Alinsky Monastery

The unusual summer temperatures for our latitudes continued during the first fortnight of April - no complaints, keep up the Mediterranean weather! So this year spring is almost a month ahead compared to previous years and on Plana early in April the trees were already in bloom. Our hike there on the first Saturday of April was a leisurely walk up and down mountain trails with breathtaking views to the snow-covered peaks of Rila, framed by the blossoming plum trees on Plana.

The photo-reportage from our hike might seem a bit monotonous - snowy peaks and blossoming trees, but I just couldn't stop myself taking pictures of these beauties :)

Hike info:

Date:  06 April 2024

Destination: Alinsky Monastery

Mountain: Plana

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 200 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Vitosha on the other side of Plana

The trail to Alinsky monastery is a bit unusual, as it starts somewhere mid-altitude at 1220m , goes up and down until it reaches some 1280 m and then down to 1060 m at Alinsky monastery - the lowest altitude point of our hike.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims II, orange Burda fleece jacket

Husband: men's boxers, Knipmode cargo pants, green blouse

We had our picnic and first beer outdoors for this year :) on a hill above the chapel. As usual along these trails in the lower mountains around Sofia, we were the only hikers there.

Across the fields - the hills of Manastirishte, the summit of Plana (1336 m)

Alinsky Monastery 2023

Another more or less "traditional" hike during the early spring months - to Alinsky monastery in the Plana mountain. This is definitely one of my favourite trails, as it is more or less level, with open tracks, here and there some woods and quite unpopular. I know I often qualify the unpopularity of the trail as one of its merits and that might sound misanthropic, but climbing with hundred of others like one does along the trails to Cherni vruh, Musala and other popular destinations, kind of defeats the purpose of the hike - to enjoy nature, beauty and silence.

We hiked to Alinsky Monastery on Sunday, the day of the fifth election in two years in Bulgaria. We chose to start early and hike first and vote later, which could easily explain the total lack of other tourists along the trails.

St Kipryan chapel

The day was sunny, with some chill in the air, but still warm. The cold and snow were to come later in the week.

Hike info:

Destination: Alinsky Monastery

Mountain: Plana

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 200 m

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

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

 

My love for Rila's snow covered peaks never tires :)

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, socks, Sabrina Slims II, Burda hoodie

Husband: men's boxers, Knipmode cargo pants, orange blouse

To spice up the hike, we rose the speed and covered the trail in less than 3 and a half hours with the picnic. At one point I was sure I would have muscle aches on the following day, but I was OK actually.

The church of Alinsky Monastery. We had our picnic on the grass on the hill by the church

Alinsky Monastery 2022

Saturday was the last of a bunch of really warm and pleasant spring days we enjoyed last week. For our hike we chose again a low mountain near Sofia and a trail, which  has become a staple in our spring and autumn hiking itinerary. 

Although I did bring the DSLR with me in the car to photoshoot husband's new orange hat, I decided to leave it in the car, so only phone photos again.

:The picturesque St Kipryan's chapel near the start of the trail. On a sunny weekend its grounds are usually occupied by picnicking families and parked cars and I rarely get the chance to take a nice picture of it, but this Saturday we started early and were ahead of the crowd.

:The purple crocuses were just in their most glorious peak and I kept taking pictures of them all the way

Hike info:

Destination: Alinsky Monastery

Mountain: Plana

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 200 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

:Surprisingly, there were still some patches of snow left here and there

:As on Lulin mountain last week, apart from the spring flowers, spring is still a few days / weeks away in the mountains - no green grass, no flowering or leafing trees

:The high peaks of Rila are still covered with deep snow, which shines beautifully under the April sun

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, socks, Sabrina Slims, Burda hoodie

Husband: men's boxers, Knipmode cargo pants, orange hat

:The only building of the ancient Alinsky monastery, still remaining standing nowadays - the XIV century church. We had a very delicious lunch here on the grass, facing the church, and headed back.