Matteo from BULGARIA writes:
Botev, the highest peak of Stara Planina mountains. On the not very spectacular top there is a huge weather station. About 100m below west you will find a hut/shelter which opens all year, but don't expect any service, the host is very lazy and often not present, even when the hut is open. The sleeping rooms have no windows and are horrible, wasted with fungus. Recommend only for emergency.
Be aware also of heavy fog and clouds around the peak! There are no trees and many hikers have died after loosing orientation.
In summer and autumn I recommend to climb from Karlovo. There are the huts Hubavets, Ravnets, Balkanki Rosi and Levski on the way, which are all better than Botev hut.
From Kalofer it's also possible to climb up, but the hut Ray (paradise) it's really not paradise! Unfriendly, not heated!
From North, Apriltsi, Vidima, via Pleven hut (good) it's very steep, good to walk also in spring.
2017-02-10 |