Borovetz 2022

Yesterday was probably one of the hottest days in Sofia this year so far - 37C, so we decided to spend it in Rila, starting very early in the morning. So early, that we obviously hadn't quite awakened and forgot our sandwiches, freshly made and packed, on the kitchen table :(

We chose to hike along the path to Chakur voivoda hut, one of our favourite paths, starting from Borovetz.

:Even though we were above the 1800 m altitude line, it was still hot and very, very sunny

:I wore my new hiking leggings, which I had just finished on Friday. I used the free kid's leggins pattern by Love Notions, size 14, shortened below the knee and with an added cuff with two buttons.

:We chose Borovetz in the hope that the shady path under the pine trees would be more comfortable to hike compared to the open paths in the higher parts of the mountain.

:Half way to Chakur voivoda hut we had an idea to spice up our usual route and to take an alternative path.

:We detoured to Sitnyakovo lift chair, drank a cold home made lemonade in a local coffee shop with this gorgeous view over the pine forest and the peaks across and began discussing the alternative trail. However, after a closer inspection of the map it became clear to us, that it would be better to continue to Chakur voivoda hut along the popular trail, climb up to the cross-point section  and take the alternative trail downhill, as it was too steep - this is what we did and it was a truly wise decision!

:After a short lunch break at Chakur voivoda, we continued uphill and soon the glorious tops of Shatur, Deno and other Rila peaks were visible.

Hike info:

Destination: Chakur Voivoda hut round trip

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 20 km

Elevation gain: 810 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 6 hours

Average difficulty: 6 / 10

:At the cross-point section (2170 m), with the backdrop of peak Shatur

:Some part of the downhill trail passed through thick dwarf mountain pines and included elements of limbo-rock and duck walk exercises. Unfortunately, here I lost my hiking pole, which I had stuck in my backpack - it must have fallen out without me noticing during all the crawling and fencing off branches :(

:After the dwarf pines we came to the most beautiful part of the hike - the lonely and narrow trail through the true pine forest.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers

I: lingerie, striped tunic, Love Notions leggings, Houndstooth hoodie in the backpack

:Yellow flowers and butterflies at Sitnyakovo

:Borovetz mountain resort