Emen Canyon

Overview

The Emen canyon (or Negovan canyon) is a gorge (canyon) of the Negovanka river in Northern Bulgaria, 20 km from the city of Veliko Turnovo.

The constantly flowing river has cut through the valley’s soft limestone creating many rapids, waterfalls, pools, and recesses beneath cliffs that rise as high as 90 meters. The canyon starts south of Novo Selovillage and is interrupted near the village of Emen where the valley slopes rise sharply, hence the canyon is divided into two parts, The Upper and Lower Boaz. Because of its unique natural beauty, the region has been declared a protected reserve.

The most enjoyable part of the canyon is the secluded waterfall Momin Skok (Girls’ Leap). The falls are 10 meters high and enclosed on three sides by cliffs, with a wide, quiet pool beneath them. The waterfall was named after a legend about three young Bulgarian women who chose to throw themselves off the falls rather than be captured by the Ottomans who were pursuing them.
The Emen Canyon is the most impressive in spring when the river is fullest. 

An eco-trail runs along the entire length of the Lower Boaz. It starts from the Emen Cave, located on the left bank of the river, passes through the Momin Skok waterfall, where it is the narrowest part of the canyon, and ends at the bottom of the Negovanka dam.

The canyon is home to 38 species of birds, among which are rare black stork (Ciconia nigra), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Eagle Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Forest Stork (Strix aluco), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia livia).