Polovrak January 2025

It had been three full weeks since our last hike and I was craving clear air and mountain views. The day was promised to be sunny and warm on Polovrak and we packed our backpacks and climbed in the car, although the morning in Sofia was dark, gloomy and foggy.

It got even more foggy towards the village of Lozen and we began to wonder, whether this would be one of those rare hikes in the fog with almost zero visibility.

But once we were high enough above the village at the parking lot, where the trail starts, the fog was left below and the sun was shining bright in the sky. That phenomenon of fog and smog in winter in the Sofia valley is really bothering me, as I am a sun-oriented person and the months under the blanket of smog are a real downer.

The first spring crocuses are out. The forecast for the beginning of February is for cold and snow, but today it felt, like spring was around the corner. I'm not a winter person, I can't wait for the sunnier and warmer months.

Hike info:

Date: 31 January 2025

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 10 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

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

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve, knitted socks, orange hat

I: lingerie, sweater, CC CopyCat hat, gloves

The thick cover of smog over Sofia

We had our pieces of freshly baked banitza and cups of hot herbal tea on the peak, looking at the ranges of mountains ahead and the Iskar dam in the distance and enjoying the warm January sun.

Polovrak on a Gorgeous October Day

Today was again one of those days, when, after a spell of rainy and cold weather, we managed to free a work day and go on a hike on a spectacularly sunny and warm day, that simply could not be wasted in a cold and dark work room. 

We chose a nearby trail, which we frequent at least twice a year, and the feeling of hiking after more than half a month of staying put, was truly exhilarating for me.

A short stop at the beautiful grounds of Lozen monastery, which is situated along the trail to peak Polovrak.

Hike info:

Date: 15 October 2024

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 20 min

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

 

The final climb - the peak, which is usually crowded on weekends, was completely empty. There were actually no people on the trail and we enjoyed our picnic on the peak in complete quietude and tranquility.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims III, Burda blouse, Central Park knitted hoodie

The sun was strong, so we slowly ate our sandwiches and basked in its warmth. I hope that this autumn has in store at least a few more such sunny days.

Polovrak on a Sunny Day, 2024

Another gorgeous sunny Friday! Husband and I chose for our hike today peak Polovrak in the near Lozen mountain.

As we were here only two months before, today we chose partially a different route. The weather was definitely very pleasant. The northern slopes of the mountain, which face the village and the start of the trail, had some frost and the air was not very warm, but the sun was strong.

Hike info:

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 20 min

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

As soon as we crossed the ridge to the southern slopes of Lozen, the temperature and the terrain changed - the air was warm, the grass dry and there were purple crocuses - the first spring flowers we saw this year.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Knip Mode cargo pants, green Burda blouse, socks (scarf in the backpack)

I:  socks, lingerie, Plantain Top, "Page" hoodie (CC copycat hat, Borika gloves in the backpack)

We had a long and leisurely picnic on the peak, basking in the warm sun and enjoying the view to Iskar reservoir and the snow covered peaks of Rila. We drank our fresh-made rose-hip tea and relished the silence and solitude - this must be one of the most lonely hikes we've made recently, for the whole duration of the hike we met only a man and his dog at the beginning of the trail :)

After our long picnic, we went down the peak along the southern slope and then took a different path back to the village, following our maps on OruxMaps. We explored this track last year for the first time, it is an interesting alternative.

Unlike the sunlit southern slopes of Polovrak, the tracks at the foot of the peak in the forest were dank and sunless, alternating with sunlit open areas and south facing sunny paths. Considering, that we are only mid-February, I simply can't complain of the weather - we are lucky to have so much warmth and sun at this time of the year and I hope the nice weather will keep.

Polovrak on a Sunny November Day, 2023

In the forecasts for this week Tuesday looked like an oasis of sunny and warm weather among rainy days, strong winds and even snow. So husband and I decided to shuffle our plans a little, free Tuesday and go hiking in the nearby Lozen mountain.

It was a gorgeous day, probably the last for this year with temperatures in the range of 16-18 C.

Hike info:

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 9.5 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 h

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The Lozen monastery. We had a glimpse at its grounds and bought a jar of wild flower honey.

The Sofia Valley between Lozen and Balkan mountains

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Knip Mode cargo pants, Teal blouse

I:  lingerie, Burda Top

Rila to the south

and Vitosha to the west

The peaks of Rila are already covered with the first snow

We had a wonderful picnic on the grass, basking in the warm sun. The place was empty and quiet, complete bliss