Peak Selimitza, Vitosha 2025

On one of the hottest days of the year husband and I decided to hike high up on the plateau in the open and in the sun, instead of staying put at home, as normal people do. Crazy, right :)

We started fairly early, but it was one of those days, with equatorial nights, that were hot right from sunrise, even above the 2000 m line. Well, of course, the temperatures there were in the 20-ies, not in the 40-ies degrees, as down in the city.

We started from Zlatnite mostove in the direction of Kumata hut, where we refilled our water bottles and some additional water containers for the hike - bitter experience has taught us to carry excess water rather than risk dehydration during hikes on hot July days.

Konyarnika - the place is practically a raspberry garden, alas it's still early - the raspberries need a couple of weeks or so to ripen.

The plateau - my favourite part of this trail, with a glimpse to Ushite and Kamen del from a different point of view

Hike info:

Destination: peak Selimitza (2041 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 17 km

Elevation gain: 650 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 hours

Average difficulty: 6 / 10 

Peak Samara and Cherni vruh in the distance

Our destination - peak Selimitza. Surprise, surprise - a pile of rocks :)

This is our second climb of Selimitza, one of Vitosha's dozen. The day was hot, the peak is a bit aside from the popular tracks, so it was no wonder, that we were the only ones around for miles :)

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, green Burda T-shirt, orange Burda T-shirt

I: lingerie, Burda blouse (mostly in the backpack), Burda shorts

Although it is probably the lowest of the Vitosha's dozen peaks above 2000 m, it is one of the most panoramic, with views in all directions, stretching from the Balkans to Rila and Pirin.

We had our lunch directly on the stones under the sun, cooled by the constant breeze on the top, enjoying our cold(ish) beers and the vast views.

On the way down we took the long and winding trail through huts Zvezditza and Edelweiss to Zlatnite mostove.

Selimitza and Samara

A glorious hike we did on the first day of September. The day started sunny in the city, but got quite cloudy and even chilly once we reached the plateau.

We started from Zlatnite mostove, along the well marked and fairly popular trail through Kumata hut, Koniarnika, along the plateau to Cherni vruh. However, our destination point this time was not Cherni vruh, but another peak, one of Vitosha's dozen of peaks above 2000 m altitude - Selimitza.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Knipmode cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sabrina Slims I, raglan Burda blouse, hoodie

 

The trail climbs gradually and reaches the plateau, where it stays almost level for a couple of kilometers. The landscape is really fascinating there - the grassy alpine meadows, surrounded by stone peaks.

 Hike info:

Destination: peak Selimitza (2041 m) and peak Samara (2103 m)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 16 km

Elevation gain: 725 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 7 hours

Average difficulty: 5 / 10 

On peak Selimitza (2041 m). Here we had a quick lunch, as we were losing rapidly heat in the cold. The sun was still strong and when it managed to break through the clouds, the air quickly warmed up, but unfortunately while we were around Selimitza, the cover of clouds stayed above our heads almost the whole time.

A view from Selimitza towards Cherni vruh and Samara

A glimpse to the south with dam Studena

On our way back we decided to climb one more peak of the dozen, that was almost on our way - Samara (2103 m). Here the clouds moved away a little and we managed to warm up. There were plenty of blueberries and cranberries at the foot of the peak and we gathered a small box. I made blueberry pie out of them and it was unbelievably tasty! 

There were very few people along the trails on the plateau and it felt like such an adventure, climbing these rarely visited peaks.

On the way back we came upon raspberry bushes with plenty of last ripe raspberries, so now we have 6 more small jars with raspberry jam :)