The Rila Massif dominates the original Alpine world in the southwest of Bulgaria, home of several peaks of more than 2900 m. This most famous Bulgarian trekking area offers an enormous number of trails varying both in scenery and difficulty. You will cross vast national parks, hike past glacial lakes and stunning alpine pastures. These mountains are mapped and pervaded with an extensive network of well-marked trails. One of the highlights of this tour is climbing the highest mountain top of the Balcan region of over 2900m in altitude, the Musala. You also visit the Rila Monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Pirin Mountains, the Vihren awaits you with panoramic views and a spectacular mountain landscape, as well as many other hiking highlights.
An alpine highlight awaits you on the first day when you climb the Musala summit at 2,925m! From Govedartsi you take a transfer to Borovets, from where you can reach the start of the hike by cable car. Once at the top, you can enjoy a unique panorama, always with the view of the Musala cliff face. The route leads you past glacial lakes and mountain huts to the summit, the view from the top over the surrounding mountains is breathtaking.
In the morning there is a short transfer to the starting point at the Vada hut. Through shady spruce forests you hike higher and higher into the alpine mountains to the mountain basin of the Sevan Rila Lakes. You will be enchanted by the famous lakes in a dream-like setting that you can see from the edge of the highest lake.
Today is a day to relax and discover the cultural highlights of the region. You leave the Rila Mountains and make your way to the Pirin Mountains. On your way a visit to the famous Rila Monastery awaits you before you reach the beautiful Bansko, which is picturesquely located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and where you will spend four nights. The alleys and facades of the houses in the old town invite you to take a long stroll.
Your hiking route takes you to the 5th highest peak in the Pirin Mountains, the Polezhan, at 2,851m. A transfer takes you first to the Gotse Delchev hut and then by cable car to the Bezbog hut, the start of today’s trekking stage. On your way, dreamy panoramas offer up the surrounding mountains and the countless glittering lakes, including the largest in the region, the idyllic Popovo Lake. You hike the classic route along the northeast ridge, this is easy to walk, but the last climb to the summit is a special challenge.
After a short transfer to the Vihren hut, you start the hike to the mountain basin of the picturesque Banderishki lakes. From there the route goes over into the neighbouring valley and on to the Todorini Ochi lakes. You hike through dreamy spruce forests and along crystal clear rivers through the Yulen nature reserve. Enjoy the breathtaking landscape!
The last hike begins again at the Vihren hut. Today, the final highlight of your trekking trip awaits you with the ascent of Vihren. With the breathtaking view always by your side, the route goes through the ‘Golem Kazan’ (huge cauldron) below the rugged north flank of the Vihren, where you can watch wild goats and blooming edelweiss. From the summit, you can once again survey the entire Bulgarian mountain world and review the experiences of the past days.
Transfer to Sofia airport or to hotel for extension, approx. 1.5 hours.
Charakteristics of the route
Fantastic and deserted mountain and trekking tours. A very good fitness level is recommended as well as surefootedness and a head for heights are essential for the demanding tours. The trails are marked well. On some days there is a choice of tours depending on fitness level and weather. You will be enchanted by the impressive views of the Rila & Pirin Mountains world!
Raw nature, friendly people and fine refuge for soups on our hiking.
Rila mountain is a fantastic place for hiking. There are peaks and spectacular views. It could be even better if the directions were supplied with pictures or gps. to the places, were we were in doubt about the route. It was done in that way on our Eurohike tour in Berchtesgaden. The maps was in 1: 50.000, and we would prefer 1: 25.000.
JuliaWinklhoferanswered:
Dear Mr. Østergaard, thank you very much for your travel feedback, it is very much appreciated! It is a pleasure to hear, that you liked the peaks and the spectacular views. Concerning the maps, we will do our best to improve our route notes. We hope to welcome you on one of our trips soon and thank you again for your feedback.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
IVO REETZ |16.07.2017
Wunderbarer Urlaub
Eine perfekte Auswahl an Touren im Rila mit wunderbaren Aussichten, blühenden Berghängen und gewaltigen Felsen. Schön, dass viele der Touren wenig begangen sind und es oft auch die Möglichkeit gibt, die jeweilige Tour zu verlängern, je nach Kondition. Schöne Unterkünfte mit gutem Essen.