Two Days in Pirin. Mt. Vihren

We spent the night at Bunderitza hut and early in the morning left the room, took our luggage back to the car at the Bunderitza parking lot and started on the 2.5 km trail to Vihren hut. There we had our breakfast and prepared for the real climb ahead.

This was my second climb of Vihren after our first hike there in 2015. In the meanwhile I've climbed many other peaks, plenty of them even more than once, but Vihren was and still is the most difficult peak I have climbed. The elevation gain is massive - 1120 m along a very rugged rocky terrain. The trail is steep all the time and the tricky rocky paths make the descent from the peak also tiring and difficult. The gradient of the last slope reaches 45 degrees and the last km of the track is a true trial for the tired legs. However, the euphoria from the climb of the peak and the gorgeous views all around not only make it worth it, but in the end force you to want to repeat the adventure.

It would have been better, from a tactical point of view, to climb Vihren the first day, with fresh legs, and leave the lakes for the second day. However, the weather conditions the first day were not the best for Vihren and I think we made the right decision to leave the big hike for the sunny and warm Saturday. The weather just couldn't have been more perfect for the high mountains.

Vlachini lakes, most of the trail is behind us. Here we had a small break with some power snacks in preparation for the final climb.

The last slope is a true beast - there are only stones, no clear path and a killer gradient. The chain of Pirin's marble giants and the famous saddle Koncheto between Banski Suhodol and Kutelo.

Tired but happy on the peak

Hike info:

Destination: Mt. Vihren 2914 m

Mountain: Pirin

Total length: 17 km

Elevation gain: 1120 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 6:30 hours

Average difficulty: 8 / 10

A view to many of Pirin's peaks and two of the lakes - the Fish lake and the Long lake, that we had hiked the previous day

The return is along the same track

Early in the afternoon the biggest of the Vlahini lakes was beautifully sparkling in the sun

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Knitpick cargo pants

I: lingerie, raglan Burda blouse

Peak Todorka and Vihren hut down at its skirts

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.

Mt. Polezhan, Pirin 2019

On our second day in Pirin we hiked up and climbed two of the peaks near Bezbog hut - Mt. Polezhan, the 7th highest in the country, and Mt. Bezbog.

: Early in the morning the trail was covered with frost, but the day promised to be sunny and warm. We were so, so lucky on our October hikes this year, enjoying the absolutely perfect hiking weather!

: The trail leads straight up the ridge

: The view from the ridge was breathtaking! The lower part of the mountain looked like a sea of peaks under the morning haze

: Mt. Polezhan from the ridge

: The frost melted into dew under the warm sun

: The trail runs right along the ridge

: A herd of wild goats ran down the peak! It was amazing to see them so up close!

: A view from the peak to Popovo lake and other smaller lakes

: With its 2851 m Polezhan is the 5th highest peak in Pirin. I was amazed to learn that the first 80 highest peaks in Bulgaria are in Rila and Pirin only, the other mountains like the Balkans and Vitosha being much lower than these two.

: A view to the three highest peaks of Pirin - the marble giants Vihren, Kutelo and Banski Suhodol.

: Our next goal - Mt. Bezbog, which is connected to Polezhan through a big ridge.

: On Mt. Bezbog (2645 m)

: We had our lunch on these (stone age ;)) pieces of furniture

: Bezbog hut and the lake from the peak

: We decided to take an alternative trail back - a very steep shortcut along the slope of Mt. Bezbog. Weary to the knees, but always exciting to try something new.

: Lake Bezbog looked so beautifully blue under the bright midday sun

Popovo lake, Pirin 2019

This year we are enjoying an absolutely amazing weather in October and our family is trying to make the best of it. This past weekend we booked a night at Bezbog hut in Pirin and went hiking for two days in one of the most beautiful mountains in the country.

: Bezbog hut with the lake Bezbog in front

: Peak Djangal and first glimpse of Popovo lake

: Popovo lake - one of the biggest mountain lakes I've been to and certainly one of the most beautiful

: We chose this spot for our picnic area, where we chilled out for two hours

: When the sun began going down behind the high peaks around, we decided to make a full round of the lake

: And down by the river back to Bezbog

: Ribnoto (Fish) lake

: Bezbog in the warm glow of the sunset