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

Pirin, Mt. Bezbog (2645 м)

Just a few photos from our short trip to Pirin mountain and Mt. Bezbog. We were so sorry we didn't have another day to spend there and hike more and longer hours. But next year we'll make sure to have at least a couple of days off for Pirin, probably the most beautiful of the Bulgarian mountains.

Bezbog hut and lake Bezbog in front

Popovo lake in the distance. The day was a bit cold and cloudy

The path to Mt. Bezbog

The ridge and Mt. Bezbog

On top of the peak. We were in a cloud and just a small window of light 

was visible over Popovo lake. A surreal experience!

At the top - a big cross marks Bezbog (Godless) peak. An irony?

Picnic area alpine style :)

The ridge of Polezhan Mt.

Mt. Polezhan (2850 м)

I live for these views!

And back to Bezbog hut for a cup of hot herbal tea

Along the new highway - so much quicker and safer