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The National Park Rila is the largest
of the three national parks in Bulgaria
and one of the largest in Europe.
Here are the springs of some of the longest rivers with highest waters
on the Balkan Peninsula –
Iskar, Maritsa and Mesta
and more than 120 permanent and 30 temporary glacial lakes,
located at the bottoms of the circuses.
Its purpose is the maintain the biological equilibrium
and protect the wild nature,
as at the same time it offers
some of the most diverse options for ecological tourism.
The biological diversity in the Rila Park is exceptional,
as 90% of its ecological systems are natural.
The 4 reserves in the park -
Parangalitsa, Skakavitsa, Ibar and Central Rila Reserve
have a total area of more than 16,000 hectares.
They and the park are included in the List of the United Nations
of the National Parks and their Equivalent Reserves".
The entire natural diversity of the park -
centuries old forests of white fir,
some of the oldest spruce forests in Europe,
bush forests of dwarf pine and relic plants,
as well as rare animal species
is complemented by thousands of species of herbs, mushrooms and wild fruits.
Multiple tourist pathways and routes
cross the National Park Rila
and turn it into a tourist paradise
for the tourists admiring *** nature.
Two of the basic European tourist routes - E4 and E8
pass through the park.
Here there is space for a real sense of freedom
for the admirers of extreme sports,
horse riding and mountain biking,
for which specialized routes are developed.
In the so called "Active Tourism Zone"
there is an option for crossing with a horse,
with ski or a mountain bike.
Marked walkways are provided,
as well as shelters and comfortable huts for accommodation.
Lighting of fire, bivouacking, camping and alpinism
are also allowed here.
Options are also provided for the seekers of relaxation,
and also for those willing to get to know the unique plant world in the development
of the botanical route "Friends of Plants".
And for those who search for reaching culture
and history of the Bulgarian people,
the other National Park "Rila Monastery" is also situated nearby,
named after the largest monastery in Bulgaria,
which is a unique cultural monument,
included in the UNESCO list of the global cultural heritage.
In 2007 the National Park "Rila" received a certificate
for the full-right membership in the European network
of national parks – PAN Parks,
which is a proof of its preserved
and well managed wild nature.