image for Zelenikovski Monastery

Zelenikovski Monastery - hiking trail

timer 5h00
988m landscape
trending_flat 9.4km
470m trending_up
hiking Moderate
470m trending_down

General information

Getting there

This remote region near Cherni Osam, located in the Troyan Municipality, is best reached by car.

Starting point coordinates: 42.804277, 24.774207

Information about the hike

This hike takes you to Zelenikovski Monastery close to Troyan. The monastery is sometimes also called Monastery "Saint John the Forerunner" or Monastery "Saint John the Baptist".

The circular GPS track which you can find below is quite adventurous, because one part of the route is overgrown with vegetation in some places (at time of writing - January 2022). If you prefer a shorter hike with easier pathfinding you can simply follow the part of the GPS track that takes you to the monastery starting next to the river and go back the same way. This will make the estimated time only 3 hours in total. This includes a break at the monastery. The below description, GPS track and photos are based on the longer, more challenging, circular option.

This hike begins with a somewhat steep ascend through a mixed forest. After the forest, you approach a tiny, mostly abandoned village with wonderful views towards the high peaks of the Stara Planina mountain range.

After the tiny village you will later descend and cross a small stream. After the small stream an area where some forest was cut down is reached. In this short section of the hike, the GPS track might be a bit off since pathfinding between the fallen trees and the snow was hard. The time estimate for this walk is taking into account snow and pathfinding. Keep looking for blue markings on your way to the monastery as they will help you. The path is not well maintained at time of writing so keep a close eye on the map to ensure you're heading in the correct direction. Look on your right side every now and then to catch more views towards the highest peaks of the Central Balkan National Park, including the famous Botev Peak.

Once you reached the monastery, the pathfinding will be much easier. You will descend through the forest on a narrow path and later reach a dirt road on which you walk about 30 minutes back to the starting point.

Route info

Click to load map and elevation profile

Click to load map and elevation profile

Photos

The "adventurous path" starts between these two small buildings
The
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Old signs like this help you guide the way
Old signs like this help you guide the way
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Fairly steep ascent in the beginning
Fairly steep ascent in the beginning
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Snowy path in winter
Snowy path in winter
Date taken: 19/01/2022
House in the mostly abandoned village
House in the mostly abandoned village
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Some houses are falling apart
Some houses are falling apart
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Few houses are well maintained
Few houses are well maintained
Date taken: 19/01/2022
A tree overgrowing an old arrow
A tree overgrowing an old arrow
Date taken: 19/01/2022
A newer arrow to the monastery
A newer arrow to the monastery
Date taken: 19/01/2022
A view towards the highest peaks of the Stara Planina mountain range on the way to the monastry
A view towards the highest peaks of the Stara Planina mountain range on the way to the monastry
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Approaching the monastery area
Approaching the monastery area
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Zelenikovski monastery
Zelenikovski monastery
Date taken: 19/01/2022
A building next to the monastery
A building next to the monastery
Date taken: 19/01/2022
Descending towards the river on the way back
Descending towards the river on the way back
Date taken: 19/01/2022
The river in winter
The river in winter
Date taken: 19/01/2022

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