Veljusa 1

Walking trail - village of VELJUSA – ROCK ISKAZNIK - FOUNTAIN ISKAZNIK - village of VELJUSA

The walking trail starts at the village of Veljusa, and after a smooth climb up it leads to a place called “Iskaznik”. This place is known for the large rock, used by the schools for mountaineering in Strumica for training (alpinism).

There is clean and fresh mountain air, and the area around the trail is overgrown with diverse short stemmed forest, and rich flora during the spring and summer period. The favourable climate and natural beauty are the main preconditions for a walk in nature, rest, recreation, and relaxation.

The trail continues further up to the top place called “Perica”. This place is higher, and is ideal for photographing Veljusa and Strumica valley. The walking trail is penetrable, and is designed for sports, recreational, cultural, research, and education purposes.

The trail then continues to the village of Belotino, and then joins the regional road leading towards Strumica. While walking along the trail one can observe diverse flora and fauna throughout the year.

• Flora and fauna:

The walking trail has diverse flora, fungi, and fauna. The surrounding of the trail is predominantly overgrown with short stemmed forest including: raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, dog rose. There are also different types of mushrooms: chanterelles – cantharellus; champignon- agaricus bisporus and parasol mushroom - Macrolepiota procera.

The grass flora is rich and allows collecting of diverse types of flowers, tea, and fruits. The lower parts of the trail are prevalent with deciduous trees including: betuala alba – birch; tilia sp. – linden; acer sp. – maple. The evergreens, present in the upper parts include: pinus sp. – pine; juniperus sp. – juniper; and thuja sp. - thuja.

The richness and heterogeneity of types of eco-systems found here are the result of a favourable climate and specific geographic location.

Fauna that can be spotted on the trail include: rabbits, wild boar, wolves and foxes. Among the birds that can be seen are: nightingales, pheasants, partridges, eagles and falcons, and there are also various kinds of insects.

• Additional opportunities for using the trail (eco-tourism, herbal tourism, archaeological tourism, cultural and monastery tourism, rural and agro - tourism, walking, mountain biking, alpinism).

TRACK TYPE: Ground