Three Falls on One Stream
Just beyond the last houses of Gabrovo, a mountain stream drops through the beech woods in a chain of three waterfalls between 4 and 8 m high, all within about a kilometre of water. The upper fall breaks onto the middle one, which feeds the smallest below.
That cascading sequence is what makes these falls different from the two famous single drops elsewhere on the Belasica. It is also why they are a walk rather than a drive: the marked trail starts in the village, and the retreat's own guidance is roughly an hour round trip.
The water and the wood
The water is described by the regional tourism portal as pure, ice-cold and clear, running among thick beech forest. In spring the stream is at its fullest; by late summer it quiets down, and the pools between the falls become the point of the walk.
Because the falls are stacked, the walk keeps delivering. You hear the second one while standing at the first, and the third appears just when you assumed the trail had finished.
The walk in
Access is described as easy, with arranged paths, benches and gazebos around the falls. The trail is marked as Waterfalls I, II and III and leaves the village directly, so families manage it and nobody needs mountain gear.
Only the steeper goat paths that branch off uphill are for experienced walkers. Stay on the waterfall trail and the going stays gentle.
A recognised highlight
The official Strumica tourism portal lists the Gabrovo waterfalls among its top five destinations for the region, and notes that most foreign visitors to them come from the Netherlands and Belgium, which is roughly the story of the retreat's own guest book.
Come early or late in the day and you will usually have them to yourselves. Come in spring after rain and the whole chain is at its loudest.
Why visit
- Three falls on one stream, 4-8 m each
- Reached on foot from the retreat in about half an hour
- Benches and gazebos arranged around the falls
- Ice-cold water under thick beech forest
- Listed in the region's top five by the tourism portal
Good to know
Getting there
On foot from Gabrovo, about 2 km from the retreat. The marked trail is signed Waterfalls I, II and III and needs no driving.
When to go
Spring and early summer for the fullest water, autumn for colour, and after rain for the chain at full volume. Paths can be slippery when wet.
With children
Suitable. The access is easy with resting spots along the way; keep to the waterfall path rather than the uphill goat tracks.
Local tip
Go in the morning, then walk back down for farm-to-table lunch at the hacienda. It is the outing guests repeat before they leave.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the walk take?
How do these falls differ from Smolare and Kolešino?
Is the trail suitable for children?
More to explore
Stay at the hacienda
This is the walk we send every guest on. Take it on your first morning, before the region's longer days.