Rila and Pirin are the two highest mountain ranges in Eastern Europe, the peaks of which reach almost 3000 m. These are massifs of thousands of picturesque lakes, pine forests, flowering alpine meadows and steep rocky slopes. The route passes mainly along marked trails with overnight stays in tents, does not present much technical difficulty, and covers the most interesting and significant places and natural attractions of Rila and Pirin.
Trek plan
RouteRoute map
Open the map →The GPS track is not digitised yet, the line is approximate (by key points).
Along the trailWhat you will see
Day by dayItinerary
1 Day 1. Sofia - Sapareva Banya - Rila Lakes
Our minibus will arrive in Sofia at approximately 9 am. There we will pick up participants who arrived by plane and go together to the town of Saperova Banya. It is famous for its mineral waters. Having quickly examined the hottest mineral spring in Europe (103C) in the form of a geyser, we go to the ski lift, which will help us gain height at the beginning of the route. Having risen, we move a little away from the ski lift and spend the night near the Seven Rila Lakes. After a tiring move, everyone will want to rest, so the transition will be minimal.
2 Day 2. Rila: Seven Lakes, Lake Elenski
Today is the first real walking day. We go through the Rila National Park, along a chain of picturesque lakes at an altitude of about 2000 m. Further, having climbed the Razdela Pass, our path today will run along a ridge with peaks over 2600 m - Vazov Verkh, Dodov Verkh, etc. In the late afternoon we will go down for an overnight stay to the picturesque Lake Elenski at the foot of the Malyovitsa peak.
3 Day 3. Lake Strashnoto
The morning trek today is a descent to the Malevitsa hut along the stream of the same name. From the hut itself, we climb again to continue the path along the northern slopes of the Orlovets ridge with bizarre and sharp rocky peaks past many lakes, the most beautiful of which are Mapomalskie and Lake Strashnoto. We set up camp near Lake Strashnoto. It really looks impressive - the lake is surrounded by sharp rocks, and cold blows from the depths.
4 Day 4. Lake Popovokapski - Lake Suhoto.
We continue our hike through the Rila mountain range. Having passed the Popovokapski lakes, we will begin our descent to the forest lake Suhoto. Unlike previous mountain lakes, it is located in a coniferous forest, and along its banks there are tall herbs and coniferous forest. We'll stop here for the night.
5 Day 5. Kirilova glade - r. Rilska - Rila Monastery (radially).
Today we continue our descent through the forest to Kirilova Glade, and from there a short trek towards the Rila Monastery along the Rila River. We stop there for half a day. Anyone can easily go to the famous Rila Monastery - the largest and most beautiful monastery of the Bulgarian Church (built in the tenth century).
6 Day 6. Fish Lake
An easy but long climb to Fish Lake. We leave the zone of coniferous forests, surrounded by elfin forests and alpine meadows. We set up camp near the lake. There is a mountain shelter nearby where you can buy something tasty for dinner.
7 Day 7. Lake Hrynchar.
We are approaching Mount Musalu - the highest peak in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula. The view of the large Bely Iskar reservoir gradually opens up. And the entire Rila mountain range is clearly visible. We set up camp at Lake Grynchar.
8 Day 8. Climbing Mount Musala 2915 m
We go to the top lightly. We leave our tents by the lake, taking with us only a lunch snack, raincoats and water. The word "Musala" means "mountain of God". Obviously, this name appeared under the Turks. And in the last century, this mountain was called Stalin Peak for a long time. The ascent to a height of 2925m will take from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the condition of the trail. At this altitude, even in summer there are islands of snow. Closer to the top there are even areas with tensioned safety railings. In the evening we return to Lake Grynchar.
9 Day 9. With. Yakoruda – Vihren hut
We descend to the village of Yakoruda and move closer to Pirin National Park. There are also a huge number of mountain lakes and other natural attractions (caves, waterfalls, etc.) We climb to the foot of Mount Vihren to the hut of the same name - a mountain shelter. We set up tents.
10 Day 10. Climbing Vihren (2914m)
Vihren is the highest peak of Pirin and the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. Its height is 2914 m. The name “Vihren” means “stormy”. The wind at the top is really quite strong. We again go to the summit in a radial format, leaving the main load in the camp.
11 Day 11. Descent to Bansko, Sofia.
We say goodbye to the unforgettable Rila and Pirin and begin the descent to Bansko - a small ski resort. The path runs through the Banderishki canyon and further through the forest. The trip to Bulgaria is completed. A minibus will be waiting for us in the city. We leave towards the border. If you want to stay a couple more days near the sea, we can drop you off in the Varna or Burgas area.
The instructor can make changes to the route!
DetailsIncluded
- 🍽Three meals a day on the route
- 🧭Instructor services
- 🎒Group first-aid kit and camping kitchen (burners
- 🎒Boilers, etc.)
Not included
- ✕Equipment rental
- ✕Visiting paid attractions
- ✕Accommodation in campsites
- ✕Medical insurance (issued independently, on request)
- ✕Moves All additional costs for the idea must be included in 100 euros
- ✕But it is better to take money with a margin
