Bulgarka Nature Park

Bulgarka Nature Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Bulgarka Nature Park
Location	Gabrovo Province, Stara Zagora Province, Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria
Nearest city	Gabrovo
Coordinates	42°49′N 25°20′E / 42.82°N 25.34°E / 42.82; 25.34Coordinates: 42°49′N 25°20′E / 42.82°N 25.34°E / 42.82; 25.34
Area	22,000 hectares
Established	August 9, 2002
Governing body	Bulgarka Natural Park

The Bulgarka Natural Park (Bulgarian, Природен Парк Българка) is a Bulgarian nature park on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), occupying 22,000 hectares of territory in the central and eastern part of the mountains between the cities of Gabrovo and Kazanluk.

Located between the steep topography of the Central Balkan and the significantly lower and sloping eastern part of Stara Planina, the region is characterized by significant diversity in terrain. This supports a rich diversity in flora and fauna. Further, due to the area's position in a section of the Balkans that served as a crossroads for the region for centuries, the park is home to many historic sites.

The area’s historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.

In terms of zoology, the park is in the Balkan region of European fauna.

Many wild animals, such as the Eurasian wolf, fox, the golden jackal, Eurasian brown bear, wild boar, red deer, roe deer, hare, eastern hedgehog, squirrel, badger, mink and others inhabit the forested lands of the Bulgarka Park. Birds include the golden eagle, the common kestrel, rock dove, great spotted woodpecker, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, cuckoo, common buzzard, owl, white wagtail, turtledove, jay, magpie, raven, hooded crow, blackbird, starling, nightingale, oriole, great tit and others.

Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander; invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish include trout, black fish, and others.

Forests cover about 80.2% of the park area, or 17,461 hectares. Varieties of beech constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other deciduous trees include oaks, water locust, birch hornbeam, linden, elm, acacia, aspen, maple, ash, wild cherry, holly, rowan, birch and others. Coniferous trees found in the park include white and black pine, spruce, fir, white fir and others. Gymnosperm plants covers about 0.6 ha.