WALKING ON THE EDGE Russalka, Yailata, Tyulenovo - Walking Tour in Varna - Bulgaria

Description: 1 Day hiking tour walking on the edge of civilization ... The tour starts at Russalka - once called 'Tauk Liman' wich in Turkish means 'The bird cove'. Probably the name was given because of the many migrating birds stopping here for a rest on their way. The Via Pontica migratory passage crosses this area wich makes it a great place for bird-watching in the spring/autumn migration. The tour continues on the edge of the rocky coast towards Yailata - a seaside terrace, separated from the Dobrudja Plateau with 50-60-meter high cliffs. Located 20 km. north of Cape Kaliakra, it combines both archaeological finds and wild nature. There is a cave town consisting of 101 cave dwellings from the V century BC., an ancient sanctuary, altars, wineries, four necropolises and an early Byzantine fortress from the V-VI century AD. During the Middle ages the caves were used as a monastery complex. The walls of some of the caves still keep legible proto-Bulgarian signs – runes, crosses and stone icons. Visit of the caves followed by skinny-dipping in the sea and lunch. After the short break the tour continues direction north towards Tyulenovo. This village has it's name because once a colony of seals used to live in the caves along the rocky coast. Unfortunately no seal has been seen in the area since the 1980. But still there is a hope that some of them hide around .... On the contrary dolphins can be seen often, as they usually come near to the land in the early morning or late afternoon.