Hiking in Bulgaria – Rila and Pirin peaks

The first trek goes to Mount Musala (2925 m), the highest peak of Bulgaria and of the whole Balkans. After about 1:30 h by bus we get to Borovets, the country's second largest ski resort. A gondola lift takes us to Yastrebets hut (2366 m), and from there we reach the roof of the Balkans via Musala hut and the Ice Lake. We descend the same way. A short 20-minute transfer takes us to our welcoming guesthouse in Samokov.
Elevation: +800 / -800 m · Highest point: 2925 m · Duration: 6 h

After a short morning transfer we get to Vada hut (1465 m), where we begin our traverse of the Rila mountains via the magnificent Seven Lakes. The path leads gently to the Razdela saddle (2620 m), with splendid views over the Urdini lakes and Mount Maliovitsa (2729 m), our goal for the next day. We descend via the Green Ridge (Zeleni rid), at first on gentle grassy slopes, before the trail drops steeply into the Urdina river valley. A short drive (40 min) back to our hotel in Samokov.
Elevation: +1200 / -1200 m · Highest point: 2620 m · Duration: 7 h

Our second summit is Mount Maliovitsa (2729 m), a mountain so respected that its North Face is the symbol of Bulgarian climbing. After a 30-minute drive we reach the small resort of Maliovitsa, where the country's only mountain leader school was based in communist times. The area is known as "Bulgaria's Chamonix" - nearly every summit has climbing routes. We follow the valley gently to Maliovitsa hut (1960 m), then zig-zag up to Elenino lake (2470 m), onto the main ridge and, 15 minutes later, the summit. The view is well worth the effort. We retrace our steps and transfer to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Bulgaria's most celebrated landmarks: a fortress-like monastery that has sheltered pilgrims since the 14th century. After time to explore, we transfer to the town of Bansko (900 m).
Elevation: +1050 / -1050 m · Highest point: 2729 m · Duration: 7 h

Pirin, with its jagged rocky peaks, is more rugged than Rila. A short transfer takes us to Gotse Delchev hut, where we start a two-day trek deep into the mountain (the main luggage stays in the hotel). A chairlift takes us up to Bezbog hut, and we walk to Popovo, the largest lake in Pirin. Climbing through dramatic high valleys with rocky ridges and perhaps some snow patches, we reach the hanging valley of Tevno lake, the "Dark Lake". We sleep in a pine-built mountain hut (2512 m) in an idyllic setting by the lake, looking across to the summit of Kamenitsa - simple, clean and comfortable, with a large attic of about 30 beds.
Elevation: +1040 / -260 m · Highest point: 2650 m · Duration: 5 h

Today we follow the main ridge of Pirin. We cross the high saddle of Mozgovishka porta and continue along a sinuous ridge with spectacular views - alpine meadows, rocky ground, streams and deep blue lakes. At Vihren hut we meet our transport down (40 min) to the hotel in Bansko.
Elevation: +390 / -930 m · Highest point: 2645 m · Duration: 6 h

The most demanding day is the ascent of Mount Vihren (2914 m), which many find more rewarding than Musala. From Vihren hut we climb steeply, soon with views of Vihren's towering North Face. After a short, steep scree scramble we reach the Premkata saddle and make the exciting return traverse of Koncheto - a genuine knife-edge marble ridge to the summit of Kutelo (2908 m). It is exposed and airy, but aided by a fixed cable and on solid rock; you can wait at the saddle if you prefer. Back at the col, a steep but straightforward 30-minute path takes us to the summit of Vihren. On a clear day the panorama covers Pirin, Rila, the vast Rhodopes and sometimes even North Macedonia and Greece. We descend to Vihren hut, drive to Bansko and on to Sofia (about 2:30 h).
Elevation: +1200 / -1200 m · Highest point: 2914 m · Duration: 8 h