Summertime at Vitosha Mountain

BNR, Lina Ivanova, Margarita Dikanarova, July 22, 2008

Vitosha Mountain has been Sofia’s enduring heart-throb - always there for you, just a glance away from the capital city.
In winter time it spreads out vast lanes of snow that make excellent skiing runs.
In summer it welcomes capital city residents, seeking to get away from their daily routines. According to statistics about 3 million nature lovers take a trip to and up Vitosha Mountain yearly.
Dessislava Gyurova is a flora expert at Vitosha Nature Park Department. She offers a few tips on the best way to enjoy the mountain in summertime.

“Apart from enjoying the cool in the highest-lying parts of the mountain, one can come across a wide variety of blooming plants, coming in all manner of colours. But I’ll specially mention here the yellow tulip, the symbol of the Vitosha Mountain. Most of the plants are rare and protected species. There are peat areas, which are very valuable for conserving great amounts of water and thus giving life to numerous rivers, streams and brooks. All of Mount Vitosha’s major rivers - Dragalevska, Bistrishka and Vladaiska spring from the protected peat areas across the mountain’s high plateau. However, woodlands occupy most of Vitosha Mountain. Beech woodlands are said to be favoured the most by hikers, though coniferous forests offer no less alluring spots, trails and refreshing cool in the blazing hot summer”, says Dessislava Gyurova.

A great number of karst springs are to be found in the southern areas of the mountain, where mineral water springs gush forth in Vitosha’s foothills. Although it abounds in water, Vitosha has no lakes to speak of. Trekking in the mountain, tourists do not need to stock on water before they set out on their trail - they are bound to come upon a running water fountain at some point on the trek trail.

For the curious and open minds there are three museums where they can learn a tremendous deal about local plant and animal life. These are the Bear Museum, The Owl Museum and The Dragonfly Museum. The Brown Bear, the largest beast of prey in these lands, can be sited on Vitosha Mountain.

“The Dendrarium is a very interesting area, lying at a comparatively low altitude of 1000 m. The place prides itself on several educational alleys as well as a botanical alley for blind people, featuring 26 tree and shrub species, all described in Braille as well. There is also a purpose-built, aclinal alley for people with various physical disabilities. Children are high on the agenda too; there is a Children’s Information and Entertainment centre, featuring three children’s playgrounds, equippedd with special Boards providing information on plants and animals”, said Dessislava Gyurova.

Should mountain trekkers be overtaken by night in the mountain they should not worry: they will easily be accommodated either at a chalet, hotel or rest house at prices within their reach.