Alinsky Monastery in November, 2020

We are still enjoying very mild weather here in Sofia and Sunday was again a gorgeous sunny day with quite comfortable temperatures. Not only did we not take our jackets out of our backpacks, but I actually took my cardigan off and hiked in a thin bamboo knit tee most of the time! For our time outdoors we chose another favourite trail in the low mountains - the trail to the Alinsky monastery in Plana.

:The picturesque St Kyprian chapel at the start of the trail

Hike info:

Destination: Alinsky Monastery

Mountain: Plana

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 200 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours with a very long picnic

Average difficulty: 2 / 10 

:One of my favourite parts of the trail - the open fields with a scenic view to the peaks of Rila on one side and Vitosha on the other

:Autumn views are still at their most gorgeous

:We decided to have our picnic on this grassy hill, overlooking the church. It was so nice, sunny and warm, with a smell of autumn grasses and leaves, that we stayed here, just basking in the mild November sun for 45 min

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: raglan sweater, Peacock socks

I:  ABB tee, socks, Central Park Hoodie

 

 

:The path to the monastery was abundant of mushrooms, especially these spectacular, but poisonous amanitas muscarias. I have never seen so many of these before, they were everywhere!