The Cave with the Tree, also known as "the Great Niche" and "the Water Cave", is a small cave about half a kilometre west of the village of Botunya, Krivodol municipality, Vratsa Province.
It is a shallow cave niche. A natural vertical opening in its roof lets a lone tree grow up through it — hence the name.
The cave can be reached all year on a short but narrow and steep path. After rain the ground around it is slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. The niche is shallow and needs no headlamp.
With children: the path is short but steep — hold small children by the hand. It cannot be reached with a pushchair.
Botunya is about 45 km from Vratsa, a little under an hour by car. From the village, walk west for about half a kilometre.
Vratsa and the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park.
Montana region
10.6 km away
Vratsa region
14.6 km away
Vratsa region
14.9 km away
Vratsa region
15.2 km away
The Cave with the Tree is located in Vratsa, Bulgaria.
The Cave with the Tree is most easily reached by car. Use the coordinates above to navigate, or open the location in OpenStreetMap or your preferred maps app for turn-by-turn directions. Public transport options vary by region — for remote destinations a rental car gives the most flexibility.
Caves can be visited year-round — the temperature inside stays roughly 10–12°C regardless of season. Spring and autumn are quieter than peak summer. Bring a warm layer and sturdy footwear; some caves close in winter when access roads become impassable.
Access to caves varies. Show caves typically run guided tours during posted opening hours; wild caves require proper equipment and experience. Inside, the temperature stays cool year-round (~10–12°C) — bring a warm layer, sturdy non-slip footwear, and a torch even on guided tours.
