Alinsky Monastery in the Autumn 2025

Today we were planning a hike a bit far from home, but at the last minute we decided that the weather was not promising and the long drive was just not worth the short hike under gloomy skies. 

So, we chose Plana and the trail to Alinsky monastery and I am absolutely delighted with our choice. The drive was at least an hour shorter, the trail was lovely and lonely - we met nobody during the entire hike and the weather, though mostly cloudy, was invigorating and atmospheric.

St. Kyprian chapel at the start of the trail. The iconic tree of the chapel is now completely broken, but still miraculously alive. 

The trees are catching up with the cold weather and the leaves are turning yellow and red

Hike info:

Date:  10 October 2025

Destination: Alinsky Monastery

Mountain: Plana

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 220 m

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

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda blouse, remodeled Black hoodie

I: lingerie, Sinclair blouse, Burda hoodie, leg-warmers

We had our tortillas and beer on a hill above the old church. Somebody up there must love us, as the sun broke the heavy cloud cover and shone on us during our picnic - it was divine!

And back along the same track

The first skiers are already enjoying the snow on Vitosha, but we prefer to watch it from afar - I'm not done with autumn yet :)

An encounter on the track - a medium size Aesculapian snake