We are enjoying absolutely amazing summer temperatures at the end of March. Even up in the mountain it was so hot, that in the afternoon I took off my blouse and put on a tank top! Two years ago this same mountain at this exact time of the year was covered in snow! March is such an unpredictable month :)
Yesterday we hiked from Kokalyane to peak Bachun and back along a round trail. The trail starts at the far end of the Pancharevo dam, next to the hydroelectric power station.
The Pancharevo lake, the village of Pancharevo and the snow covered cap of Vitosha
Despite the summer temperatures yesterday, spring in the Lozen mountain is still in the beginning. The plum trees and blackthorn bushes are just coming to bloom at the foot of the mountain, up near the top they were probably a week or two away from blooming.
Hike info:
Destination: peak Bachun
Mountain: Lozen
Total length: 13 km
Elevation gain: 550 m
Total duration (plus long rest): 4 h 15 min
Average difficulty: 4 / 10
The trail is very pleasant, but the elevation gain is constant and at places significant, it's not exactly a walk in the park :)
There was an abundance of all kinds of spring flowers
My favourites - hepatica
On the peak
Me-made items, worn on this hike:
Husband: men's boxers, Knip Mode cargo pants, Green Burda blouse
I: lingerie, Plantain blouse, Sabrina Slims III, Houndstooth hoodie in the backpack
We had our delicious picnic on a meadow, facing Vitosha and the entire skirts of the mountain with the various villages and Sofia residential quarters.
It was Friday, a work day, and so it was very peaceful and quiet, just us and a couple of small birds in the nearing trees, singing their little hearts out. We lay on the ground and basked in the sun until we risked sunburn :)
On the way back we chose a shorter and steeper alternative route, which took us back to Pancharevo dam and the car.
