Pirin (national park). pirin national park pirin national park bulgaria

The Bulgarian National Park Pirin is located in the mountain range of the same name, in particular, between the valleys of the Mesta and Struma rivers. The nearest major city is Sofia, located at a distance of about 100 km.

national park Pirin is mainly characterized by mixed deciduous forests, which are located in a zone of relatively cold climate. Precipitation prevails in summer and autumn. The altitude ranges of the park are from 1000 to 2915 meters above sea level, and the area is 401 sq. km.

Natural beauty of the park

The Pirin mountain range is the 2nd largest in Bulgaria. Landscape national park consists of magnificent glacial lakes and rocky peaks. From a geological point of view, it belongs to the Thracian-Macedonian massif. The main components of this composition are slate, granite, limestone and marble.

As for vegetation, it is represented by both deciduous and pine forests. There are also virgin forest areas here, in which the human hand has yet intervened. Very beautiful pine forests, framed by a thick layer of lichens. Worth a visit is the picturesque valley of the Struma River, whose streams in certain places form stunning waterfalls.

There are more than 60 peaks in the park, the height of which exceeds 2500 meters above sea level. The number of glacial lakes is more than 150. Another great advantage of this park is the fact that the local weather remains good throughout the whole year.

Hiking routes, excursions

FROM
It should be noted that in this park you can move around both by bicycle and on foot. Of course, climbers will also get unforgettable pleasure here. Among the most beautiful places in Pirin - granite peaks near Kamenitsa, Dzhana and Polezhen.

This area is located in the southern part of the park. A very interesting area, located relatively far from the 1st, is the marble part of the mountain range, which is located next to Vihren (the highest mountain in Bulgaria) and Koncheta. Do not miss visiting this National Park if you are interested in a holiday in Bulgaria.

The cost of excursions from Bansko starts from 70 euros per person for 4 hours.

Animal and plant world

In addition to a very diverse geological structure, the Pirin National Park has a very diverse flora and fauna. There are quite a few in the park interesting plants, it is worth noting the olive trees and quince that grow in the valley
Struma river. Also here you can find different kinds lilies and orchids. Primroses grow in the park, some of which are endemic species. As for the forests, beech prevails among the trees. coniferous forests start in the upstream areas.

Pirin mountain range, about 100 km from Sofia.

How to get there: on your own by car or as part of an organized tour.

Mountains, waterfalls and meadows

More than four hundred kilometers covers today the area of ​​this largest national park in Bulgaria. Over the half century that has passed since its formation, the park has grown in size by almost seven times! It "began" in 1962 as a reserve for the protection of the local high-mountain forests, after a dozen years it was significantly expanded, and in 1983 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Today, there are two biosphere reserves in the park: "Yulen" and "Bayuvi Dupki-Jinjiritsa", one of the oldest in the country. The elevation difference here ranges from one to three thousand meters; picturesque landscapes are often found here. glacial lakes, waterfalls and limestone caves, throughout the territory reigns mediterranean climate. It is thanks to these conditions that the park is exceptionally rich in vegetation and animals.

Flora and fauna

Today there are more than a thousand species in Pirin higher plants(more than 30% of all plant species in Bulgaria), a wide variety of mosses and algae. Among them there are rare and even endangered species: edelweiss (the symbol of the park), Pirin poppy, Bosnian and Macedonian pines, silver spruces ... It is here, by the way, that the oldest tree in Bulgaria grows - Baikushev's pine 26 meters high and more than two meters in diameter, whose age according to scientists is at least 1300 years!

The park is divided into several zones: the lower zone includes fir and beech forests, higher is pine-juniper woodland, meadow vegetation reigns in the highest alpine and subalpine zones.

As for living creatures, in the park you can meet both peaceful herbivores (chamois, roe deer, deer) and large predators(foxes, brown bears, wolves, wild cats, jackals). Live on the territory, of course, and other animals - so, only bats there are 12 types. There are a lot of various birds here - from falcons and eagles to swifts, capercaillie, cranes and ptarmigans. In total, there are more than two thousand species of animals in Pirin, including birds and fish, of which about 300 are rare, and 15 are on the verge of extinction.

Springs and resorts

In addition to the beauties and rarities described above, many tourists are attracted to the park by the local mineral springs, which originate high in the mountains and allow them to improve their health. There are about seventy of them here.

Throughout the park are laid ecological trails, there is an opportunity to go mountain climbing or go down to the caves.

On the border of the park there are ski resorts with slopes for both beginners and advanced athletes.

In general, this beautiful national park has all the conditions for a wonderful holiday, whether it is a quiet contemplation of the beauties untouched nature or active pastime.

Pirin National Park is located in the mountains of the same name in southwestern Bulgaria. It was created in 1962 and used to be called Vihren National Park. It was renamed in 1974 and then expanded to its present size.

Currently, the park covers an area of ​​more than 400 km². Within its borders are two of the oldest biosphere reserves - Bayuvi Dupki-Jinjiritsa and Yulen. Pirin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

The national park contains the most high point mountain range - the peak of Vihren, 2914 m high. Outwardly, the relief of Pirin resembles an alpine one. Rocky mountain ridges here coexist with deep karst depressions, sharp ledges, clearly marked valleys, caves, waterfalls and many glacial lakes. There are about seventy of the latter.

The park consists of several belts located at different heights. The lowest one is a forest mountain, where beech and fir forests grow, giving way to pine woodlands. The next belts are subalpine and alpine, with corresponding meadow vegetation.

The Mediterranean climate has contributed to the species diversity of flora and fauna. Centuries-old Macedonian pines, beeches, silver spruces and firs coexist with endangered edelweiss and Pirin poppies. A special attraction of the park is the Baikushev pine, which is over a thousand years old. In Pirin you can meet harmless herbivores - red deer, roe deer and chamois, as well as predators - foxes, badgers, wolves and brown bears. Several species of interesting birds nest here - golden eagles, eagles, alpine swifts, alpine ptarmigans and cranes.

The national park has all the conditions for a wonderful holiday. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed for every lover of untouched nature. Those who want to improve their health are attracted here by mineral springs that have a beneficial effect on the body. Fans of active pastime have a direct road to ski resorts, their routes are designed for both well-trained athletes and beginners.

Pirin National Park – PHOTO

For a long time, I associated Bulgaria exclusively with the sea. However, having visited the Southwestern part of the country, not far from the border with Macedonia, I realized that Bulgaria is also a country of mountains - high, picturesque, bewitching with their beauty. And mountainous Bulgaria is, first of all, Pirin.

Pirin is a mountain range in the southwestern part of the country, located between the valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers and conditionally divided into three parts: Middle, Northern and Southern. In the southeastern direction, the Pirin Mountains border on the resort of Bansko and the town of Dobrinishte, in the northwestern direction, on the balneological center Sandanski. The highest point of Pirin is the peak of Vihren, rushing up to 2914 meters.

Most mountain system(about 400 sq. km) occupies the national park of the same name, which since 1983 has been included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. It is a sin not to visit these places for those who like to conquer peaks and make many hours of climbing, who are impressed by the cleanest lakes and waterfalls, mountain slopes covered with dense vegetation and rocky ridges that attract with thrills.

Pirin National Park is divided into 6 park areas:

• Bayuvi dupki (includes the biosphere reserve “Bayuvi dupki dzhinzhiritsa”);
• Vihren (center - Bansko) - the most accessible part of the Pirin National Park for tourists);
• Bezbog (center of Dobrinishte) - includes part biosphere reserve“Yulen” and the famous lakes of Pirin.
• Sinanitsa;
• Kamenitsa (center of Sandanski) - includes lakes Tevno and Kuklensko;
• Rub the rivers.

Glacial lakes, exciting hiking trails

Lakes of glacial origin, of which there are more than 160, give special romance to these places. clean water and in a special way adorn the conservative mountain landscapes.

The largest and at the same time the deepest body of water in Pirin is Popovo Lake. It covers an area of ​​about 13 hectares, and its depth in some places reaches 29 meters. Among other famous reservoirs of Pirin: Gorno-Polezhanskoto - the highest mountain lake of the Balkan Peninsula (altitude 2712 m.), Rybnoe, Tevnoe and Bezbog (Bezbozhkoto).

There are 19 hiking trails of varying duration and complexity through the Pirin National Park. Some are designed for seasoned travelers and experienced climbers, others for beginners and just lovers of hiking. At the intersection of the main routes, there are tourist huts or recreation centers - there are 13 of them in the park. For a moderate fee, you can spend the night in such houses and taste some dishes of national cuisine.

The starting points of most of the marked routes are the resorts of Bansko and Dobrinishte, located on the northern slopes of Pirin. Some mountain walks are organized from the resort center of Sandanski on the opposite slope of the mountain range. But most often for ordinary tourists, excursions to the peaks of Pirin start from Dobrinishte, where a lift was built that takes guests to the mountain lake Bezbog. It was from this point that our journey to the most famous national park in Bulgaria began.

On the official website of the National Park, you can download a map of the tourist routes of Pirin.

How to get to Pirin National Park?

After looking at photographs of local species, reading the reviews of tourists who have already been here, we set off. The starting point of our journey through the expanses of the national park was ski resort Bansko, where we got from Sofia by bus. In this town, we decided to rent an apartment for a few days.

Bansko is easily accessible from Sofia by bus or by car along the highway passing through Blagoevgrad. Buses run regularly on the Sofia-Bansko route, covering a distance of 160 km in 3 hours. The average ticket price is 13 levs. (6.5 euros). There are 6 daily flights to Bansko from Sofia central bus station, 11 flights from Ovcha Kupel bus station.

Hiking in the Pirin Mountains - a sea of ​​​​adrenaline and an unforgettable experience

We chose an excursion that included several tourist routes and, perhaps, the main attractions of Pirin. It started from Dobrinishte, from where a modern two-stage lift took us directly to the Bezbog mountain hut.

hut bezbog

View from the nearest peak to the Bezbog hut

We saw what tens of thousands of tourists come to these places every year: the famous lakes, including Popovo and Bezbog, the third highest peak in the Balkans and the second highest in Bulgaria, Vihren peak, incredibly beautiful and rich in contrasts nature. We were imbued with the romance of hiking in the mountains, spent the night in a classic alpine hut Tevno lake (2500 m above sea level).

The top of Mount Vihren - 2914 m.

Sometimes climbing the bumpy mountain slopes completely exhausted us, but after taking the next peak, the view from there made us forget about the efforts made, filled with peace and contentment. At the end of the journey, we were very tired. But the incredible sensations received from the view of endless panoramas are worth any effort. Indeed, Pirin is able to truly surprise its guests. It is definitely worth visiting here.