Rodopi – Zapadni is the largest Sites of Community Importance (SCI) in Bulgaria and one of the largest in Europe. The SCI includes immense coniferous and mixed forests. The area is almost unpopulated. Around Trigrad, interesting rock formations are found. The SCI also includes some valleys with significant Mediterranean climatic influence (Eurocontinental Upper Meso-Mediterranean climate according to Rivas-Martinez): rivers Vucha, Kanina, Bistritza, Dospatska.

[Photos by Nina Staykova]