The river takes its source from the foot of Midzhur (2,168 m), the highest peak of western Stara Planina, on the Bulgarian-Serbian border, and mainly flows northeast until its upper course, where it heads north.
The river's origin is at the foot of Midzhur (2,168 meters), the highest peak in western Stara Planina, which borders Bulgaria and Serbia. Its course then follows a northeast direction before turning north in its upper reaches.