The stone mushrooms

Location: they are located east of Beli Plast village in the municipality of Kardzhali right next to the road. The mushrooms suddenly pop up next to you and enchant you with their impressive size and the likeness of real mushrooms. The reach height of 2.5 m, take area of 3 decare and they are with pink stumps and green hats.

Origins: Actually the mushrooms are mould in volcanic rhyolite tuffs. Staining is caused by different minerals: pink - from clinoptilolite, gray and black spots on stumps - from manganese nodules and green - from celadonite. Tufts which have shaped the stone mushrooms are also a result of intense underwater volcanic activity dating back to the Paleocene. After the sea retreated, on the sea bottom erosion begins to act. Bottom, pink layer appears to be soft and easily succumbed to the effects of sun, wind and rain. The upper, green layer contains volcanic glass, which is more durable mineral and harder to be weathered. So for millennia formed this wonderful combination of unique shapes and colors.

Status:  The stone mushrooms are declared for natural landmark in 1974.

Access: They are reachable with car from the town of Haskovo through the village of Zornitsa or from the town of Kardzhali through the village of Stremtsi, near the road. The walking trails start from the villages of Shiroka Polyana, Gorna Krepost or Tri Mogili.