Simeonovo - Dragalevski Monastery

The first days of May came with Gaby and cold weather, unrelated :) Despite the biting cold, we managed to squeeze a hike, literally between the raindrops, on Saturday and drove to Simeonovo, one of the residential areas of Sofia at the skirts of Vitosha mountain. 

The beech forest was already wearing its green spring uniform and was beautiful and enchanting. The cold rain, however, had turned into snow during the night and there were scattered patches of snow on the grass and a few fallen blooming trees. 

The sun was partial, mostly hidden behind the clouds, the air was cold, but the brisk pace and the engaging conversation with our daughter kept us quite warm.

Hike info:

Date: 02 May 2026

Destination: Dragalevski Monastery

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 310 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The trail is very pleasant and almost level, most of it is part of the low altitude Vitosha circuit.

The Aleko waterfall - after all the snow and rain this winter, the rivers are quite full watered.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda blouse, Burda cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, leg warmers

Gaby: lingerie, Sinclair Journey jacket, knitted hat 

We had our picnic at the picnic area near the Dragalevski monastery, enjoying delicious tortillas, herbal tea and coffee together with lovely table talk. 

We had a quick walk around the monastery grounds and headed back to the car along the same trail. 

The Aleko waterfall again, from another angle

Despite the forecast for rain, the clouds held tight and the rain started only after we were already in the car on our way back home. A very enjoyable hike, even with the unusual May cold.

Simeonovo - Dragalevtzi 2025

We've hiked the easy trail from Dragalevski Monastery to Simeonovo lakes many times, yesterday however we decided to drive to Simeonovo, leave the car there and walk the trail to Dragalevski monastery and back. 

The start from Simeonovo added some 3 km total to the hike and a good cardio exercise at the beginning of the trail, where the hiker has to cover a significant elevation gain. The pay off - we had our lunch at the picnic area near the monastery, which was nice and quite comfortable.

As we get usually Fridays off,  when we can and the forecasts are favourable, we prefer to hike on Fridays, especially along well frequented trails, like the low altitude circuit of Vitosha.

Yesterday was no exception - the trail was quiet and empty, with a fellow hiker here and there and without the weekend crowd. Unlike the previous week, the weather was sunny, but with clouds and chilly winds, so we had our sweaters on most of the time.

One of Simeonovo lakes - there are several of these, forming a cascade along the river

Hike info:

Date: 09 May 2025

Destination: Dragalevski Monastery

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 310 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The beech forests on Vitosha are simply marvelous in May, when they are just covered in fresh greenery.

The Aleko waterfalls - the highest point of the trail, literally but also figuratively

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda blous, Burda cargo pants

I: lingerie, Central Park cardigan

The picnic area near Dragalevski monastery, where we had our well deserved delicious lunch. A wood nuthatch flew casually on the neighboring table during our picnic :)

After the lunch break, we took a short walk around the grounds of the monastery

And the Aleko waterfalls again, on the way back, this time from the other side

Dragalevtzi 2024

We continue with our exploration of Vitosha, yesterday along a familiar trail from Dragalevsky monastery to Simeonovi lakes and back along the same track. This is probably among the easiest hikes we've done lately, short and close to home, with little elevation gain. However, for the beech forests on Vitosha and the Aleko waterfall May and early June are probably the best time to visit, so our hike was very pleasant and enjoyable.

Although the difference between the lowest and the highest altitude along the track is only 100 m, it's a mountain, so there was still constantly up and downhill hiking and the trail was not always as level as on this photo :)

Hike info:

Date: 01 June 2024

Destination: Simeonovi lakes

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 10.2 km

Elevation gain: 100 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 hours

Average difficulty: 2 / 10

A glimpse towards Sofia on the fault of Skakavitza river. I haven't checked, but wouldn't be surprised if Skakavitza (jumping) and Bistritza (clear) are the most common names of Bulgarian rivers :)

Aleko's waterfalls, the crux of the trail

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda shortsleeve blouse

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims I, Burda raglan blouse, Burda Hoodie

The first of the Simeonovi lakes on the Starata reka river

We had our lunch near the river and headed back along the same track

After we got back to the parking lot, we left our backpacks and went to the nearby Dragalevsky monastery, just to have a look at its grounds

Bistritza - Simeonovo 2023

Unfortunately, the weather during the long weekend (this Friday was our National holiday) was cold and cloudy, so we decided that it was not worth it to travel far and settled for a hike in the nearby parts of Vitosha.

Due to the high humidity, the air smelled divinely of pine and freshness.

The trail we hiked - from Bistritza to Simeonovo lakes and back, is part of the low circuit of Vitosha. It is quite easy and with little elevation gain, and consequently rather popular, even on a gloomy day. Still, much better than its counterpart, the trail from Bistritza to Zeleznitza, which is usually more crowded than a popular alley in the central park.

Hike info:

Destination: Simeonovo lakes

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 12 km

Elevation gain: 130 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 h 30 min

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Knip Mode cargo pants, hat

I:  lingerie, CC copycat hat, Borika gloves, Tweed Chaika sweater

Though we can't really complain this year, the winter was so mild and snowless, I'm glad it is over and spring is definitely in the air.

We had our picnic on this lovely clearing between Simeonovska river and one of its tributaries. 

On our way back the clouds dispersed and the sun was finally out. Hopefully, plenty of sunny days ahead.