Mecha Glava, a prominence on the North side of the Rila Mountains, at the foot of Musala. A trail through the woods with fleeting glimpses of the plains below and the mountains of Romania in the distance.
Light in the trees.Low Cloud.Looking South.Watch Tower or Hunters Hide?Seed Pods.Ski Jump Tower.Chair Lifts, out of operation.Back to Borovets.
At the edge of town there is a paddock, where some wilder looking groups sell horse and pony treks to the tourist families. This walk to Mecha Glava I got from them, whether it was the “Butch” I spoke with or not, they were friendly and helpful and welcomed me back as I returned on the footpath through their camp. Another good day in the hills and among the trees around Borovets.
One of my targets for this trip to Borovets was to climb Mount Musala, the highest peak in the country. I did as much research as I could from the UK over the internet, and it seemed achievable even for an amateur like myself. I’ve been on trips in winter before so I am not completely unskilled, I just don’t get to use those skills often enough. The forecast for the week was better early, so I headed out on Tuesday, which proved to be the best day of the week, windy but bright and with high broken cloud. In the end, it proved a challenge but with a bit of perseverance I made it to the top. I got the Gondola to the Yastrebets station and walked from there, a round trip of 6 hours, the return slower by the heat causing the snow to become soft and making the going slow as I sank deeply every few steps. All worth it in the end, with the experience and the pictures being for me great things.
Across the valley.Leaving the ski area and heading for the mountain.A view of the Musala Hut, at the head of the valley.A warm-up slope, Musala Summit in the background.Looking back down the valley.At the foot of the final ridge next to the Chalet Ledenoto Ezero. You can see the marker posts showing the way, very useful.Chalet Ledenoto EzeroOn the way up. A View.First sight of the Rila Mountain range South of Musala.On the Summit, 2925m.Summit Met Station.Looking back to the summit.
Hard work but well worth the trip. I’d like to go back in summer and do a longer trek through and around the Rila range. A friendly place, with fantastic views.
After a night’s rest, and a look around Borovets to get my bearings I headed out on a family trail to Black Rock. The walk served a couple of purposes for me, a leg stretch and some needed fresh air after the travelling. It also showed me the quality of the map I had of the area (or the idiosyncrasies of the map) it was a little loose on detail and spot accuracy. It did give names and rough directions so it helped, and along with the summer graphic map from the tourist office meant I didn’t get entirely lost. On the whole it is worth the trip and the views from the rock are good. It’s a forest walk, zigzagging around the foothills and valleys of the Rila Mountains.
Choices.Half Built Drifting Through the Trees.Signage, Always Good.Some Signage is less than Helpful.And more signs.Sunshine and Snow.Blue Sky and Sun in the Clear Air.Forest Green.Mountains in the Distance.Views.Picnic Spot.I Just Keep Seeing Signs.Picnic and Sunshine at Black Rock.Summerhouse.More…Looking Down from Black Rock.Up the Valley.Views.Black and White.The Black Rock Path.Black Rock Platform.
A week ago I was in Borovets, Bulgaria. A cheap package tour that meant I could go to the mountains and do some walking up there, with the bonus of climbing the highest mountain in Bulgaria. But that is for later, I arrived late Saturday night after a good trip and was up Sunday to look around. I wanted a quick wander, to get a feel for where things were. So first day in Borovets, here are some getting the feel of pictures.
Main Street.Side Street.Here it starts, Ends about 1000m higher.Afternoon shade.The bottom of the slopes.A Beast of a Hotel.
As a note, this hotel blocked any views out of the near mountains from my hotel. Very brutal building, that dominated the bottom of the slopes. The side roads and little lanes wee more interesting.
At the Eastern end of town.
Walking to the edges of this small town, you see some real life, broken buildings and other styles of living. Like the horse riding Butch and his band of rough coated horses. Selling trips of all lengths to people of all sizes.
The Yellow House.Block built hotel ruin.A faded grand house.
I’m always surprised by the buildings in Europe that will be left to collapse back into the ground, even when they are situated in such places as this.
Grand House, detail.
Earlier I walked the 4 miles to the famous “Black Rock” a viewpoint hanging high over a valley with views to Romania. Next time though, for now just keep enjoying the weather. It’s been interesting since I got back with some great swathes of freeze and thaw running across the UK, be safe, but brave the elements. You will feel better for it, we all need to feel the outside world around us from time to time.
A walk through the world between places 