Ropotamo Reserve: River, Dunes and Water Lilies

The Ropotamo winds for about 48 km out of the Strandzha hills and reaches the Black Sea between Primorsko and Sozopol. Its lower course has been a nature reserve since 1940 and is part of a Ramsar-listed wetland: a slow green river lined with flooded forest, reed beds and, in summer, mats of white water lilies.

A guide drives you from Sozopol or Primorsko to the edge of the reserve, then walks with you along the forest track to the river mouth, about half an hour on foot. Here the river meets the sea between sandspits and two small beaches, with tall dunes behind them and the rock outcrop known as the Lion's Head above the water. Keep an eye out for European pond turtles sunning on logs, herons in the shallows and, with luck, a white-tailed eagle over the hills.

The reserve lies on the Via Pontica, one of Europe's main bird migration routes, so spring and autumn are good for birdwatching. Bring water and sun protection in summer. On the Camino, the last walking stage passes right by the reserve.