Easter on Polovrak 2026

After a string of gray, rainy days, Easter was sunny and warm. This year Gaby stayed in Vienna (we are expecting her later this month), but Alex decided to join us on our traditional Easter hike. 

Although we visited peak Polovrak only a month ago, we chose it again for its nice open trails, beautiful views and easy access from home.

The view from the Lozen monastery to the Sofia valley

Because of the holiday, the monastery was well visited and the nuns surprised us with dyed Easter eggs as a good wishes greeting for every visitor.

The forests towards the peak are gradually filling in with grass and flowers

Hike info:

Date: 12 April 2026 

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 10.5 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The last steep stretch towards the top of the mountain

Dam Iskar and Rila in the far distance

Vitosha with its fresh snow cap - the snow there will last at least till June.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

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

I:  lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, legwarmers

Alex: Burda T-shirt, hat 

As usual, we had our tortillas, painted Easter eggs and kozunaks (Easter bread) slices on the sunny meadow near the peak. It was warm, quiet and divinely peaceful.

On the way back we took alternative trails, so that we managed to make the hike almost entirely circular.

The trees in the mountains are still bare, but spring is definitely in its reign now.

Polovrak In Early Spring 2026

We are back in Bulgaria and back on track! The spell of beautiful, sunny spring weather continues, and we are making the most of it. Last week, we headed to the Lozen Mountains to climb one of our staples: Peak Polovrak.

It’s a manageable 10 km hike with a highly rewarding picnic spot at the foot of the peak. With views stretching across Plana, Rila, and the Iskar dam—what more could one desire? 

Since it was a Friday, the Lozen Monastery and the trails were nearly empty, which is exactly how we like it.

The early spring flowers are hurrying to soak up the March sun before Baba Marta changes her mind and brings back the cold and snow, as she is known to do every year!

Hike info:

Date: 13 March 2026 

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 10.5 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): approx. 3 h

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Alpine squill

Common hepatica (гълъбови очички) - my most favourite spring flower

Despite the spell of warm days, patches of snow still lingered above the 1000 m altitude.

My husband, scouting an alternative path to the peak

Green hellebores

Grape Hyacinths (кукувиче грозде)

Sofia in the distance and the village of Lozen nestled at the foot of the mountain

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda hoodie, socks

I:  lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, legwarmers

Our homemade tortillas and the first beers of this season tasted exceptionally good under the warm sun

Dog's tooth (Erythronium)

Meadows with yellow crocuses

Pancharevo On The Brink of Spring

It was such a beautiful day today, Alex had a day off and although we are flying tomorrow and have a lot to prepare, we decided to hake a few hours and hike around Pancharevo lake.

Spring is definitely in the air and the trail was spotted with plenty of yellow crocuses

The fresh green grass is starting to displace the old grass and leaves

Hike info:

Date: 6 March 2026

Destination: lake Pancharevo

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 130 m

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

Average difficulty: 2 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, socks

I:  lingerie, Page hoodie, CC copycat hat, socks, leg warmers

Alex: knitted hat, RTW hoodie turned into zippered hoodie

The weather was very mild and pleasant, the sun was strong and despite the lingering chill in the air, my jacket and winter hat stayed in my backpack the entire duration of the hike.

We had our lunch with herbal tea and tortillas on our usual spot on the stairs, overlooking the lake, basking in the strong early spring sun.

After a hearty lunch, we continued our walk along the lake. Most of the winter birds seem to have gone, though we still saw the pair of swans, plenty of cormorants, herons and ducks.

I'm so glad Alex was with us, we enjoyed a very lively and engaging conversation. It's always such a pleasure to share your favourite places and experiences with your loved ones.

I'm really happy we snatched this beautiful day and spent a few hours in the open.