I visited this WHS in 2023 as part of the northeastern Bulgaria hotspot. Of the inscribed lot in this hotspot, the Srebarna Nature Reserve seems to be rated as the worst, probably owing to its poor state of upkeep of any trails or tourist infrastructure but also because to the non-birder (and not only) it pales when compared to the Danube Delta nearby.

To me, however, Madara Rider ranked the lowest. It is an interesting site to visit while visiting Bulgaria, but its only highlight, the Madara rider relief, in my opinion lacks OUV and is more of an interesting niche national site. It isn't unique either as similar carbon images have been found in Saltovo, Soulek, Pliska and Veliki Preslav.

The horseman relief, almost life-size, is carved on a 100 metre vertical cliff. The Madara rider is facing right, and can be seen thrusting a spear into a lion lying at his horse's feet, while on the left a dog is running after the horseman. The carving of the rider's halo and garments, as well as the bird in front of the horseman's face, are barely recognizable due to centuries of erosion and the generally poor condition of the monument. This is even more noticeable if you try to approach/climb to the locked metal gate of the ugly green metal-frame platform just beneath it.

The meaning and symbolism of the sculpture are uncertain, as well as its actual masonry tradition and cultural source. The relief probably incorporates Thracian elements as well as particular Bulgar cults. The monumental size and iconography, and many of the specific details (such as the halo, bird, etc.) are generally part of the Bulgar tradition, while the rightward direction and the lion are more typical of the Thracian tradition. Three partially preserved texts in Medieval Greek, carved in the rock, can be found around the image of the rider but they can only be appreciated using binoculars or a good zoom camera. They bear important information regarding the history of Bulgaria in the period, but then again nothing truly of OUV. The other minor sites, with esoteric stones, caves and fortification remains beneath and on top of the cliff just don't add anything more than a nice view from the top and a good way of burning some calories up the stairs in the scorching summer sun. To add insult to injury, this is one of the only few Bulgarian WHS without a proper UNESCO WHS inscription plaque, only a UNESCO WHS Convention sign a few information boards.