Jelovičko vrelo

Useful Information

Location:	Vrelo 18306, Jelovica, Stara Planina National Park. A4/E80 exit Pirot, 221 across the mountains, turn off towards Jelovica, after 3.3 km on the right side. (43.1834067, 22.8335452)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Spring Vauclusian Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	Ymin=0.08 m³/s, Ymax=5 m³/s, Twater=9.5-12 °C, A=730 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	С. Милановић et al (2015): Хидрогеолошка истраживања карсних врела-Јеловичко врело Пиротски зборник 40 (2015) 227-241 pp. 239-240 pdf
Address:	Jelovičko vrelo, Vrelo 18306.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2003	first cave diving at the spring.

Description

Јеловичко врело or Jelovičko vrelo (Jelovicko spring) is a deep blue lake where water emerges from a water-filled cave. Jelovičko spring is the largest karst spring in Vidlič with a catchment area of 46 km². It is a typical seasonal spring which has its main production during the wet season in winter and after heavy rains, and it may fall dry for a few hours during August. Located in the Stara Planina National Park the site is accessible from the paved road to Jelovica. There is a restaurants and hotel in the area, a small hamlet called Vrelo which belongs to nearby Jelovica, and trout ponds. Jelovičko vrelo is a traditional picnic spot for the people of Piroć, so it is rather busy on Sundays.

The cave behind the spring is big enough for diving, but explroation started only in 2003. So far a cave of 190 m length and 50 m depth was explored.