Bistritza - Zeleznitza on a Sunny December Day

Today was a gorgeous sunny December day with very pleasant winter temperatures. We had a few ideas for winter hikes in mind and in the end decided on Bistritza, as the closest to home. And it turned out to be the perfect decision for this time of the year - the super easy trail between the two mountainous villages is very popular and can be boring on a summer day, but in winter on a work day there were only a dozen or less hikers, the forest was very quiet and tranquil under the low December sun and the overall hike left us with the impression, that December is the best time to hike here.

Although the trail runs through the forest, the bare branches of the trees let the sunshine through and the ambient temperature was surprisingly comfortable.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: men's boxers, knitted socks, Burda cargo pants, Knipmode sweater

I:  lingerie, Navyblue Lotte blouse, Chaika sweater, CC copycat hat, Zerda knitted gloves, purple snood

Hike info:

Date:  19 December 2025

Destination: low altitude circuit trail Bistritza - Zeleznitza and back

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 12.5 km

Elevation gain: 80 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 hours 20 min

Average difficulty: 2 / 10

We had our tortillas and hot herbal tea on a sunny bench by the river, basking in the sun - it was a bliss!

And back along the same trail, feeling very satisfied and quite mellow :)