Our traditional autumn hike around the village of Kladnitza, in the southern slopes of Vitosha. I don't know how many years it's been, that we do this hike, but it has become an inseparable part of our annual hiking program. Sometimes we vary it a little and this year we decided to add a peak to the circle and an alternative track for part of the trail, but one thing is certain - the forest in this part of Vitosha in October is magical.
After the cold spell the previous week, the day was fantastic - sunny and warm, just perfect for an autumn hike. It got so warm in the afternoon, that I finished the hike, wearing only a sleeveless top - and I am usually a freeze-baby :)
Hike info:Date: 21 October 2026
Destination: round trail Kladnitza peak Krusta
Mountain: Vitosha
Total length: 16.4 km
Elevation gain: 560 m
Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 hours 30 min
Average difficulty: 4.5 / 10
A late summer flower
The beech and birch forests around Kladnitza are simply extraordinary in the autumn - I couldn't stop taking pictures of the colorful leaves.
Me-made items, worn on this hike:
Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda hoodie
I: lingerie, Sinclair blouse, leg-warmers
We decided to have our lunch on the slopes of peak Krusta, in the open sun and it was divine!
Our view from the slope - the vast field of yellow grasses of the plateau and the numerous peaks of Vitosha and Rila in the distance - already covered with snow. We spent at least an hour, drinking our warm herbal tea and munching our tortillas and home-made jam filled muffins.
Then we decided to continue the climb up to peak Krusta (1561 m).
A deer ran nearby and a flock of partridges scattered scared as we stepped on the peak.
On peak Krusta, with a view to Studena dam and Pernik
Down the trail through the plateau, my most favourite part of this hike. We saw several more deer jump around the fields and heard a male deer roar.
After the plateau the trail runs down though forests and open fields and circles back to the village of Kladnitza.
