Simeonovo Lakes - Hizha Aleko

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views

From Simeonovo lakes follow the yellow-blazed trail that heads directly up Vitosha mountain and runs parallel to the stream. As you move up the trail, there will be many trails that go around wet patches; do your best to stay on the marked trail. After 1.2 km, the trail turns sharply to the east and away from the stream. Here the terrain changes and become much less rocky and more manageable.

At 2.6 km, you'll pass under the Simeonovo Gondola and shortly also pass Hizha Severina. The trail flattens out here for the next 1km+ until you reach a road that will bring you to the base of a ski run. Here the trail markings are tricky; stay to the left towards the ski lift where you'll find the yellow-blazed trail now joined by the green-blazed trail leading up the hill next to the stream.

Here you are back to climbing, switching between the forest floor and slick boardwalks over wet terrain. At 5 km, you'll reach the main road up Vitosha and a monument to Pavel Romanski who died in 1931 skiing in this area (his death lead to the creation of the mountain rescue service.

Here you can either choose to cross the switchback in the road to the buildings on the other side or stay behind the guard rail and continue to the next ski lift. Again, the yellow-blazed trail is visible immediately behind the the lift buildings. Head up the moderately steep trail that skirts a ski run and eventually drops you out on the main road about 200m from Hizha Aleko.