Cherni Vruh and Golyam Rezen 2025

Today we decided to make our annual climb of Cherni Vrug, Vitosha's summit. We used to climb it along the shorter and steeper trail from Aleko, but during the last several year we found that we actually prefer the slow and gradual climb along the much longer "King's road".

The day was sunny but windy and with some chill in the air, very pleasant for a hike in the high mountains.

Globeflower (витошко лале), Vitosha's emblematic flower

The plateau and peak Kamen del in the distance

Peak Luvcheto, one of Vitosha's dozen (peaks above 2000 m), located in a protected water-supply zone.

We climbed the longer main trail, passing by peaks Maluk Rezen and Golyam Rezen.

Cherni vruh is behind me

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda t-shirt

I: lingerie, Lotte blouse in the backpack

 

We had our lunch on the peak, sitting on a couple of rocks, sheltered by the wind, with a view to Golyam Rezen, Skoparnika and many other peaks.

On our way back we decided to try and climb Golyam Rezen. The entire area around the peak was a military zone and was with restricted access, but the barbed wire, that guarded the place is now removed. Being uncertain of the state of the place, we entered the zone, found the peak, took a few pictures there and left quickly - out seventh peak from Vitosha's dozen.

 

The view from Golyam Rezen 

 

Hike info:

Date: 20 June 2025 

Destination: Cherni Vruh (2290 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 14 km

Elevation gain: 500 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 4 / 10 

On our way back we took the even longer roundabout trail by Goli vruh - a day of slow hiking and complete enjoyment of the mountain.

Cherni Vruh, Skoparnika and Kara Chair July 2024

Last year we started a sort of a collection - the twelve official peaks on Vitosha above the 2000 m. They are known as Vitosha's dozen and up until last July we had only climbed (numerous times) Cherni vruh. In 2023 we went up Maluk Rezen, Selimitza and Samara. This year we decided to continue with our dozen's collection, adding two more peaks - Skoparnika and Karachair (aka Bezimenen).

We started from Aleko hut along the winding trail, so called king's way.

The day was a bit cloudy and with a light chill in the air, just perfect for climbing. The trail to Cherni vruh passes by three of the dozen peaks, but two of them - Luvcheto and Goliam Rezen are said to be in restricted zones, although I've read many descriptions of hikes to these peaks and we'll probably research further and climb them one day.

Peak Luvcheto (2052)

We passed by Maluk Rezen (2182 m), which we climbed last year and Goliam Rezen (2277 m), which is in a prohibited area and climbed Cherni vruh.

Here we had a cup of hot sweet herbal tea in the cafeteria and continued our hike to the two new peaks of the dozen - Skoparnika and Kara Chair

Hike info:

Date: 05 July 2024

Destination: Cherni vruh, Skoparnika, Kara Chair

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 17 km

Elevation gain: 500 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 4.5 / 10

Cherni vruh, seen from the east

Skoparnika - there was a barely visible trail, but the direction was pretty clear - up.

The top of the peak is very stony

An artistic composition on the peak, representing the four directions

On Skoparnika (2226 м)

The next of the peaks is not far - Kara Chair is easily accessible from Skoparnika along the ridge

A view to the south, where lie the other four of the dozen. Next year we might plan something about them

On Kara Chair (2208m)

After Karachair we took the trail down, towards Kupena lodge. The trail was not properly marked on the map and we lost it at some point and continued down directly through the grasses and stones.

We had our picnic here, on the grass, among the beautiful pink flowers

Once near Kupena Lodge, we took the trail back to Aleko

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims I, Burda raglan blouse

Cherni Vruh - a Real Winter Hike

This week we took advantage of the sunny and relatively warm winter weather and planned a second hike - a genuine winter hike to Vitosha's summit - peak Cherni Vruh. 

Unlike the hikes in the low mountains, hiking above 2000 m in winter means cold, wind, lots of snow and ice. Despite the bright sun and the blue skies, the temperatures above Aleko hut were low and the wind was brutal and during our ascent it was headwind, which clearly made climbing even more difficult. Still, there were at least a few dozen fellow hikers up and down the track.

We started from Aleko hut along the winter trail to Cherni vruh and it took us approximately one hour and 45 minutes to reach the peak. Despite the strong wind, which quickly covered the hikers' traces, the trail was very well maintained with the help of snow bulldozers by the local services.

Hike info:

Destination: peak Cherni Vruh (2290 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 480 m

Total duration (plus rest): 3 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 6 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: boxers, socks, Knipmode cargo pants, Knipmode blouse, sharf

I: lingerie, socks, hat, chocolate Hipster shawl, Grasser blouse, reserve green gloves in the backpack

We had our quick lunch at the station on the peak, where we drank our homemade rose hip tea, with rose hips we picked on Tuesday during our hike to Manastirishte. We liked it so much, that this year we plan to pick more local herbs for our tea during our numerous hikes.

The descent was much easier, and though the wind got even stronger, it was blowing in our backs, which was so much preferable to the headwind upwards.

On the way back we chose the longer summer trail by peak Goli vruh.

I wouldn't place this hike among the mountain monster hikes, like Vihren or Ruen, but it was definitely an adventure:)