Cherni Vrah, Mountain summit in Vitosha, Bulgaria
Cherni Vrah is the highest peak of the Vitosha range near Sofia. The mountain features a broad flat summit area surrounded by expansive stone fields and multiple hiking routes.
Ancient visitors reached this peak, and the mountain later became a destination for organized hiking expeditions. A shelter built in the early twentieth century marked the start of more structured mountain activities on the summit.
The first organized group ascent in 1895, led by Aleko Konstantinov with 300 participants, established the beginning of Bulgarian organized tourism.
The peak is accessible from several trailheads on the south side of Sofia with routes ranging from moderate to challenging. A restaurant and shelter at the summit allow visitors to rest and have food after the climb.
Water draining from this location flows toward two different seas, splitting between river systems heading north and south across the Balkans. This natural watershed quality makes the peak a geographical crossroads for regional waters.
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