One day trip to Musala Peak – 2 925 m !

  With its 2 925 meters Musala is the highest peak not only in Bulgaria, but also on the Balkan Peninsula. The average annual temperature is –3.1C, and the snow-cover stays 8 months.

  The name of the peak is of Turkish origin meaning "towards God".
The starting point of the route is the resort of Borovets. Take the gondola lift from Borovets to Iastrebetz (working hours from 9 to16 every day except on Wednesdays). The ride is about half an hour, the altitude difference is 1200 meters and this saves you about 3 hours of long and strenuous uphill walk.

  From the end station on the gondola follow the marked path to Musala hut. The trail is almost level. It cuts across the slope of Markudzika, crosses three T-bar lifts and in less than an hour reaches Musala hut. Musala hut is one of the oldest huts in Bulgaria. It is situated 2 389 meters above the sea level.

  From the hut the walk to the mountain top will take you about two hours. The path is clear and well marked and starts along the northern side of the lake. After half an hour of relatively steep climb you'll reach a beautiful lake ("Alekovo ezero") which together with the mount reflected in its waters bears the name of Aleko - a famous Bulgarian writer and founder of the tourist movement in Bulgaria.

  An hour from the lake is situated the refuge "Ledenoto ezero" (Icy lake). If it's cold and windy the refuge provides an ideal place for rest before the last part of the ascent. Musala is only 30 minutes walk from the refuge ( the shelter)

  The trail winds upwards. Although you may be tempted to follow the poles which are put in a straight line along the North-East ridge of Musala it's much easier to stick to the summer track. The poles mark the winter route, which is really steep and therefore equipped with a metal rope.

  If after the strenuous climb you expect to set foot on a wild and bare mountain peak you may be quite disappointed - you'll see two solid buildings: meteorological station (where you can also buy hot drinks and post cards) and a scientific research laboratory. The panorama from the top is magnificent:
To the South –Pirin Mountains; to the North –Vitosha Mountain; to the North-West – Stara Pla(Balkan Mountains); and to the East – the Rhodope Mountains.
On your descend you'll have to use the same trail to Musala hut. From there you can either go back to the gondola lift, or you can follow the valley of Bistritza river and in 3-3.1/2 hours descend directly in Borovets.

  From the hut follow the winter trail (marked with black and yellow striped poles) downhill to the river. The path crosses the river and follows it down the valley. In the beginning it winds through the dwarf pines later it continues through a beautiful coniferous forest.

  Have a nice walk!

Chalet on the top		The base of Meteorology situated on the top

The Musala lake and peak of Musala in the middle		The one of the seven Musala Lake and the peak

The rare Rila flowers - yellow and white primroses		The way to the top, the winter road

View from the peack		View from the peak and Beli Iskar Damp bellow

View from the peak and some of the Musala lakes bellow		View from the peak and the two Marichini Lakes bellow

View from the peak, the Ice Lake and the shelter before the peak		View to the top, the shalet on the top

	On the top

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