Crossbill Guidebook: A New Perfect Guide to the Eastern Rhodopes
12 April 2013
On 12 April, the European Crossbill Guides Foundation published its guidebook to the
Eastern Rhodopes. Ecotourists and naturalists can be very happy to have such professional
and specialized nature guide to the Eastern Rhodopes, one of the regions in Europe with the
highest biodiversity.
The Eastern Rhodopes (in Bulgaria and Greece) are described in 256 pages with18 routes:
10 in Bulgaria and 8 in Greece. Most are car routes with short walks, and half – full day
walks. “But all gentle walks, for naturalists who like to enjoy the landscape and see flora and
fauna; not for those who want to cover as much ground as possible in a single day”, as Dirk
Hilbers, the founder and director of the Crossbill Guides Foundation explains.
Dirk, who is also co-author of the Eastern Rhodopes guidebook, is convinced that all routes
in the Eastern Rhodopes have their unique attractions. One of his favourite is the short walk
to the Armira bridge near Ivaylovgrad. “It is away from the more famous parts near
Madzharovo, and was therefore a true surprise for us. The splendid steppe habitat here is a
true treat, as is the sudden change from steppe to well-developed woodland and the
beautiful Armira River. This route becomes more impressive with each time you walk it”, Dirk
says.
The Crossbill Guidebook (in English only) on the Eastern Rhodopes covers the territory from
the Aegean coast to the Arda River and from Zlatograd to the Evros River. It describes the
forests, cliffs, scrubland, rivers and streams, dry grasslands etc.
In the Bulgarian territory Dirk Hilbers and the Crossbill team were mostly impressed by the
originality and authenticity of the land. “The landscape is a blend of intact ecosystems.
Compare this to for example areas in France with a similar climate and terrain (hilly and
rocky). You see that fields, meadows and forests in France are strictly separated without
transitions – a result of intensive land use. In the Eastern Rhodopes the original gradual
changes between these habitats are everywhere, and precisely these in-between landscapes
attract many rare birds, plants and other species. The Eastern Rhodopes also combine the
scenic beauty and pleasant landscape people appreciate from southern France, with the
adventure and exotic flora and fauna of far away travel and the authenticity of a local rural
culture that has disappeared in so many places in Europe”, Dirk says.
The Eastern Rhodopes and the coastal wetlands of Greek Thrace have a complementary
flora, fauna and wildlife. Separately, both are great areas to visit for birdwatchers and
naturalists. “Combined - and they are so easily combined - they rank among the best natural
areas in Europe. Together, they have the status that Paris has among the European cities.
Or Berlin, or Rome or Barcelona”, Dirk Hilbers is convinced.
This is the 13th guidebook of Crossbill Guides Foundation. Currently, they release two more
guides: North-East Poland and Extremadura (Spain). The production of the Crossbill Guide
to the Eastern Rhodopes was financially and content-wise supported by New Thracian
Gold project, ARK Foundation and Netherlands Postcode Lottery.
A selection of the photos from the guidebook showing the stunning biodiversity of the
Eastern Rhodopes will be presented in the the exhibition “The wild world of the Eastern
Rhodopes” in the Crystal Garden in Sofia from April 25th to May 8th.
More about New Thracian Gold
New Thracian Gold is a five-year project (2009-2014) for the sustainable development of the Eastern
Rhodopes. Dutch and Bulgarian experts cooperate on ecotourism, sustainable development,
biodiversity/wildlife, organic farming, PR/communication work. The team is supported by two Dutch
foundations – ARK, with experience in nature conservation and Avalon, specializing in organic
farming. The project is financed by Dutch Postcode Lottery, the biggest charity lottery in the
country.
New Thracian Gold is a unique project with an integrated approach combining the work on three
components: wildlife, organic farming and ecotourism.
See more on: www.newthraciangold.eu
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