For many residents and guests of the Bulgarian capital, a walk on Vitosha - the mountain rising in the immediate vicinity of the city - is an irreplaceable pastime.
It only takes half an hour to reach the Golden Bridges area of Vitosha, from where numerous trails around the mountain start.
An easy and pleasant route passes through the Composers hut (also known as the "Red Riding Hood" hut), located at an altitude of 1446 m.
From there, a dirt road through the forest leads to a junction merging with another path leading up the mountain to numerous other sites.
It passes by the small ski slope of the Opheliite area, a favorite of children during the weekend.
After about a 30-40 minute walk uphill through mountain meadows, crossing a paved road and a beautiful forest, you can reach another favorite Vitosha hut - the Edelweiss hut, located at an altitude of 1771 m.
The route is ideal for a one-day hike in the mountains in both winter and summer.
Text and photos: Rositsa Petkova