Course description
The start/finish location is situated in the center of Velinovo village. The course starts on the asphalt road in direction of Glogovitsa village. After about 1 km the trail leaves the road and continues to the right on a dirt road through loose forest and meadows. After about 2 km the trail passes by the Saint Elias chapel (Sveti Iliya paraklis). One-kilometer steep ascent to the highest peak of Ezdimirska Mountains – Golemi Vrah (1219 m) begins from there. The trail coincides with the tourist trail (blue marking) to the top. Once on the top, the trail follows a steep rocky descent along its southeastern rib to the valley of the river Pravka. There is a small river crossing that exits on an asphalt road (about 6.5 km from the start). This is where the “Pravka” aid station is located. A steep climb to the top of Gruynitsa peak (1243 m) in Paramunska Mountains follows. This section gains a little over 400 m of elevation only for about 1.3 km. From the top of Gruynitsa peak, the trail goes over the ridge of the mountain. The trail, after a series of smooth descents and ascents, reaches the important “Paramun” junction (1.6 km from Gruynitsa). The “Paramun” junction is located about 9.5 km from the start.
From the “Paramun” junction continue along the ridge and after about 1 km climb the highest peak of Paramunska Mountains – Strazha (1389 m). From there a steep and rocky descent to the Lyalintsi village begins. This section of the trail coincides with the tourist trail (red markings). The distance from Strazha peak to the Lyalintsi village is about 2.7 km, and the loss of elevation is about 480 m. The “Lyalintsi” aid station is situated in this village. Next is a steep climb to the top of Lyubash peak (1399 m) – the highest peak of the mountain with the same name. The trail coincides with the tourist trail (red markings) from the Lyalintsi village to the top of the mountain. This section gains almost 500 m elevation in about 2 km. From Lyubash peak a steep and in some places wild descent (mostly through the forest) to the west follows. The trail goes on a dirt road in a field (1 km from the peak). Take this road and go right (north). The important “Polyana” junction is located after about 2.5 km. “Polyana” junction is 18.7 km from the starting location.
From the “Polyana” junction, continue in the west-southwest direction and after about 2.7 km the dirt road will end at an asphalt one. At this point turn left (south). This is exactly the location of the “Milkyovtsi” aid station. Run about 50 m along the asphalt road and leave to the left on a dirt road, which takes a clearly defined ridge in a southeasterly direction. The ridge leads to an open area, and from there it continues west through a beautiful beechwood. The forest path gains elevation and leads to the neighboring nearly treeless hill, along which in the southern direction it climbs Kopran peak (1308 m). From the “Milkyovtsi” aid station to Kopran peak is about 4 km (+420 m). From Kopran peak, the trail follows the main watershed ridge of the Balkan Peninsula through the Erulska Mountains. Climb the Redovanica (1287 m), Shilkovets (1323 m) and Rosen (1360 m) peaks one by one. Smooth ascents and descents alternate one after another and in about 6.5 km you reach the asphalt road between the villages of Dushintsi and Erul. Take to the left (south) on this road and after about 100 m turn right for Erul Monastery (Erulski manastir), and you reach it in about 500 m. The “Erulski manastir” aid station is located there.
Golemi Vrah (1481 m) – the highest peak of Erulska Mountains is to be climbed next. From Erul Monastery to the top, the trail coincides with a tourist trail (red markings). In this section, the trail gains about 350 m elevation for about 4 km. There is a descent to the west from the peak to a clearly pointed junction (about 1.3 km from Golemi Vruh). From the top to this junction, the trail coincides with a tourist trail (red markings). From this junction, take on the right (north) to a dirt road that lays under Golemi Vrah. After about 2 km this dirt road joins the previously mentioned tourist trail. Bypass the junction for the Erul Monastery and continue along the ridge to the north. From here the trail is about 2.5 km away from Erul (Krushche neighborhood) village and an asphalt road. After reaching it, run on it for only about 100 m, farm’s buildings stay on the right. Leave the road on the first long left turn and from there, climb to the peak in front of you – Kamenititsa (1327 m) peak. Next is a descent to the Muchi Baba neighborhood in the same village – Erul. Arrive at the “Muchi Baba” aid station.
Run through the neighborhood on a narrow asphalt road, which after about 3.5 km turns into a dirt road that descends to Glogovitsa village. In the outskirts of Glogovitsa (about 7 km from the “Muchi Baba” aid station) turn right (east) and with a back turned to the village, follow a forest road. It goes down for a short time at first, then it goes up and finally it goes down again through a large meadow, ending on an asphalt road. Turn right there and after a little less than 1 km you reach the start / final location in the center of Velinovo village.
Technical Info
Length | 54 km |
Elevation gain and loss | +3400 m, -3400 m |
Altitude at start/finish location | 840 m a.s.l. |
Lowest point | 820 m a.s.l. |
Highest point | 1481 m a.s.l. |
Aid stations – 5 Stocked with basic food and water! |
“Pravka” – at 6.5 km from start. “Lyalintsi” – at 6.6 km from “Pravka”. “Milkyovtsi” – at 8.2 km from “Lyalintsi”. “Erulski manastir” – at 11.3 km from “Milkyovtsi”. “Muchi Baba” – at 11.7 km from “Erulski manastir” and 9.7 km to final. |
Time limit | 13 hours |
Cut-off times | Depart aid station “Milkyovtsi”: 6,30 hours after start. All competitors leaving this aid station after 14:30 h. (2:30 PM) will be disqualified. Depart aid station “Erulski manastir”: 8,30 hours after start. All competitors leaving this aid station after 16:30 h. (4:30 PM) will be disqualified. Depart aid station “Muchi baba”: 11 hours after start. All competitors leaving this aid station after 19:00 o’clock (7:00 PM) will be disqualified. |
Race start | 10.05.2025 / 08:00 АМ |
Map
Course profile
GPS track (final!)
Click here to download the GPS track