ST501 Sofia - Aleko vs ST525 Kitnitsa - Kardzhali
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| ST501 Sofia - Aleko | ST525 Kitnitsa - Kardzhali | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 10.0 mi17 km | 16 mi25 km |
| Elevation gain | 4,111 ft1,253 m | 1,736 ft529 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 2 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Expert |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | International | International |
| Country | Bulgaria | Bulgaria |
| Best time to hike | Best months: April, June, September | Best months: February, April, June, September, October, November |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
ST501 Sofia - Aleko vs ST525 Kitnitsa - Kardzhali: which should you hike?
At 16 mi25 km, ST525 Kitnitsa - Kardzhali is the longer route — roughly 5.2 mi8 km more than ST501 Sofia - Aleko (10.0 mi17 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, ST501 Sofia - Aleko is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.