Yeppers! How cool is that? The very first day I walked to Nessebar South Beach, I discovered them. Since then, I have been exploring various areas along this part of the coast of the Black Sea, just to frolic in the amazing sand dunes of Bulgaria!
A Rare Phenomena
Covering an area of about 10 hectares, these sand dunes are quite a rare and special feature. They have been here for thousands of years and are home to several unique species of plants.
Walking in the Dunes
Many of the areas of dunes close to the town of Nessebar, have been fenced off, and I hope it is to protect them and this fragile environment.
Other areas of dunes, for example, those I walked through to get to Sunny Beach, had wooden boardwalks to keep people following specific trails. I thought this a great strategy to preserve these dunes, especially because of the high volume of visitors this beach sees every year.
Some dunes don’t seem to have any protection at all. Perhaps they are unmarked private land? When I have walked through these, I always, without exception, stay on the sandy bits and never venture into the brush and plants. Respecting these dunes allows me to bask in their beauty and know that I have not endangered any of the plant life.
Flowers
This time of year, the very hottest and driest, I was surprised to see any flowers at all. But when you really look, there are all kinds! Most of very small and almost all are on spindly little stalks.
I was even more surprised to find grapes! Yes, beautiful grapes growing along the ground within the dunes.
I wonder what this vegetation would look like in the wet winter months and spring time? Perhaps a gorgeous display of lush green with bright pops of colour.
Accessibility
The most accessible dunes I have found so far, ones that have no signage or fencing, are near the St. Panteleimon Beach Hotel. Here, the dunes are atop a cliff that towers over the most northern end of Nessebar South Beach.
The sand is lusciously soft and fluffy, I am usually walking through here barefoot and it feels sooooo good! I have very tender tootsies and my feet feel like they are walking through silk. It is beyond marvellous.
I was so surprised to find these dunes here in Bulgaria near the Black Sea. I had not heard about them prior to arriving in the area. What a discovery, they are a magical place to visit.
