Vitosha -the Mountain of the Capital

Vitosha is located in the western part of the country, standing majestically above Sofia, the capital city.

Black Peak (2290 m), its highest summit, makes it the fourth highest mountain in Bulgaria and, as was already said, it was the first on the Balkans to be declared a nature park. This happened in 1934. Thanks to its proximity to the country’s capital Vitosha has become the perfect hideout from the noise and crowds of the big city. There are many different ways to approach the mountain so just half an hour will be more than enough to complete your flight from civilization to the wild and peaceful embrace of nature.

Its cool, shady coniferous woods are great for picnics in the late spring, summer and early autumn and if you are a devoted walker the mountain’s eco trails will be there for you all year round. The adrenaline junkies won’t be disappointed too. Vitosha’s sheer slopes are ideal for mountain biking while its lofty barren hills are the favourite take off points of paraglider pilots. If you like skiing or snowboarding, go to Vitosha in the winter. All you need to do is ride the Simeonovo gondola lift or drive to Aleko Ski Centre. There you will find several excellent ski trails of various difficulty and tons of precious moments.

The Stone Rivers, Boyana Waterfall and Duhlata, the longest cave in Bulgaria, are just three of the must-see natural landmarks hidden in Vitosha’s deep, green recesses. Boyana Church, located at the very foot of the mountain, is for those who are interested in religion and history. It is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.