We have been to Koprivshtitsa many times and every time we thought about going to Pavel Deliradev hut. This Saturday was appropriate and we left Smilovene hotel at about 10:00am to go up the Byala River or as locals call it Byala Rechka.
The road is in a forest and gradually brought us to the ridge. Unfortunately, it was pretty dirty at some places from loggers. Plastic bottles, plastic bags and other undegradable waste. We hope the foresters will clean up after them. Up on the ridge there was a shelter with a fireplace, but the weather was very nice and we still had long way to go, so we left. The marking is good. The ridge is marked in winter markings. Unfortunately, in some places, especially on some crossroads the mark was missing. The published GPS track shows such a swerve from the way as a result of our confusion. With a free GPS application for iPhone we managed to get directions and navigate. From the highest point of the route there is a splendid view of Central Balkan. From Pirdop (recognized by the chimney) to Karlovo. There were lots of mushrooms, but we do not recognize them ... Instead we ate lots of raspberries. They were so many along the road and at such height so we did not have to bend to get them. Eat while your lips and hands turn red. About 1 hour before the hut there is one haidouk spring with cold water - do not leave it behind. We left with only 1 liter of water and it was a mistake. Up on the ridge that was the only spring. We arrived at the hut around 15:30. The whole route is about 3:30 hours, but we're not from the fast mountaineers. To my great disappointment was that the to hut there was an asphalt road from Panagyurishte. After a short stay we turned back, because we did not want to walk in the dark. This time we got 2 liters of water, which is enough for two people. We arrived back in the tavern of hotel Smilovene (called Byala rechka too) at 20:30. It's been almost 30 kilometers and we were tired enough.
The path is ideal for riders with crosses machines, cyclists with good equipment and well trained or jeeps, but real off-road machines and not city type jeeps.
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