Various eco-routes around Lake Atanasovskoye in Burgas

Atanasovsko Lake is attractive for tourists, nature lovers and wild birds at any time of the year, its surroundings are suitable for hiking and cycling. The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation presents 4 routes for individual or group visits, which are already uploaded to Google Maps, in order to enable everyone to familiarize themselves with the area and take advantage of a detailed description, a detailed map and even the indicated hazards along the way.

Four tourist routes for individual and group visits to Atanasovskoye Lake provide an opportunity for its full all-round view, go in for sports and see the wild nature around the city of Burgas. The “Park Lake” route runs only in the southern part of the lake, suitable for hiking and cycling. Another “The Road to the Reserve” is located entirely in the northern part, it is only walking. The third “Light Salt Trail”, is preferably a bicycle route, runs through the southern part of the lake along the sea and reaches the “Tochka” area. The last one - “Circular” 30 km, goes around the whole lake, preferably a bicycle one.

Since the territory is very vulnerable, and parts of the routes pass through the protected areas of the reserve or near them, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Fund recommends following some rules of behavior:

• The routes inside the lake can only be passed on foot, without noise and sudden movements;
• Do not deviate from the marked path and do not enter the reserve;
• It is forbidden to kill, catch, chase and harass animals, as well as harm plants;
• Do not pollute the environment, light a fire, camp inside the lake;
• It is not recommended to go out on the routes in bright clothes; wear closed shoes and long trousers. Always check for ticks;
• Do not use sound, light or mechanical devices that attract birds or other animals;
• If you find a wounded, injured or dead animal, violations, poaching, environmental damage or damage to nature, call 112 or the green telephone RIOSV Burgas - 056/813212;

Detailed description of routes:

I. "THE CIRCULAR" BIKE ROUTE OF ATANASOVSKY LAKE

Type: bicycle

Description: A 30-kilometer route that goes around the entire lake - from the Seaside Park of the town, through the Southern Saltworks and the Black Sea quarter. The route passes through the Atanasovsky lake reserve and offers a view of its many inhabitants. It then continues along an off-road through the fields to the Kaufland store and reaches the southern part of the lake.

It is advisable to pay attention to: the possibility of a bicycle tire puncture (thorny plant " Tribulus terrestris"); in some places you can meet dogs; there is access to a second-class road with a serious load (in summer).

II. ROUTE "PARK LAKE"

Type: cycling / hiking

Description: starts from the Seaside Park (parking-restaurants), through the railway crossing in the Lake Park and goes along the embankment behind the tennis courts. There is a suitable spot to spot pink flamingos, pelicans, herons and many more. Further along the health alley and the bike path to the exit from Burgas in the direction of Sarafovo. It ends at the Pied avocet trail and birdwatching shelter (to the right of the Lukoil gas station), where you can have a picnic, birdwatching and get to know Pied avocet Atanas and his family.

It is advisable to pay attention to: heavy pedestrian and cyclist traffic.

III. "LIGHT SALT TRAIL"

Type: cycling / hiking

Description - It starts from the Seaside Park (restaurant parking) along the bicycle alley along the sea to the Salt road. In summer, you can visit the museum on Lake Atanasovskoye - "Symbiosis" or pools with alkali and mud. Further along the asphalt road the route continues to the northern part of the lake to the “Tochka” area where there is a place for bird migration monitoring.

It is advisable to pay attention to: the possibility of the cycling load; after the bridge to the Saltworks exit onto an asphalt road with a serious load, especially in summer.

IV. "THE ROAD TO THE RESERVE"

Type: pedestrian

Description - This is the official route within the reserve (northern part of the lake), determined by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, which starts from the barrier - to the right of the main road from Sarafovo, right in front of the Puma Outlet and Citroen Service. It runs along a off-road between the lake and the bypass canal. It reaches the main dam on the right and the excavator's house, from where large flocks of pink flamingos, pink pelicans and dozens of charadriiformes can be seen. Here it is necessary to observe the regimes of visiting the reserve. Tourists are not allowed during the breeding season from April to August.

It is advisable to pay attention to: overgrown with reeds around the road, lack of access to drinking water.