Pepelina is a village located in the North Central Region of Bulgaria and is part of Ruse Province – Dve Mogili Municipality.
The village is situated 235 km from Sofia, 42 km from Ruse, and 83 km from Veliko Tarnovo. Pepelina lies at a latitude of 43.583N and a longitude of 25.933E. The elevation ranges between 100 and 199 meters, as the terrain is quite varied. The village is nestled in the picturesque canyon of the Cherni Lom River, which is part of the Rusenski Lom Nature Park.
The total area of Pepelina is just over 20 km² (according to the National Statistical Institute). The population is 32 residents – 15 women and 17 men, making it the least populated village in Ruse Province. Neighboring settlements include the villages of Shirokovo, Ostritsa, Chilnov, Baniska, Katselovo, Tabachka, Koshov, Cherven, and the town of Dve Mogili.
Within the village’s territory lies the Orlova Chuka Cave, which is the third largest in Bulgaria, but the largest open to visitors. Nearby attractions include the St. Marina Monastery, the medieval fortress of Cherven, the Ivanovo Rock Churches, the Basarbovo Rock Monastery, the town of Byala, and the archaeological complex Nicopolis ad Istrum. In Dve Mogili, you can also visit the house of Filip Totyu, which now functions as a museum.
The beautiful natural surroundings and steep rocky cliffs are home to many bird and bat species, some of them rare. The forests host diverse large and small game, and the river is home to several species of fish.