Our sixth consecutive March hike to Lakatnik was a long time in the making. We’d been waiting for the perfect window for days, and when the forecast identified last Thursday as the only "semi-suitable" day - offering mild temperatures and a zero percent chance of rain - we seized the opportunity. We cleared our schedules and caught the train toward the Iskar Gorge.
As expected, the day was mild but breezy, with clouds occasionally blocking the sun's warmth. However, given how relentlessly cold, dark, and wet this year has been, it was evidently the best we were going to get this spring. For now, at least.
Hike info:
Date: 26 March 2026
Destination: Lakatnik Eco Trail
Mountain: the Balkans
Total length: 10.8 km
Elevation gain: 300 m
Total duration (plus rest): 3 h 20 min
Average difficulty: 3 / 10
I've written many times about this trail, it's a nearly circular route, that is fairly easy and definitely very scenic and absolutely worth the train ride from Sofia and back.
Me-made items, worn on this hike:
Husband: men's boxers, socks, grey longsleeve, Burda cargopants
I: lingerie, Burda blouse, Burda hoodie
Spring was clearly waking up in the gorge. The dogwood trees were in bloom, and violets and mountain primroses had already begun to replace the hellebores and crocuses. All the clouds and rain in the world can’t stop the warmth that’s waiting for us just ahead!
We enjoyed our usual tortillas and small beers at our traditional spot: a stony platform overlooking the river, the gorge, and the mountain ridges beyond. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of the hike.
On the way back, we decided to stop for a quick peek into the
Temnata Dupka (Dark Hole) cave. We only ventured about 40–50 meters inside to see the bat colonies.
Despite knowing these are harmless insect-eating creatures, seeing them hanging from the cave ceiling right above my head definitely gave me the creeps!
And back to the train station, waiting to catch our train home to Sofia.
