When You're Sick But Still Want a Hike - Pancharevo

I caught a bug last week and I've been still fighting it off, together with the other members of our family, who quickly got it from me. Unfortunately, though a garden-variety rhinovirus, it is persistent and very virulent. It was really bad luck, as we had our Indian summer last week and husband and i were planning our last big hike - Strashnoto ezero on Rila.

Given my state (congested nasopharynx, mild fever), a seven hour heavy duty climb was out of the question, but staying indoors on the last warm and sunny days of the year was simply unacceptable to me, so we chose a nearby short easy trail - and we had a wonderful time! For me a walk in nature is always the best medicine!

Hike info:

Date: 8 October 2026

Destination: lake Pancharevo

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 8.5 km

Elevation gain: 130 m

Total duration (plus picnic): 3 hours

Average difficulty: 2 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda hoodie

I:  lingerie, Sinclair Journey zippered sweater

 

Early October autumn in the mountains is at its best - so colorful and warm.

Despite the perfect weather, the day was a work day and the atmosphere around the lake was very laid back and quiet - not your weekend usual hustling and bustling with people, athletes and fishermen.

This time we decided to skip our usual picnic place around the lake and continued along the river Iskar to a few less frequented gems of the area. 

We had our picnic on a meadow on the other side of the lake, enjoying the warm sun and the peaceful views. And yeah, no beer for me this time - herbal tea with tortilla and home-made muffins with fig jam, which I baked in the morning.

On our return to the car we explored the opposite bank of the river, until we got back to the road by Kokalyane water power station. I am always amazed, when we find new places in regions we've hiked dozens of times.

Himalayan balsam - we hadn't seen that plant before. It is native to the Himalayas, but was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and has aggressively spread throughout European countries, thriving in damp, nutrient-rich soils right along riverbanks, lakeshores, and wetland edges. An interesting fact - its ripe seed pods build up internal tension and explode upon touch, shooting the seeds far away. I tried it and it is fun and a bit startling to experience.

Pchelina Dam 2026

As is our tradition, after a hike on Rudina mountain, we drove to the village of Potzurnentzi, for the short walk to Pchelina dam and the chapel on top. 

The Friday afternoon was windy, but warm, there were no people on the rocks and we enjoyed a couple of hours of complete peace and quietude. 

Hike info:

Date: 2 October 2026

Destination: Pchelina

Mountain region: Kraishte

Total length: 7.5 km

Elevation gain: 160 m

Total duration (plus rests): about 2 and a half hours

Average difficulty:  2 / 10 

We spent at least an hour on the warm grass, basking in the sun, drinking our beers and watching the birds and boats on the lake. I cherish a lot these hours of quiet solitude, of being completely disconnected from the daily routine, thoughts and worries and being entirely present in the moment.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Sinclair blouse

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda hoodie

The picturesque rocks above the lake hold a very particular charm for me and it is a joy, when we manage to spend some quality time there.

The days are still long and warm, but autumn is already here and it will soon be time for shorter nearer hikes and warmer clothes. As every year, winter is inevitably coming :)

Rudina Mountain 2026

Friday was forecast to be very sunny and warm and we decided that it was time for one of our favourite double hikes in the Kraishte region - Rudina mountain and Pchelina dam.

We drove to the village of Sirishtnik first and climbed the peak of Rudina mountain along the well maintained eco-trail, called "A view to nine mountains". The day was truly sunny and warm, but the wind was quite strong. 

It was a work day and the trail was completely deserted, as we like them.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

I: lingerie, Sinclair blouse, knitted legwarmers

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda blouse, Burda hoodie

 

The trail is very steep, but fairly short - only 4 km, so it took us less than an hour and a half to get to the top.

Hike info:

Date: 02 October 2026

Destination: Sirishtnishka Rudina (1172 m)

Mountain: Rudina

Total length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 480 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 hours

Average difficulty:  4 / 10

 

The numerous mountains of Kraishte, as seen from the peak

We stayed on the peak only for a few minutes and immediately started back down the trail.

For our picnic we had chosen a nice bench along the trail, with this breathtaking view to Rila and Pchelina dam. And yes, we took our time to enjoy our tortillas and beers, soaking in the picturesque landscape.

A curious frog, lazily basking in the autumn sun by the chapel 

First Autumn Hike - Polovrak 2026

We usually try to stay away from popular trails on weekends, but we can't always help it. So, when we decided to hike to peak Polovrak on Sunday, we expected some presence, but the crowds that met us at the parking lot, where we found a parking place with difficulty, totally blew our minds away. Everybody and their granny were in the Lozen mountains this Sunday :)

We turned on the turbo pace and climbed the section to Lozen monastery in no time. 

We stopped at the monastery just for a couple of minutes, to take a look at the grounds and the Sofia valley from the monastery wall and continued up towards the peak.

The chill is already in the air, some of the leaves are yellowing and it felt like our true autumn hike this year.

The autumn crocuses, кърпихожух, are confirming it - the summer is over.

We pushed with the same high tempo to the peak, overtaking all of the big groups on our way.

Hike info:

Date: 27 September 2026

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 10 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 h 30 min

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, legwarmers

Some new construction on the peak - I like it.

Our high pace provided us some time, before the majority of the large hiking groups got to the peak, so we managed to have our beers and tortillas, followed by freshly baked home-made muffins and coffee, in peace and quiet, enjoying the gorgeous views to Iskar dam and the distant Rila ridges.

We returned to the car along an alternative trail, as we love to do, when possible. Polovrak is definitely one of our most favourite peaks - beautiful landscapes, nice picnic place, super easy and quick access from home, easy distance - what is there not to like :)