Malyovitsa Peak Snowshoeing Tour (2729m)

~ Itinerary ~

Day 1: Starting point is the area of Malyovitsa (1730 m.), 1,5 hours drive from Sofia. 1 hour trek to Malyovitsa Hut (1960 m.), our overnight accommodation for tonight. Additional walk and familiarizing with the equipment.

Day 2: Early morning ascent to the top of Malyovitsa (2729 m.) and descend back to yesterday’s starting point in the afternoon. Totally 6 hours, +800/-1000 m.

~ What to bring ~

Documents:
• Passport
• Local Insurance (included in the price)
• Pocket money

Gear:
• Hiking boots – waterproof and warm, above the ankle, stiff sole
• Water and windproof jacket with a hood
• Water and windproof trousers
• Rucksack
• Warm hat, thin pair of winter gloves/mittens
• Thermal underwear, light down jacket or a warm fleece
• Sun protection – sun cream, sunglasses, sun hat
• Snowshoes and trekking poles (included in the price)
• Crampons and ice axe (included in the price)
• Personal Rescue Equipment – beacon, shovel, probe
• Water bottle or, preferably, flask – 1/1,5l
• Snacks, lunch pack

~ Difficulty ~

The program is challenging and is suitable for individuals with some previous hiking and winter walking experience.

~ About the area ~

The valley of Malyovitsa is situated in the northwest parts of Rila Mountains – easily accessible from the capital Sofia, it is a good weekend, or even a day, destination. About an hour and a half drive via the town of Samokov and village of Govedartsi takes you at 1730 m. elevation where a small ski area is placed. There are a few ski runs and one of them is proud with, as the legends say, “the oldest drag lift on the Balkans” still operating – which makes it a marginal place for piste skiing. But the reason for most of the people to come here is higher up – where you enter the area of Rila National Park, the valley gets narrower and surrounded by an impressive peaks.

About an hour away from the ski center and above the tree line is located Malyovitsa hut – the main base for hikers, climbers and skiers in this area. Dominating the view is mount Malyovitsa (2729 m.) – with its vertical north wall it it considered as a symbol of the Bulgarian alpinism. Not seen from the valley but not less impressive are the other high peaks in the area, including the highest – Golyam Kupen (2731 m.) The main hiking route goes to the top of Malyovitsa (average 2,5-3 hours up).