The village of Iglika is located only 13 km northeast of Gabrovo and is “perched” on an impressive rock massif, part of the Strazhata plateau – a beautiful rock chain extending in several tens of kilometers in the direction Dryanovo-Gabrovo-Sevlievo.

The eco-trail to the village of Iglika is circular and starts from a meadow before the village. From the very beginning of the route wonderful pastoral landscapes to the Balkan and the Fore-Balkan unfold. The start is at a good dirt road that passes directly above the Chirikovets quarry. The trail continues along a marked path and leads to the remains of the fortress “Gradat” (“The City”), also called “Chomashkata skala” (after the old name of the village of Iglika) by going out to a wide place over rocks.

The fortress “Gradat” is a terraced rock hill with an altitude of 615–661 m. During archaeological excavations, remains of the fortress wall and two towers were discovered. The road from Nicopolis ad Istrum passed right on the plateau and led to the pass in the Balkan Mountains. Currently, the terrain there is flattened with earth, from where an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding villages in the valley and the beautiful rock wreaths on both sides is revealed. This place is used as a platform for tandem paragliding flights, with a pylon mounted at the top. An area for relaxation is built under the pylon. From there, through the forest, the path descends into the village of Iglika. Shortly before entering the village, you pass by a functioning fountain with a stone trough.

Another marked trail with a length of about 1 km (in one direction) to the fortress (tower type) on Mount Minin Chukar (704 m) starts from the community centre in the village. The peak is the highest point in the eastern part of the Strazhata plateau. It offers excellent views in all directions. At the very top there are remains of a round or square shape – most probably this is the donjon (main tower) of a fortress built there.

Iglika is among the villages that have still preserved their authentic appearance. They call this place “the stone village” because of the houses and walls magnificently built from the most common local material – stone. According to legend, the village was created in the 17th century by six Bulgarian families looking for a safe place during the troubled times. They were mainly builders and blacksmiths. Stone by stone, with will and great craftsmanship, they erect strong houses, perched as if on the edge of the world. Thus was born the village of Chomatsi (the old name of the village of Iglika). “Chomak” means power, strength, like the strong rock on which the first inhabitants found salvation. According to another theory, the name comes from the word “chomaga” – a thick stick that at that time was used by shepherds and herdsmen. After the Liberation, the village was renamed Iglika.

Iglika is also known for being the favourite village of actress Nevena Kokanova, who settled in this place in the mid-1980s and found her peace there in the last years of her life. Some of the movies she starred at – “Evenings at the Antimovsky Inn” and “Vampire” – were shot in Iglika. The local community centre was named after her posthumously.