The eco-trail to the chapel of the Holy Virgin Mary, also known as Mati Bozha, is among those little treasures of the Rhodope Mountains that do not require much effort, but provide great peace.
The beginning of the route is easy to find. You leave your car in the parking lot next to the bridge over the Parvenetska River and then take a left on the road to the waterfalls. A few meters further down you will see a turnoff on the right, right after the place suitable for a barbecue by the river. From there the path begins, which gently climbs among greenery and coolness. The markings are clear, and there are a few benches along the way – just enough to stop for a breath of air. The climb is of low to medium difficulty and takes no more than 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. However, keep in mind that the elevation gain is not small and requires effort.
At the top is the chapel of the Mother of God – modest but picturesque, with a panoramic view that takes your breath away. Before our eyes, on the one hand, the villages at the foot of the mountain unfold, and on the other – the horizon reaches all the way to Plovdiv and the Thracian Lowland.
The place is suitable for both a short afternoon hike and a picnic or weekend walk with loved ones. Upstairs, there is also a separate area with benches and a fireplace, where you can also prepare a barbecue.
In spring and autumn, the views are especially picturesque, and in summer the shade of the trees keeps it pleasantly cool. The eco-trail to “Mati Bozha” is a great choice for anyone who wants to break away from the city without going too far from it.
If you like discovering quiet and beautiful places near Plovdiv, this trail definitely deserves to be on your list. You walk slowly, breathe deeply, and in the end you feel like you have returned not only from a walk, but from a meeting with yourself.
