site.btaDigital Guide Brings Ponor Mountain’s Hidden Gems to Light

Ponoria Tourist Association has launched its new Ponoria Expedition app for Android devices, revealing the secrets of Ponor Mountain to curious travellers, the Association told BTA's Veselina Yordanova on Saturday. 

The app allows users to discover new places through interactive exploration, log their visits, and view route maps with detailed site information. The Ponoria Tourist Association’s website includes the J.R.R. Tolkien quote: “Not all those who wander are lost.”

The digital guide unveils the mysteries of Ponor Mountain, a section of the Western Balkan Mountains within the Sofia Region. Though close to the capital, it remains relatively lesser-known, boasting remarkable natural phenomena and a unique, unspoilt character.

“The app was developed as a natural extension of our core activities, which include organizing hikes and promoting the region,” Chair of the Ponoria Tourist Association and the Bulgarian Mountaineering Union Radoslav Zarkov told BTA.

The Association seeks to enhance travelers’ experiences by providing a tool that enables users to track their journeys and explore new destinations through an interactive, game-inspired approach.

Ponoria Expedition is a free Android app that enables users to log visited sites. It also functions as a reference guide, providing route maps and details on the timing and frequency of each visit.

Ponoria Tourist Association was established in autumn 2019 at Trastenaya Hut by a group of friends sharing a passion for the mountains. Previously, its founders ran separate projects to maintain hiking trails in Ponor before choosing to unify their efforts. The release of the app represents the next stage, Zarkov said. “The world is moving toward digitalization and new technologies, and we aim to keep pace with this trend.”

The concept was developed independently and iteratively, utilizing artificial intelligence. The app has been accessible to users for approximately two weeks, with new features added based on user feedback.

The app currently features 38 locations within the mountain region, categorized into groups such as peaks, waterfalls, churches, and others.

“We chose a diverse range of sites: some are well-known landmarks of the mountain, while others are lesser-known locations that we believe could attract future visitors. In this way, we encourage people to discover these places, share their experiences, and contribute to increasing their popularity," Zarkov said.

Each site comes with a map showing its exact location, along with the user’s position for precise orientation. The distance to each point is shown in km, along with the direction to guide hikers as they walk.

In addition to experiencing the stunning scenery, users advance through ranking levels as a reward for their achievements. Anyone who collects all the virtual stamps during the expedition earns the title of Ponoria Legend. The distinction of being the first to complete the challenge is still available.

Among hikers, the most frequented locations in Ponor Mountain are the Vazov Eco-Trail, connecting the villages of Gara Bov and Zasele, and Skaklya Waterfall, situated approximately halfway along the trail. Stolo, a prominent rock formation, is also attracting increasing attention. More experienced trekkers continue to explore lesser-known areas. To support them, the Association maintains a website with descriptions of notable sites and routes. The printed guide, "Ponor Mountain – Landmarks," released in early 2022, served as a precursor to the Ponoria Expedition.

“Ponor Mountain is a boutique destination, modest in size and relatively undiscovered, but its popularity is expected to increase over time,” Zarkov said.

This makes it a tranquil and enjoyable location for walks, offering both accessibility and proximity to the capital.

Zarkov noted that the area could attract more visitors and expand tourism, provided this is managed responsibly with respect for the environment and existing infrastructure.

“It is deeply discouraging when we install signs along a tourist route to guide visitors to a landmark, only to find later that some have been intentionally removed or damaged,” Zarkov said.

The Association currently has about 25 members, but membership remains open. “We are continually seeking new members, as our projects are demanding and require significant time and commitment. The more active participants we have, the more effectively we can achieve our goals,” Zarkov said. Interested individuals can apply and review all membership requirements on the Association’s official website.

Members are optimistic that higher visitor numbers will stimulate the growth of local businesses and activities, including accommodations, shops, restaurants, and attractions. Overnight stays are possible at Proboynitsa Hut, the mountain’s only traditional hut, which has been recently renovated and is open to guests. Additional accommodation is available in Svoge, Zasele, and Iskrets. The association has also restored a small tourist dormitory in the village of Brachkovtsi.

For the adventurous traveler, the next step is to embark on a journey to Ponor Mountain.