Ep 40 - Entering the Black Hole - Spelunking Temnata Dupka, Gara Lakatnik

The Black Hole, Temnata Dupka, is the third longest of over 4,500 caves in Bulgaria. It is a complicated labyrinth of galleries, waterfalls, rapids, drains, underground rivers and lakes. With over 5 kilometres of known cave system, the exploration and mapping continues today.

The fauna of Temnata Dupka is very rich, with 17 troglobits (creatures, which adapted to life without light), water snails, lower crustaceans and beetles. Temnata Dupka is not adapted for tourists, but a path leads to the cliffs, starting from Zhitolyub spring, which we see later in the video.

The entrance of the Black Hole is situated in the Lakatnik cliffs, a natural landmark, which we explore on foot, and by air. The cliff known as the Black Wall has a humble yet truly spectacular shelter called Eagle Nest (Orlovo Gnezdo), which we visit up close by drone.


Here are some key moments:

1:44 – Arriving at Gara Lakatnik train station from Sofia
2:24 – First good view of the Lakatnik cliffs
2:38 – Spotting the Eagle Nest (Orlovo Gnezdo) in the Black Wall
3:47 – Some artwork, and a derelict builing
5:15 – Crossing the Iskar over a foot bridge
6:31 – Black cat crossing my path, and again at 8:07
9:56 – Lookout spot
11:30 – The entrance to the Black Hole
13:03 – The spelunking starts
25:05 – Deep pond in the stream
33:15 – More water
34:11 – Zombie marker...
36:25 – Escaping the black hole
37:52 – Exploring a second cave entrance
40:12 – Final cavern exit to the light, and drone footage of the black hole, and Lakatnik cliffs
50:13 – Drone footage of the black hole entrance as it returns
52:44 – Zhitolyub spring
56:22 – Looking for the Eagle Nest (Orlovo Gnezdo) in the Black Wall
59:11 – Running out of time, so the drone will explore the Eagle Nest for us
1:00:00 – Beautiful footage of the Eagle Nest (Orlovo Gnezdo) in the Black Wall
1:01:58 – Running to catch my train
1:03:00 – Crossing the Iskar over a second foot bridge right below the station. You can see more of the Iskar here:    • Ep 38 - Paddling the Iskar River from Sofi...  


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