Location: 6 km away from Vratsa Map
Open: Summer: 8:30am- 12:30am and 1:30pm- 6:00pm
Winter: 8:30am- 4:00pm
Interesting Fact
Ledenika Cave gave its name to Ledenika Peak on Graham Land of Antarctica. This is a well suitable name since in Bulgarian it literally means "ice" peak.
Ledenika Cave Lodging
Ledenika hut is situated near the entrance to the cave. Hotel has about 50 beds and a restaurant. If you want to spend more time exploring the cave or simply want to wander around its pristine mountainous surroundings of Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park you might consider staying here.
Another possibility is staying in Vratsa. Site
Ledenika Cave is a natural geologic formation situated 6 km away
from Vrats in Bulgaria. It lies in the Northwest part of Vratsa
mountains, which are part of the Stara Planina (Old Mountain) range.
The name "Ledenika" in Bulgarian means "icy" cave. Ledenika Cave
takes its name from crystal icicles that line the walls of the cave,
its stalactites and stalagmites giving it a magnificent look. This
effect is present in the first chamber of the cave however or
Antechamber. This part of the cave sees fluctuation of temperature
through the year between 15 C to 7 C. Most of the underground system
of Ledenika Cave however keeps the temperature at about 7- 8 C,
which is still pretty cool so if you travel there in summer don't
forget to brings something warm. Give it a full hour to explore its
350 meters of underground tunnels that are open to the public. There
are 53 species of various animals and plants that live in the
Ledenika Cave. Many of these are endemic and are considered
threatened so be careful not to touch anything.
Ledenika Cave
is made up of several chambers covered by stalagmites, stalactites
and massive columns. A total route will cover about 350 meters. From
Antechamber you will pass through Plaznyata passage that is quiet
narrow for some people. Eventually you will found yourself in the
Large Concert Hall. It is named so obviously due to concerts that
are held here from May 24th- June 2nd. It is known locally as The
Days of Botev after Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev
(1848- 1876) who was killed during patriotic uprising against the
Ottoman Empire. Several figures are given strange international
names like the House of Baba Yaga from Russian folklore, Santa
Clause from the Western tradition, the Head of the Giant, Crocodile
and etc. Don't be upset if you don't see the character in a geologic
formation. Most people have troubles doing so.
Once you pass
a large abyss and Curtains corridor you will get get to the White
Hall or White Chamber of Ledenika Cave. Here you again will
encounter figures that guides try to convince you will look like the
Wife of a Giant, the Elephant, the Bathing Girl, Mother-in-Law's
Tongue and etc. It leaves you wondering how stoned were the first
tourists that visited Ledenika Cave then it was opened to the public
in 1961. Well designed pathway will eventually take you all the way
to the Seventh Sky chamber in the end of the walkway. Now you might
think it is a common sense, but people often disregard prohibition
of vandalizing walls and collecting of local fauna. The cave along
with its inhabitants are protected by the law and you certainly
don't want to get into trouble with cops in a foreign lands. Some of
the most prominent residents of the Ledenika Cave are obviously
bats, but also includes cave spiders, cave beetles and even wood
lice.