A one-day winter ascent of Svishti Plaz (1,888 m) above Zlatitsa – on snowshoes along an open Stara Planina ridge with wide views all round.
We set off from the Zlatitsa Pass – the old road between northern and southern Bulgaria – and climb on snowshoes to the main ridge of the Balkan range. We follow the broad, open crest over Kapalu and Kurduna, with the white dome of Svishti Plaz in front of us all day. One explanation of the name is that it comes from the wind whistling through the gullies below the summit – and it is rarely calm up there. There are no technical sections, which makes this a good choice for a first winter summit, but it is a full day – around 6 hours on foot and 750 m of ascent through snow – so you need to be in good shape.
Tour Highlights
- Svishti Plaz (1,888 m) – winter views south to Zlatitsa and Pirdop and east to Malak Svishti Plaz
What's included
Included
- 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
Compliment from the agency
- Showshoes — snowshoes may be required during this program. If you don't have one, we will provide it to you completely free of charge
Not included
- Food
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
We leave Sofia and take the Sub-Balkan road to Zlatitsa, then drive up the Zlatitsa Pass to the Kashana saddle, its highest point – about an hour and a half in all. At the car park we put on our snowshoes, the guide checks everyone's kit and gives a short briefing, and we set off.
From the saddle a wide path climbs towards the main ridge, and before long we are above the trees. From here on we are in the open: we follow the marker poles along the broad crest, cross Kapalu and carry on to Kurduna (1,822 m). To the north lie the peaks of the Teteven Balkan, and ahead of us the white dome of Svishti Plaz is in view the whole way. After Kurduna we drop into the next saddle and reach the foot of the summit.
The last fifteen minutes or so are the steepest part of the day – a short, honest climb straight up the slope. On the summit (1,888 m) a granite plaque carries the peak's name, and on a clear day the view opens south over the Zlatitsa–Pirdop valley and its two towns, east to Malak Svishti Plaz, and west to Murgana, Etropolska Baba and the ridge we came along. The wind rarely lets up here, so we take our photos, add a layer and don't linger.
We return the same way – back along the ridge over Kurduna and Kapalu to the Kashana saddle and the bus, and drive back 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: