Ambaritsa (Levski Peak, 2,166 m) NEW
A one-day winter ascent of Ambaritsa (2,166 m) in the Central Balkan – up by chairlift from Sopot, then on snowshoes to views of the whole main ridge.
The chairlift above Sopot saves us more than 800 m of climbing and in about twenty minutes lifts us over the Rose Valley straight into the winter mountains. From there we snowshoe up past Dobrila hut to a summit that has officially been called Levski since 1942 – though hikers still know it as Ambaritsa, the "granary", where legend says the hero Krali Marko kept his stores of grain. There are no technical sections, but it is a full day – around 6 hours on foot and 800 m of ascent through snow – so you need to be in good shape and have some mountain experience.
Tour Highlights
- Ambaritsa (Levski Peak, 2,166 m)
- Winter views east to the Kupen peaks and Botev, south over the Rose Valley to Sredna Gora
- The brightly painted Ambaritsa shelter on the summit itself
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Travel insurance with limit - 500 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
- Licensed guide
- Transportation during the program
Not included
- Food
- Lift — 16 € two way
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
We leave Sofia early in the morning and in about two hours reach Sopot, the hometown of the writer Ivan Vazov, set at the foot of the Balkan range's steep southern slopes. From the lower station the chairlift carries us for about twenty minutes over the Rose Valley to Pochivaloto (1,389 m). Here we put on our snowshoes, the guide checks everyone's kit and gives a short briefing, and we set off uphill.
The first part of the way to Dobrila hut is steep, but we soon enter the forest and the gradient eases. We pass the old upper lift station, and shortly after leaving the trees we reach Dobrila hut (about 1,800 m), on the saddle between Dobrila and Levski peaks and on the Kom – Emine ridge route. After a short break we carry on towards the summit.
From the hut we head east, following the winter marker poles. The first slope is steep and brings us onto an open rise where the white dome of Ambaritsa comes into view for the first time, with Botev far off to the east. A gentler stretch along the ridge follows, with views north and south, then a short final climb and a few minutes along the crest to the top. At 2,166 m we are greeted by the small, brightly painted Ambaritsa shelter. On a clear day the whole alpine ridge of the Central Balkan is laid out from here – the Kupen peaks and Botev lined up to the east, the Rose Valley below us to the south, and Sredna Gora rising beyond it. The wind rarely lets up on the summit, so we take our photos, add a layer and don't linger.
We return the same way – back down the ridge to Dobrila hut, where there is time for a hot tea, and down through the forest to Pochivaloto in good time for the chairlift down to Sopot. Return to Sofia.
Important:
Winter trekking equipment
Shoes
High shoes with hard sole and membrane
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. Please come to treks with a backpack suitable for trekking. Very often, each participant needs to attach snowshoes to their backpack, and this cannot happen with urban backpacks
Backpack cover - in case of rain or snowfall
Clothing top
Тhermal base layer
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation
Wind and water proof jacket
Hat
Gloves - 3 pairs of gloves, one thin, one medium thick and one for very bad conditions
Buff
Clothing bottom
Тhermal bottom base layer
Winter pants
Gaiters
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Sun cream with high protection
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles with winter feathers
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: