Simeonovo - Dragalevski Monastery

The first days of May came with Gaby and cold weather, unrelated :) Despite the biting cold, we managed to squeeze a hike, literally between the raindrops, on Saturday and drove to Simeonovo, one of the residential areas of Sofia at the skirts of Vitosha mountain. 

The beech forest was already wearing its green spring uniform and was beautiful and enchanting. The cold rain, however, had turned into snow during the night and there were scattered patches of snow on the grass and a few fallen blooming trees. 

The sun was partial, mostly hidden behind the clouds, the air was cold, but the brisk pace and the engaging conversation with our daughter kept us quite warm.

Hike info:

Date: 02 May 2026

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 trail is very pleasant and almost level, most of it is part of the low altitude Vitosha circuit.

The Aleko waterfall - after all the snow and rain this winter, the rivers are quite full watered.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda blouse, Burda cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, leg warmers

Gaby: lingerie, Sinclair Journey jacket, knitted hat 

We had our picnic at the picnic area near the Dragalevski monastery, enjoying delicious tortillas, herbal tea and coffee together with lovely table talk. 

We had a quick walk around the monastery grounds and headed back to the car along the same trail. 

The Aleko waterfall again, from another angle

Despite the forecast for rain, the clouds held tight and the rain started only after we were already in the car on our way back home. A very enjoyable hike, even with the unusual May cold.