The Three Lifts: From Dawn to Dusk

Reach Out and Touch It. It’s Right There. Vitosha Mountain is Sofia’s greatest natural treasure, just half an hour from the city centre, yet increasingly out of reach for some. In October 2026, Victor Asenov, Bulgaria’s only blind trail ultrarunner and one of very few in the world, set out on an extraordinary challenge alongside his team. He climbed beneath the routes of all three non-operational lifts connecting Sofia to the high mountain, covering more than 36 kilometres with over 2,700 metres of elevation gain. His mission was to send a clear message: the mountain should be accessible to everyone, and we all share the responsibility to care for and protect nature. The challenge culminated in a clean-up of Kopitoto, a place renowned for its breathtaking views over Sofia, yet too often littered with rubbish. It’s time to see with our souls, reconnect with nature, and learn to love and protect it.

Key people:

Victor Asenov - Passionate Blind Ultra-Trail Runner

Bozhidar Kartunov - Founder of Sports Heroes

Ivaylo Tsvetkov, Kaloyan Peychev-Kofe, Nikolay Dermendzhiev - Pacers / Fellow Runners

Debora - Friend and Supporter

Taddy - The Guide Dog

Denny Kirilova - Photographer