Rilska Skakavitza 2025

One of our most favourite places - the valley of Skakavitza river in the Rila mountains and the big waterfall at the end of the valley. We hike here almost every year and it is always a fulfilling and at the same time different experience.

Yesterday was Saturday and August, so by definition the place was packed, unlike last year, when we hiked mid-July on a Friday and we were almost the only people for the entire 13 km of the hike. The day was warm, but cloudy, very pleasant for a hike in the high mountains.

I haven't posted lately about sewing, because I haven't done much lately, but in these pictures you can see my latest make - a pair of mid-calf leggings by Love Notions. The pattern is free, intended for children up to 14 years old and I've long ago found out that the largest children size fits me perfectly and I prefer them to the adult legging patterns I have.

Hike info:

Destination: Rilska Skakavitza Waterfalls

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 585 m

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

Average difficulty: 4 / 10 

The valley of Skakavitza river was at its best - green and colorful and full of flowers.

We climbed up the waterfall to a terrace in the mountain wall and had our lunch there, overlooking the valley.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Burda hoodie, Burda blouse

I: lingerie, Love Notions LDT tunic, Love Notions joggings

Our lunch place. We found a small plantation of big ripe blueberries, growing there and picked a small box for a couple of blueberry cream cakes.

For our return back we chose the long alternative trail through the forest, where we picked another small box of berries - this time raspberries. Lots of berry cream cakes in our nearest future :)

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

Lanina Mogila 2024

On Sunday we hiked in another nearby low mountain - Lozen. It has been sometime since we last climbed peak Lanina Mogila, one of the peaks, accessible from the village of Lozen. I have a fondness for this peak, as it has an amazing view and our picnics on top are always exclusively pleasant, but with the years the trail to the top is becoming uglier from the jeeps and ATVs people drive around and I don't think I'll be keen on climbing it soon, starting from the village of Lozen.

Goren Lozen. Because of its proximity to Sofia, the village is quickly becoming a suburbia with large mansions and a lot of construction work.

Husband adores tasting wild plums, wherever we go :)

A praying mantis on the trail:

My favourite southern part of Lanina mogila, a bit away from the village and its industrial looking trails

We climbed the southern slope of the peak without a trail, free "gliganing" style

  The views from half-way to the peak

Hike info:

Date:  08 September 2024

Destination: Mt. Lanina Mogila (1188 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 480 m

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

Average difficulty: 3 / 10 

On top of Lanina Mogila - we met only a few other hikers on Sunday, otherwise it was a fairly lonely hike.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

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

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims I, Burda T-shirt

 

The view from our picnic spot, which makes it all worth it

The saddle between Lanina Mogila and Small Lanina Mogila

Dolen Lozen

We took a short detour to a small waterfall in the area

Sakoshki waterfalls