Peak Selimitza, Vitosha 2025

On one of the hottest days of the year husband and I decided to hike high up on the plateau in the open and in the sun, instead of staying put at home, as normal people do. Crazy, right :)

We started fairly early, but it was one of those days, with equatorial nights, that were hot right from sunrise, even above the 2000 m line. Well, of course, the temperatures there were in the 20-ies, not in the 40-ies degrees, as down in the city.

We started from Zlatnite mostove in the direction of Kumata hut, where we refilled our water bottles and some additional water containers for the hike - bitter experience has taught us to carry excess water rather than risk dehydration during hikes on hot July days.

Konyarnika - the place is practically a raspberry garden, alas it's still early - the raspberries need a couple of weeks or so to ripen.

The plateau - my favourite part of this trail, with a glimpse to Ushite and Kamen del from a different point of view

Hike info:

Destination: peak Selimitza (2041 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 17 km

Elevation gain: 650 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 hours

Average difficulty: 6 / 10 

Peak Samara and Cherni vruh in the distance

Our destination - peak Selimitza. Surprise, surprise - a pile of rocks :)

This is our second climb of Selimitza, one of Vitosha's dozen. The day was hot, the peak is a bit aside from the popular tracks, so it was no wonder, that we were the only ones around for miles :)

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, green Burda T-shirt, orange Burda T-shirt

I: lingerie, Burda blouse (mostly in the backpack), Burda shorts

Although it is probably the lowest of the Vitosha's dozen peaks above 2000 m, it is one of the most panoramic, with views in all directions, stretching from the Balkans to Rila and Pirin.

We had our lunch directly on the stones under the sun, cooled by the constant breeze on the top, enjoying our cold(ish) beers and the vast views.

On the way down we took the long and winding trail through huts Zvezditza and Edelweiss to Zlatnite mostove.

Along the Vladaya River 2025

The day on Vitosha today was very hot and very sunny, with a lot of humidity in the air - the summer is coming! For this week's hike we chose a light circular trail to Zlatnite mostove. 

We started from a point along the low altitude circuit on Vitosha, called The Quiet Place. The first part of the trail gradually brought us at the outskirts of the village of Vladaya.

The trail from Vladaya to Zlatnite mostove was definitely the most beautiful part of the hike, as it runs along the picturesque Vladaya river.

Hike info:

Date: 07 June 2025

Destination: Zlatnite Mostove

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 10.5 km

Elevation gain: 490 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants

I: lingerie, Burda raglan blouse, Burda colored jeans 6534

For our picnic this time we decided only to pass through Zlatnite mostove and to stop for a snack at a picnic place along the alternative trail back to the car. Despite the lack of panorama views and high peaks, our forest hike was very pleasant and energizing.

Solo Hike to Konyarnika 2025

Husband has an exam on Sunday and is using his free time to prepare for it (or at least that's the plan). My Friday however was free and the weather was fine, the last sunny weather before the expected cold and rain, so I decided to go solo. During our hikes we've met hundreds of people, hiking alone, but I've always found, that having a company is much more pleasurable to me. I don't mind solo city walks, but I almost never hike alone in the mountains - last time must have been 20 years ago. 

I didn't want to risk a difficult and long trail, so I chose a well trodden path - from Zlatnite mostove to Kumata hut, peak Konyarnika and back along an alternative trail by a couple of other huts.

Hut Kumata - because it is a work day, the usually well frequented hut and the trail to it were empty.

Down in the city it was sunny and short-sleeve-weather, but up above the 1500 m line it is still late winter - early spring, with patches of snow and purple crocuses.

Hike info:

Date: 25 April 2025

Destination: peak Konyarnika (1782 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 9.5 km

Elevation gain: 400 m

Total duration: 3 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Konyarnika - one of my favorite places on Vitosha.

A selfie with Cherni Vruh in the far distance

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

I: lingerie, Burda raglan blouse, Sinclair Journey zippered Sweater

From Konyarnika I took the path down to Zvezditza and Edelweiss Huts

More crocuses

I had my snack at hut Zvezditza and from there continued down the trail to Zlatnite.

February daphne, обикновено бясно дърво, тилилей - може да се каже, че съм била в гори тилилейски :)

Kopitoto, February 2025

Today's was a quick, but very satisfying hike from Zlatnite to Kopitoto and back through Momina skala. The round trail is one of my favourites, when we are looking for something short in the higher parts of the mountain. 

The day was cloudy, but warmish, even at the 1500 m altitude. To my surprise the snow at the skirts of the mountain had completely melted, at the higher altitudes there's still plenty of it, but the trails are well trodden and easy to hike.

Hike info:

Date: 28 Feb 2025

Destination: peak Kopitoto (1345 m), lowest point of the hike

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 9.5 km

Elevation gain: 140 m

Total duration (plus picnic): 2 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Although the trail is easy and fairly popular, there were no other people but us on it. Maybe because it is Friday, a work day, maybe because of the forecasts for rain, which turned completely false, maybe because it is the long weekend here in Bulgaria and most Sofia residents are travelling further to take full advantage of the holiday.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve, Orange Hat

I:  lingerie, socks, Sinclair Lotte blouse, CC copycat hat, gloves

Without blue skies, the pictures look mostly black-and-white :)

We had our picnic on our favourite bench on the meadow, with a view to the city down in the distance. It was so satisfying to be back in the mountains, I hope the cold weather is behind us and I'm looking forward to our spring hikes.