Boboshevski Ruen and the Cave of St John of Rila NEW
A one-day hike to Boboshevski Ruen peak in the Vlahina Mountains, with the cave of St John of Rila, two monasteries and views of Rila and Pirin.
We start at the Ruen Monastery above the village of Skrino, which tradition holds to be the birthplace of St John of Rila. We visit the cave where, as legend has it, he lived as a hermit, then climb a modest peak with an immense view. The way back follows old forest paths past the medieval Boboshevo Monastery. It's a day where mountain and history walk side by side, just an hour and a half from Sofia.
Tour Highlights
- Boboshevski Ruen peak (1,134 m)
- Two monasteries in one day: the Ruen Monastery of St John of Rila and the medieval Boboshevo Monastery of St Demetrius
- he cave traditionally linked to the hermit life of St John of Rila
- The view from the Cross over Skrino village and the Struma valley
Price Includes / Excludes
Price Includes
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Licensed guide
- Transportation during the program
- Travel insurance with limit - 500 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
Price Excludes
- Food
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
We leave Sofia early along the Struma motorway and reach the Ruen Monastery of St John of Rila above Skrino in about an hour and a half. A ten-minute forest path brings us to the cave where, according to tradition, the young John lived as a hermit before withdrawing to the Rila Mountains. A little higher, at the Cross, the first big view opens up: over Skrino, the Struma valley and Rila.
We continue through woodland and open meadows to Boboshevski Ruen (1,134 m), the highest point of the Ruen section of the Vlahina Mountains. The altitude is modest, but the panorama would do a 2,000-metre peak proud. On a clear day you can see Rila, Pirin, Vitosha, Verila, and the Konyavska and Osogovo mountains. In spring, wild lilac and peonies bloom along the trail.
From the summit we descend along the open ridge, facing Rila, to the Boboshevo Monastery of St Demetrius, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we return to the Ruen Monastery on a wilder forest path, narrow and overgrown in places. We head back to Sofia in the early evening.
Important:
Three seasons trekking equipment
Shoes
Suitable shoes for the mountain, according to the weather forecast. High ankle or low shoes. You may wear sneakers to change into at the end of the program
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes.
Backpack cover - in case of rain
Clothing top
Depending on the season and weather conditions
T-shirt or thin thermal base layer - from merino or synthetic. In no case cotton material
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation - a thin down jacket is recommended. Evenings and mornings in the mountains, temperatures are low. No expensive down jacket needed
Wind and water proof jacket
Thin hat and gloves
Buff
Clothing bottom
Depending on the season and weather conditions
Comfortable long pants - in the perfect case with zippers for ventilation
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Summer hat
Sun cream with high protection
Buff with UPF protection
Rain protection
Raincoat
-or-
Waterproof top and bottom
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: