Two Days in Pirin. The Lakes

Last weekend husband and I took a two days break in the Pirin mountains. Pirin is a bit farther from home and, as same day hikes are much easier, we travel there rather rarely. However, the late september days are still warm and sunny and we didn't want to miss the chance to hike in the high mountains.

On our first day we decided to take an easier hike, or so we thought, along a round trail by several of the beautiful Pirin lakes. The day was warm, but cloudy, with some chance for rain, so we left the more serious climb for the second day.

We left our luggage at Bunderitza hut, where we booked a night, and started along the trail by hut Vihren to Muratovo lake.

This part of the trail follows Bunderitza river

At Muratovo lake. Because our hike was aimed at the lakes, we only went around it and then a bit back, to take the trail to the next lake. But one day we plan to climb the same-name Muratov peak.

Hike info:

Destination: Bunderishki lakes round trail

Mountain: Pirin

Total length: 17 km

Elevation gain: 530 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 6 hours with berry picking and eating

Average difficulty: 6.5 / 10

The trail we followed from Muratovo to Fish Bunderitza lake was a bit obscure, present on the map, but not marked in any way, so there weren't any people along it at all. It was so peaceful and beautiful and we came upon and gorged ourselves on the best, sweetest blueberries I've ever tasted, i only regret we didn't pick some for a blueberry pie to make at home.

We had our picnic at this extraordinary place under the conifer trees, facing the Fish lake and Pirin's marble giants - Vihren and Kutelo. Pirin lakes are without doubt absolutely breathtaking! I want to revisit this specific spot soon, hopefully next summer.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Knitpick cargo pants, refashioned RTW shirt

I: lingerie

After our lunch at the Fish lake we continued along the barely visible trail along broken stones up hill by a waterfall to our next destination - the Long Bunderitza lake.

The Long lake is the second biggest of the group of 16 Bunderitza lakes. We went along its shores to the end of the lake, but because of its curved form, the entire lake can be seen only from above.

The Frog lake is a smaller and shallow lake, very near the Long lake.

The Fish lake from the trail above. This is definitely my favourite of all the Bunderitza lakes we saw.

The Eye - this is one of the smaller lakes, near hut Vihren.

On our way back we passed by the oldest known tree in Bulgaria - the Baykusheva mura (black pine), estimated to be over 1300 years old. This winter one of its lower branches broke, but fortunately the tree is still very much alive.