Goutsal

The village of Gutsal (302 inhabitants – census in 2001) is a part of the Samokov municipality. Located 17 km from Samokov, 9 km from the spa-resort town Dolna banja and 23 km from the international well-known ski-resort Borovets. Situated on an average altitude 800 m above sea level in the southern slopes of peak Petlovska chukara(928m) in Shumnatitsa part of Rila mountain. Down in the valley flows the Gutsalska river, right feeder of Maritsa( the longest river in the Balkans – 525 km).The climate is temperate continental with mountain influence. The soils are brown, maroon and alluvial-meadow. Cultivated are potatoes, flax, hops, oats.The stock-breeding is also good developed (sheep, cattle). Most of the population works in Samokov , Borovets and Dolna banja.In the surroundings are the Ochusha monastery “Sveti Ilija” and Shishmanov monastery “Sveta Bogoroditsa”(Virgin). The upper reaches of the rivers Maritsa and Ochushnitsa are a great challenge for the skills of anglers. For mountaineers there are a lot of possibilities to undertake one or two day tours through East Rila . Nearby is also a hunting area. In spring, summer and autumn you could enjoy the warm and curative waters in the spa-resorts Dolna banja(9 km), Kostenets(22 km), Pchelin(20km) and Momin prohod(20 km).The charming views to the snow-covered peaks in East Rila will let your heart beat for ever here.