Hotnitsa Waterfall In Bulgaria

Beautiful Hotnitsa Waterfall in Bulgaria is a popular tourist attraction in the north of the country. Here’s all the info for visiting.

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How To Get To Hotnitsa Waterfall In Bulgaria

Hotnitsa Waterfall is located about 20km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo and 3km from the village of Hotnitsa in northern Bulgaria. The easiest way to get there is by car.

From the village of Hotnitsa, a small road takes you directly to a free car park close to the waterfall.

There are signs from the village that will direct you. However, the Hotnitsa Waterfall isn’t too difficult to find.

Once parked, you walk over a small wooden bridge into the adjacent meadow and you will immediately have great views of the beautiful Hotnitsa waterfall.

For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.

Hotnitsa Waterfall Entrance Fee

It is free to visit Hotnitsa Waterfall.

Hotnitsa Waterfall Opening Times

Open all day, every day.

Best Time To Visit Hotnitsa Waterfall + Tips

It’s always nice to visit these outdoor attractions in the fine weather. So between the months of April and October would be the better time of year.

However, the waterfall flows all year round, with it being much more dramatic in the spring, after the snowmelt.

There are no amenities in this area, so you might want to bring your own food and drinks.

If you do bring some food, there is a really nice picnic area right next to the waterfall.

For the eco-trail, appropriate shoes are required as the terrain is a little rough in parts and not recommended for anyone with mobility issues.

Please also be aware that swimming is not allowed in the pool at the base of the waterfall.

What To Pack

Reusable Water Bottle

Sunscreen

Lightweight Rain Jacket

What To Expect At Hotnitsa Waterfall In Bulgaria

Named after the nearby village of Hotnitsa and fed by the Bohot River, the waterfall cascades down from a height 30m.

Spilling down over a large rock, the water splits into two streams that flow into a large emerald pool at the base of the falls.

This is not the largest waterfall in Bulgaria but it is very pretty and is certainly one of the most photographed. In fact, the waterfall and the river gorge were declared a protected natural landmark in 1971.

A really nice touch are the benches and covered areas conveniently placed in the meadow right next to the waterfall. Making this the perfect spot for a picnic, especially for all waterfall lovers.

If you are looking to get active whilst at Hosnitsa Waterfall, there is also an eco-trail that you can complete.

Hotnitsa Eco-Trail

Built in 2006, the eco-trail winds up by the river to the top of the canyon, traversing the entire flow of the waterfall system on the Bohot River.

Covering approximately 1.5km, it takes about an hour to complete the route, depending on how many stops you make. Moreover, there are some great views to capture, so you may stop a few times!

Purpose built wooden bridges and walkways wind through the river gorge, taking you past the spectacular waterfall and through some beautifully rugged scenery.

This a lovely walk through nature with many trees along the way providing some much needed shade if it’s a hot day.

The path can be a little challenging as it is quite steep and slippery in places, with steps to climb as well as some rocks, at the top.

However, you have the choice of a different, and somewhat easier route back down, that also avoids any people who are on their way up.

Hotnitsa waterfall and eco-trail are such a popular tourist destination due to their accessibility and the opportunity for a true taste of nature.

Where To Stay In Veliko Tarnovo

Luxury – Bridges Residence

Featuring 5-star accommodation, Bridges Residence is located in Veliko Tŭrnovo, 0.7 miles from Tsarevets Fortress and 0.8 miles from Forty Martyrs Church.

This 5-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is allergy-free and is located 350 yards from Archaeological Museum Veliko Turnovo.

At the hotel the rooms have air conditioning, a desk, a terrace with a city view, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, bed linen and towels. All rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a coffee machine.

The daily breakfast offers buffet, continental or vegetarian options.

Mid-Budget – Tsarevets Design and Spa

The emblematic Tsarevets Design and Spa is a small boutique hotel, located only 10 yards from the remarkable fortress Tsarevets.

From this place once the kings of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom enjoyed the beauty and grandeur of their achievements.

The hotel building is a restored and reconstructed old town house, built in 1891, which has undergone many famous historical events. Limited free private parking spaces are available.

The rooms include a flat-screen TV with cable channels, free WiFi and a minibar, available upon surcharge. The spacious, bright bathrooms have invigorating showers.

Budget – Architects House

Architects house in Veliko Tŭrnovo provides adults-only accommodation with a terrace, a restaurant and a bar.

Located around 0.7 miles from Tsarevets Fortress, the property is non-smoking and is just 350 yards from Archaeological Museum Veliko Turnovo.

The hostel features some units that have mountain views, and the rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower. At Architects house rooms come with bed linen and towels.

For more places to stay in Veliko Tarnovo, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.