Boboshevski Ruen

Boboshevski Ruen – gone by the wind

GPS coordinates start: 42.17813,22.95069
GPS coordinates final: 42.16537,22.94937
Distance: 2h total (to the top and back), 5.8 km total
Degree of difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
GPS track:

The transition to Boboshevski Ruen peak (1134 m) is easy and combines beautiful altitude views and pilgrimage tourism. Along the path you can see several sites: the peak, the Ruen Monastery, and its chapel, the cave where St. Ivan Rilski lived in the hermitage, as well as the area of the Cross.

How to get to Boboshevski Ruen peak?

Boboshevski Ruen Peak is the highest peak of the Ruen Mountain (the northernmost region of Vlahina Mountain). It is located on the border between Bulgaria and Macedonia and is part of the Osogovo-Belasitsa mountain range.

The starting point of the route is parking in front of the All Saints Chapel at the Ruen Monastery, which is located above the village of Skrino, Boboshevo municipality, Kyustendil district.

Skrino village is the birthplace of St. Ivan Rilski, considered to be the greatest Bulgarian saint and hermit, who founded the largest monastery in Bulgaria – Rila.

He lived during the reign of Prince Boris I, Tsar Simeon the Great and Tsar Peter I. His most active years were during the reign of Tsar Peter I.

It is in the Rila Monastery that he performs many miracles, helps the needy, and heals from incurable diseases.

There is a narrow asphalt road from the village to the chapel. You can reach the monastery by car during its working hours from 9 am to 6 pm.

The chapel was pleasing to the eye with its variegation and looked brand new. Subsequently, it turned out that the monastery is one of the newest in Bulgaria.

Chapel on the way to Boboshevski Ruen
Chapel on the way to Boboshevski Ruen

Ruen Monastery St. John of Rila

The Ruen Monastery of St. John of Rila was established in the ninth century after the christening of the Bulgarians, during the reign of Tsar Boris-Michael.

Belfry of the Ruen Monastery
Belfry of the Ruen Monastery

According to the legend, St. Ivan Rilski received a monastic rank here and lived there for some time.

After a period of decline, today the monastery has been completely renovated and construction work was in full swing during our visit.

The temple, the bell tower, the monastery buildings, even the church shop were white, neat, and decorated with beautiful elements.

Ruen monastery
Ruen monastery

The path to Boboshevski Ruen peak starts just before the gate of the monastery.

From the monastery on a slightly steep route, we headed to the cave where the Holy Father lived.

From here starts a path to the holy spring with Holy Water, which according to legend helps with eye diseases.

The forest was red and its scarlet colors illuminated our path from all directions.

The Red Forest
The Red Forest

Not long after, we reached a crossroads.
We turned right to the cave.

The crossroads between a cave and the Cross
The crossroads between a cave and the Cross

The cave of St. Ivan Rilski

The cave is very small, but you can feel the religious aura and energy of the place. You can light a candle inside.

The cave of St. Ivan Rilski
The cave of St. Ivan Rilski
The cave inside
The cave inside

The cross

Our next destination was the cross area, which was to the left of the crossroads.

From here you can enjoy wonderful views of Rila, Vlahina, Konyovska Mountain and Verila. There is even a legend about a girl who threw herself from there to escape the Ottomans who were persecuting her.

The cross
The cross
Panorama from the cross
Panorama from the cross
The cross seen from below
The cross seen from below

In the middle between the Cross and the cave, the path to Boboshevski Ruen peak begins.

There are no markings, but there are signs and a paved path, you just go straight to the top and you have nowhere to go.

A kind of landmark in the beginning in the coniferous-deciduous forest are the clothes and rags hung on the branches of the trees, which give a slightly ghostly look to the route.

This is a common custom in our lands that I have seen in other places of worship: when you leave a garment between heaven and earth, you leave your pain there.

On Boboshevski Ruen peak

Bobosheski Ruen peak
Bobosheski Ruen peak

It was cold at the top and the winds were chasing.
We admired the beautiful panoramas in all directions. Rila had raised her proud head above the clouds.

We were on the border between the fog in the valley and the fluffy clouds. I had the feeling that we were on the beach and the foaming white waves enveloped the mountain slopes in a gentle embrace.

Panorama from Bobosheski Ruen
Panorama from Bobosheski Ruen
Boboshevski Ruen
Boboshevski Ruen

Conclusion

An interesting region is the area of the village of Skrino. The energy field and strong faith were felt everywhere. Chapels, temples, crosses (even as symbols on the trees) were everywhere.

Apart from the fabulous charisma of the route to Boboshevski Ruen, it is very pleasant to combine it with these unusual places for worship and contact with nature.

Other destinations in Kyustendil region: here.

Interesting eco-trails: here

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