Cherni Vruh - a Real Winter Hike

This week we took advantage of the sunny and relatively warm winter weather and planned a second hike - a genuine winter hike to Vitosha's summit - peak Cherni Vruh. 

Unlike the hikes in the low mountains, hiking above 2000 m in winter means cold, wind, lots of snow and ice. Despite the bright sun and the blue skies, the temperatures above Aleko hut were low and the wind was brutal and during our ascent it was headwind, which clearly made climbing even more difficult. Still, there were at least a few dozen fellow hikers up and down the track.

We started from Aleko hut along the winter trail to Cherni vruh and it took us approximately one hour and 45 minutes to reach the peak. Despite the strong wind, which quickly covered the hikers' traces, the trail was very well maintained with the help of snow bulldozers by the local services.

Hike info:

Destination: peak Cherni Vruh (2290 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 480 m

Total duration (plus rest): 3 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 6 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: boxers, socks, Knipmode cargo pants, Knipmode blouse, sharf

I: lingerie, socks, hat, chocolate Hipster shawl, Grasser blouse, reserve green gloves in the backpack

We had our quick lunch at the station on the peak, where we drank our homemade rose hip tea, with rose hips we picked on Tuesday during our hike to Manastirishte. We liked it so much, that this year we plan to pick more local herbs for our tea during our numerous hikes.

The descent was much easier, and though the wind got even stronger, it was blowing in our backs, which was so much preferable to the headwind upwards.

On the way back we chose the longer summer trail by peak Goli vruh.

I wouldn't place this hike among the mountain monster hikes, like Vihren or Ruen, but it was definitely an adventure:)