Lakatnik is the most popular sport climbing area near Sofia. It's rocks, location and climate make it the best training area for top climbers.

Location: The rocks are located in the central part of the Iskar gorge in western Stara Planina.

Access: From Lakatnik railway station - 60km from Sofia.
 
Lodging: In Sofia, wild camping or in the caves. Water is available at the station, on the way to Vrazhite and between Alpijska Poljana and Temnata cave.
The rock: Very stable limestone. The routes are situated in three main regions.

1. Vrazhite Dupki region - About 20m high. The hardest routes are here. V+/X. About 110 routes. Very good safety. Very good possibilities for top rope climbing.

2. Alpijska Poljana region - About 40m high. III/IX. About 60 routes. Very good safety. Some easier routes are available.

3. Rzhishkata Peshtera region - 3 routes of 3 rope lengths each. III/VI. Not popular. Old pitons. Good possibilities for future development.

Guidebooks: A guidebook with photos and schemes issued resently. By Nikolai Petkov.