Torfeno Branishte

The reserve has a surface area of 728.8 ha comprising the parts of Big Plateau and the Kapaklivets Plateau between the peaks of Cherni Vrah (2290 m), Ushite (1906 m), and Chernata Skala (1869 m), including the upper watersheds of the Vladayska, Boyanska and Dragalevska Rivers.

Torfeno Branishte was created in 1935 to preserve the pristine turf communities in the Subalpine zone of Vitosha, with hundreds of moss and algae species.

Access to the reserve is strictly forbidden because along with its conservation status Torfeno Branishte is also a drinking water catchment area.

The territory is virtually treeless, with some shrub communities such as sallow, juniper and blueberry, and the occasional mountain pine.

Gentiana, the red Aven, Geum coccineum, and Saxifraga Rotundifolia are also relatively common plants.

Torfeno Branishte (Turf Reserve), a natural reserve on Vitosha Mountain.
The upper part of Torfeno Branishte north of Cherni Vrah, with Lavcheto Peak (‘Small Lion’, 2052 m) on the right.
The lower northern part of Torfeno Branishte from Vrah Ushite (‘Ears Peak’); Cherni Vrah in the background.