage.
Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and weather protection as the hiking trails wind through mountainous terrain with changing conditions. Marked paths help with navigation, but proper preparation and equipment are needed.
The beech trees in this reserve are among the oldest and least disturbed stands in Europe. Scientists visit to understand how these forests develop over long periods without human interference.
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