Pchelina 2025

As has been our tradition for some years now, after Rudina mountain, we climbed in the car and drove to the village of Potzurnentzi, at the outskirts of which are situated the beautiful grounds of Pchelina dam.

The drive from Sofia to the village of Sirishtnik is fairly long, the hike on Rudina mountain short, so it really makes more sense to combine both of these places in one day, with the distance between the two taking less than half an hour by car.

As it was Saturday and a sunny and warm May day, the place was unfortunately packed with people, including some, who had the audacity to drive along the dirt tracks right up to the foot of the chapel. I really don't know what the solution to nature preservation is - over-regulation is a bad idea and not all pieces of nature can be turned into national parks, so most of the times it is up to the consciousness of the people themselves and their desire to care and protect the beauty around us, not only to exploit and consume it. 90% of the people actually understand that, but those 10% ...

We walked up to the high rocks above the dam and then gradually down towards the lake, where we found a quiet spot, drank our cold beers and enjoyed the views and the birds.

Hike info:

Date: 03 May 2025

Destination: Pchelina

Mountain region: Kraishte

Total length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 160 m

Total duration (plus rests): 3 hours

Average difficulty:  2.5 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Burda blouse, Knipmode flared joggings, (Houndstooth Hoodie in the backpack)

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda blouse, (Burda hoodie in the backpack)

After probably an hour at the dam, we decided to do a little reconnoitering and explored the grounds under the high rocks, where we found a perfect place for our picnic next time we come here :)

On our way back we took a detour, away from the dusty road - a bit longer walking, but totally worth it

Pchelina 2024

After the leisurely hike on Rudina, husband and I got into the car and drove to the nearby (about 30 min by car) village of Potzurnentzi for our almost annual visit to Pchelina. As I've written here repeatedly, this is one of my most favourite places not too far from Sofia and I absolutely adore staying on the rocks and looking at the calm waters of the lake down.

We do this combined double hike almost every time we drive in this direction, but we had never done it so late in the year. The days in November are definitely shorter and with the winter time, at 15:30 in the afternoon the sun was already low on the horizon.

The place was empty, with only sporadic distant dog barking and bird quacking disturbing the stillness.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: men's boxers, Burda Cargo Pants, Burda longsleeve, Hound's Tooth Hoodie

I:  lingerie, Sinclair longsleeve, Hound's Tooth Hoodie

We sat on the rocks, had our small snacks of cheese pie and cold beer and enjoyed the scenery. 

Hike info:

Date: 08 November 2024

Destination: Pchelina

Mountain region: Kraishte

Total length: 7.5 km

Elevation gain: 160 m

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

Average difficulty:  2 / 10

The sun was getting quickly lower and at some point the dozens of ducks started gathering and moving in the other direction of the lake - it was magical!

We stayed almost till sunset, it was so pleasant and relaxing! Next year we plan to take the tent and spend the night at the lake, but in the warmer part of the year.

Pchelina in October

We had planned the outing for my birthday as a two day hiking trip, so for the second day we had our choice between peak Viden on Konyavska mountain and Pchelina dam. The latter is a place we visit at least once a year and we love to no end; both of these options conveniently were on our way back from Kuystendil to Sofia. 

Initially, we had chosen peak Viden, as it is something new, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a small peak far from Sofia, that on itself does not seam to justify such long driving. However, the prospect of having our lunch picnic under the warm October sun by the shores of the Pchelina dam outweighed the novelty of peak Viden. And I do not regret it for a second!!!

We had never visited the place that late in the year and it certainly looked more yellow and burnt compared to the lusciousness it exudes in May. Still, it was so peaceful, so quiet and calming, that I felt I could have stayed there for hours, watching the birds and the waters of the lake.

Hike info:

Destination:Pchelina

Mountain region: Kraishte

Total length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 160 m

Total duration (plus rests): about 3 hours

Average difficulty:  2 / 10 

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Raglan Burda blouse

Husband: men's boxers, Orange Burda blouse

 

We had our lunch at the end of the cliffs, watching the herons and the ducks and admiring the calm waters of the lake, turned into a mirror. Such an unbelievably warm and sunny autumn we are  having this year, I'm sucking up with delight every minute of it.

We're definitely coming back here next year, preferably on a work day, I just can't get enough of it :)

Pchelina 2023

Our traditional spring hike to Pchelina dam. This place is so damn beautiful, it can really make your heart sing. I only hope this is not the last time we see it in its glory, as there were signs of construction works and uglification around it :(

The dirt road to the rocks was ploughed up and widened, the shrubs on the sides cut and mutilated, and some parts of the lands around the dam were cordoned and under construction. This place is one of the few really naturally beautiful places around and it should be protected from development :((

Thankfully, the land and paths around the chapel were more or less untouched.

Hike info:

Destination: Pchelina

Mountain region: Kraishte

Total length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 160 m

Total duration (plus beer pause): over 3 hours

Average difficulty:  2 / 10

The day was quiet, and unlike Pchelina on weekends, when it is packed with tourists, we were the only people on the rocks for quite a while. It was divine, just to stay lazy in the sun, to watch the water and the birds and to sip our beers.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Houndstooth Hoodie, Green blouse

Husband: men's boxers, Knipmode cargo pants

 

 

After a long pause on the rocks we continued downstream and walked around the dam.

 

We should always come here on work days, that's settled!