VITOSHA MOUNTAINS & CHERNI VRAH PEAK

One of Sofia’s most valued assets is Mount Vitosha – a symbol inextricably linked with the history, folklore and the climate of the Bulgarian capital. With only 20 minutes drive from the center of Sofia and you are already in the hearth of Vitosha Nature Park. This is the oldest nature park on the Balkans preserving amazing biodiversity in balance with a myriad of  human outdoor activities as trekking, skiing, paragliding, moutain biking, ect. The mountain is also considered the cradle of the Bulgarian tourism, since the first ever organized group hike in Bulgaria was to its highest peak Cherni Vrah (2290 m). Century-old forests, spectacular views of postcard sceneries, amusing rock formations (known locally as the stone rivers), exceptionally rich wildlife, meadows filled with rare flowers and crossed by pristine streams, ski runs and great walking paths – this is Vitosha, almost a stone’s throw away from Sofia’s center. Our day walking tour will easily justify your expectations from the first minute of your walk to mountains highest summit Cherni Vrah to your last steps to the Golden Bridges. Are you still hesitating about booking the tour? Look south at skyline silhouette of Vitosha and you will dither no more.

Guided Tour (11 km / 7 miles; climbing 500 m/1600 ft & descending 500 m/1600 ft)

This is a small group guided tour that starts early in the morning with a half an hour transfer to Aleko Hut – located at 1840 m at the foothill of Cherni Vrah. After a short walk without much of a ascend you will reach the alpine part of the mountain. From here you can enjoy a bird-eye point of view of Sofia and some of the other nearby mountains. The walking route continues uphill along Torfeno Branishte (The Peat) Reserve to reach the summit of the mountain – Cherni Vrah. Enjoy the fabulous sights from the top with a cup of hot herbal tea, which you can by on spot. From here the road descends and transects the alpine zone and then continues along to iconic rock formations named Goliam and Malak Rezan, where there are plenty of wild flowers. You final stop will be at the Aleko hut. There are some restaurants offering mainly grilled meat and soups. If you have brought your own food you can ask your guide to make a stop along the way for a lunch break. Your mountain guide will be with you throughout the tour giving you directions and insights of the mountain’s forests, wildlife and history.

GUIDED TOUR

INCLUDED:
+ All transportation and parking costs
+ English speaking guide throughout the trip. We can provide a guide in other languages. Please inquire.
+ Meeting point pick up at 08:30 at the back side of the Alexander Nevski cathedral in front of La Cattedrale restaurant

NOT INCLUDED: 
– Food and drinks
– Mountain insurance
– Hotel pick up: 5/10 Euro per pick up (not per person)

Tour starts: 08:30
Tour ends: 17:30 (approx.)

FOOD: there are a few huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, French fries, tea, pancakes), but if you come prepared with a sandwich or two we can stop at any place to enjoy our food.

DIFFICULTY AND WHAT TO BRING ALONG: this walking route is moderately arduous, without steep paths. Please bring along comfortable hiking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.

MOBILE NETWORK COVERAGE: On the most part of the route there is a mobile network coverage.