Ovcharchenski Waterfall, Waterfall in Rila Mountains near Sapareva Banja, Bulgaria

The Ovcharchenski Waterfall drops roughly 40 meters from an elevation of about 900 meters, forming a natural cascade along the Goritsa River. The water collects in a pool at the base before flowing onward through the rocky terrain.

The waterfall formed naturally over long periods through erosion along the Goritsa River and has been a known feature for generations. Local villagers have long recognized it as an important landmark in the mountain landscape.

The river and waterfall are named after Goritsa, a village girl who, according to legend, threw herself from the rocks to escape a Turkish bey's servants. The waterfall is also commemorated by a street named Ovcharchenski Vodopad in Sofia's Darvenitsa quarter.

The trail begins at the upper end of Ovchartsi village, not in the centre, and climbs toward the Sokolov Izgled locality at 1,200 m above sea level. The waterfall itself sits at 900 m, and the Goritsa river keeps a steady flow all year, so the weather does not change the amount of water. Six smaller falls of 5 to 15 m lie further upstream.

The waterfall stands among the lowest in the entire Rila mountain range, positioned where clear spring water from higher elevations flows downward. This location makes it a special example of how water travels through this mountainous region.