The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges
South from Plovdiv to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery, the marble Wonderful Bridges, the village of Shiroka Laka and the caves of Trigrad.
- Distance
- 118 km (73 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 38 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Bulgaria
- Updated
- July 18, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 118 km (73 mi) with 8 stops, from Plovdiv to Trigrad. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Bulgaria
Route description
Leave Plovdiv south to Asenovgrad, about 20 km, and follow the road into the Chaya gorge. Asen’s Fortress stands on a rocky spur above the valley, with a medieval church that has survived almost intact; a narrow road leads up to the car park. A few kilometres further up the gorge, Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083, has frescoed churches around a quiet courtyard.
Continue south on road 86 towards Chepelare, then turn west onto the small road via Zabardo to the Wonderful Bridges, two huge marble arches left by a collapsed cave at about 1,450 metres. The road is paved but narrow and winding, so take it slowly. Short paths lead under the arches and onto their tops.
Return to road 86 and head south to Shiroka Laka, a village of white stone houses with wooden balconies along a mountain stream, known for its bagpipe music. Then take the roads west via Devin and Teshel into the gorges of the western Rhodopes. Yagodina Cave, in the Buynovo gorge, has multi-level passages with rich formations and guided tours.
From Teshel, the road into the Trigrad gorge squeezes between cliffs up to 300 metres high. Devil’s Throat Cave, where the river falls 42 metres underground, is at the upper end, and Trigrad village lies just beyond. The gorge roads are narrow and unsuitable for long motorhomes. Services are sparse, so fill up in Smolyan or Devin, and expect snow in winter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Plovdiv
Bulgaria - 225 km
Asen’s Fortress
HistoryAsenovgrad, BulgariaA medieval fortress on a rocky spur above the Chaya gorge, with a well-preserved 12th-century church. Drive up the narrow road to the car park just below; views reach over the Thracian plain.
- 37 km
Bachkovo Monastery
HistoryBachkovo, BulgariaFounded in 1083, the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria, with frescoed churches around a leafy courtyard. Paid parking is by the road below, past a lane of market stalls.
- 433 km
Wonderful Bridges
NatureZabardo, BulgariaTwo huge marble arches formed by a collapsed cave in the western Rhodopes, at about 1,450 metres. The road from Chepelare is narrow; a short path leads under and over the arches.
- 519 km
Shiroka Laka
Bulgaria - 627 km
Yagodina Cave
NatureYagodina, BulgariaA multi-level cave with rich formations in the Buynovo gorge, visited on guided tours of about 45 minutes. It is reached by the narrow road through the gorge between Teshel and Yagodina.
- 76 km
Devil’s Throat Cave
NatureTrigrad, BulgariaA cave in the Trigrad gorge where the river plunges in a 42-metre underground waterfall, the highest in the Balkans. Guided visits end with a steep climb of about 300 steps; it stays cold inside.
- 82 km
Trigrad
Bulgaria
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Plovdiv → Bachkovo Monastery · 31 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Asen’s Fortress.Overnight nearby, for example: Wild camp (7 km); Рокерски поляна (11 km).
- Day 2: Bachkovo Monastery → Wonderful Bridges · 33 km · 0 h 27 min
- Day 3: Wonderful Bridges → Shiroka Laka · 19 km · 0 h 16 min
- Day 4: Shiroka Laka → Trigrad · 35 km · 0 h 29 minOn the way: Yagodina Cave, Devil’s Throat Cave.Overnight nearby, for example: Στραβόρεμα (12 km); Αντάμωμα Σαρακατσάνων (14 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Bulgaria: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 140 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges?
4-day road trip of about 118 km (73 mi) with 8 stops, from Plovdiv to Trigrad. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 38 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges start and end?
It starts in Plovdiv and ends in Trigrad.
Which countries does The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges pass through?
Bulgaria.
Where can you camp along The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges?
OpenStreetMap lists 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Glamping & Motel "Alliance", Camping Borsh and Рокерски поляна.
When is the best time for The Rhodope Mountains: marble bridges and cave gorges?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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