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Hissar – hut Fenera – 6 hours; hut Fenera – hut Chivira – 3 hours; hut Chivira – rest base Byalo kamene – 2 hours, rest base Byalo kamene – the village of Starossel – 2 hours
This is a three-day hiking trip with night stays at the Fenera hut and rest base Byalo kamene. There are buses from the village of Starossel to the town of Hissar. They run every day, at 12.30 and 16.45. The route can be divided into smaller segments, for example: Hissar – hut Fenera – Hissar, or, Hissar – hut Fenera – village of Mutenitsa, or Starossel – rest base Byalo kamene – village of Starossel.
The Verigovo quarter in the town of Hissar is a good starting point for hut Fenera. Immediately after passing by the school the road turns left and heads up, ascending the southern slopes of the Saint George elevation. The path progresses south, passes through some vine massifs and reaches the Geshovi stubli place, which offers fresh drinking water. From this point on the path will lead you to the very heart of the mountain. It enters a comparatively low oak-tree forest and climbs up a rocky slope north of mountain peak Pinkaya. At times the path is level, at times it ascends up the mountain. Depending on the season you will be able to see deposits of wild peony or cowslip. At some point the path reaches the Koritata place. There is a spot for recreation and an old tourist shelter there. From that place the trail continues in western direction, passes through forests and glades. It finally exits on a beautiful meadow located on the mountain ridge, then passes through several pastures and reaches the Prisadite place, which is located at the very foot of the Sakar mountain peak. Along the way you can see wild animals. From the Prisadite place the path takes southern direction, following the slopes of the Sakar peak. In approximately an hour the path becomes steep, crosses a century old beech-tree forest and exits at the foot of the Fenera peak and hut.
The Fenera hut is located ay 1320 m above sea level. The terrace beneath the hut reveals magnificent view towards the Sredna Gora mountain ridge, the Karlovo field and the Stara Planina Mountain. The hut disposes of 60 beds. There is also a tourist kitchenette and a canteen. South of the hut, on the Kozi gramadi peak there are ruins of a medieval watch tower and a fortification. At the foot of the peak there is an ancient Thracian sanctuary and consecrated ground where ritual sacrifices have taken place in the past. There is also a cave in which the king-priest would retreat only to reappear later lit by the light of the rising sun. At present this region is an archaeological site where excavation work is being performed. A unique Thracian town consisting of several monumental buildings constructed on an area of 8 decares encompassed by a massive fortress wall has been uncovered. The central building has been an impressive residence of a ruler. It’s had a parade staircase. Both archaeologists and finds identify the town with the capital of the Odryssean king Amatok.
The distance to hut Chivira can be traversed in 3 hours. The trip starts west of the Fenera peak, the trail gradually becomes steeper and winds through a century-old forest. The marking will take you to mountain peak Aleksitsa (1534 m). Immediately after the peak the path starts descending in western direction thus reaching the Grobovete water divide saddle. Then it slightly ascends through a beech-tree forest and reaches the hut. The very hut is located at 1370 m above sea level. It disposes of beds for 100 tourists; there is also a tourist kitchen and a canteen. After following the stream of the Pyasachnik River for some time the path exits on the well beaten track to the village of Starossel. The ancient hunting grounds of the Thracian kings were once located here. Through hunting the kings demonstrated their qualities, proved their priorities, and exalted to divinity. As son of the Mother Goddess the king was obligated to destroy the power opposing to her (the wild boar digging the Earth, which in this case symbolizes the body of the Mother Goddess). The ring baring a print of a horseman chasing a wild boar, which was discovered in one of the mounds near Starossel, comes as proof to this statement. Even today the forests near Starossel are popular hunting grounds. They are home for the roe, deer and wild boar. If you are quiet enough you will eventually see them in between the trees.
Rest base Byalo kamene disposes of 90 beds allocated in double and triple rooms with own sanitary units. There is also a restaurant, an open-air swimming pool and sports playgrounds. The tourists can go picking wild berries and herbs in the vicinity of the base. Before you reach the final point of the route, which is the village of Starossel, you can stop by and see the Thracian cult temple, where secret rituals were once performed. Kings and warriors have been buried here. After you have spent some unforgettable moments in this mountain you will surely feel spiritual connection to the ancient kings who sought unity with the Gods here, at this very place…
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