Pirin/Rhodope Mountains

Pirin Mountain rises between the deep valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers. It is the second highest mountain in Bulgaria with the highest peak Vihren (2916 m). The mountain is 40 km wide and 80 km long and comprises the southwestern part of the mountain.

The Thracians used to call it Orbelus (the snowy mountain), later the slaves called it Pirin after the Perun God.

Numerous songs and legends of the remarkable local folklore were inspired by the Pirin Mountain.

More than 70 hot mineral springs start at the foot of the mountain.

“National Park Pirin” is situated in the South- West part of Bulgaria between the valleys of the rivers Mesta and Struma. This is the most beautiful, glorious and most visited part of the mountain. The park has been enlarged several times and presently it is spread on a territory of 40 356 hectares.

The landscape on the territory of the park is mostly with alpine character and has been sculptured by the nature for millions of years. More than 80 mountains have latitude higher than 2500 meters. In the granite sector of the mountain there are more than 180 alpine lakes.

The flora and fauna of the park are actually its wealth. More than 1300 species of higher plants are being preserved on its territory and 15 of these can be seen just here and nowhere else in the world. The invertebrate species are around 2019 and 216 of these are endemics i. e. they can be seen only in Pirin. Amongst the vertebrates, there are two species of birds and 40 species of mammals that are very rare and precious, and need special care. One of the oldest nature reserves in Bulgaria “Bajovi Dupki- Djindjiritsa” is situated in the territory of the National Park. In 1977, UNESCO’s Bureau of the International Committee of the “Human and the Biosphere” Program, endorsed it as a biosphere reserve. “Yulen” natural reserve takes a territory of 3200 hectares and was established in 1994.

The Eyes of Pirin

More than 180 alpine lakes with a total area of about 180 000 decares are situated on the bottoms and terraces of the circus slopes. At Papazgiol circus, the waters of Popovo Lake appear blue. It is the biggest lake in Pirin, like a small sea inside the mountain, with an area of 123 hectares. Even higher, hidden amongst rocks and silence are the secluded Samodivski lakes. Situated to the east is the circus of the charming Kremenski Lakes and the one which is in the middle is the second biggest in Pirin with an area of 98 decares and a depth of 25 m.

Popular resorts in the Pirin Mountain:

- Bansko - Bulgaria's # 1 ski resort, having the best and most modern ski centre of all Bulgarian ski resorts.

- Dobrinishte - synonym of alpine nature, mineral waters and a typical atmosphere of a Bulgarian village.

- Razlog - situated in the Razlojka valley in the bosoms of three mountains- Rila to the north, Pirin to the south and west and Rodope to the east.

- Kulinoto – situated in the northern part of the Pirin mountain in the valley of the Kulina River, 1400 meters above the sea level, huddled amidst venerable beech forest.

- Banya – situated in the central part of the Razlog valley at the foot of the Pirin Mountain, also offering more than 70 hot mineral springs and numerous historical monuments.

- Ognyanovo – beautiful mountain village, offering perfect conditions for relax and recreation with its hot mineral springs, swimming pools and baths.

- Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria but it so attractive that the number of the visitors per day often exceeds the number of the native people. The town is also famous for the unique wine produced in the region and the numerous ould style houses and mehanas.

- Rozhen Monastery - The “Virgin Mary’s Nativity” monastery is one of the few monasteries that have left preserved since it was built in the middle ages. It is situated in the lower south western part of Pirin 6 km away from Melnik.

- Sandanski - The resort has healthy climate and has attracted settlers since Antiquity. The mineral springs of Sandanski have temperatures ranging from 33 to 83 degrees Centigrade, which makes them appropriate for baths and even drinking. Numerous luxurious hotels offer great opportunities for relaxing spa vacations in the resort.

- Simitli – small and picturesque mountain town in the beautiful Pirin mountain.

The Rodope Mountain has played an important role in people’s lives during the Ottoman Rule. They seek protection in the mountains thick forests and caves. The local folklore is also deeply influenced by the mountain. There is nothing in the world, which can be compared to the beautiful sound of the Rodopian Caba Gaida (back pipe). Numerous folklore fairs and events present the beautiful spirit of the mountain and the sounds and movements of the performers somehow enliven the nature.

The Rhodope Mountain is the oldest mountain massif in Bulgaria. As a whole, this big mountain massif has a slight southeast inclination. It is cut by a complicated network of valleys, shaping numerous, multidirectional mountain parts. Bessapar Elevations and Haskovo Hilly Land are also referred to the Rhodopes. Two main parts have been differentiated:

• Western Rhodopes (with an emphatically mountainous character: high ridges, deeply cut, excavated and separated valleys, spacious inner mountain valleys), and

• Eastern Rhodopes (hilly relief, cut by valleys separated by gorges and steep slopes) with numerous sub-parts. The combination between the mild climate and the great number of warm mineral springs, which have turned numerous settlements into climatic resorts, has been a good prerequisite for the mountains to be visited all year round. The Rhodopes are rich with their wildlife.

More than 2,000 flora species have been known to grow here, more of 90 of them endemic Balkan plants. Predominant in the Eastern Rhodopes are the forests of hairy oak, Venerable oak, durmast, black fir, Moesian beech, hornbeam, sycamore and others. The green masses of coniferous species - spruce, pine spruce, black spruce and others, growing mostly in the Western Rhodopes, are the mountains' greatest wealth. Both mountain parts are extremely rich in their network of rivers and a great number of dams. Some 17 nature reserves, some of them under UNESCO protection, have been established for the protection of the plant and animal world and for the preservation of the valuable coniferous species. The incredible beauty of the mountains, combined with the fragrance of oleo-resin, the curative Rhodopean air, the freshness and aroma of the flowers amidst the spacious meadows, the cold and transparent spring water, the harsh beauty of the dizzying karst gorges, the fairy-tale world of the caves and the small hamlets, picturesquely perching on the elevations or concealed amidst the flowery little valleys, have made quite a few Bulgarians or strangers come back again and again.

• The Western Rhodope occupies more than 66% of the mountains' area on Bulgarian territory part and is more scenic and visited. Rising here is the highest peak of the Rhodopes - Golyam Perelik (2,191 m) and m than 10 other peaks over 2000 metres.

In this part there are also karst gorges, breathtaking by their dizzying rock wreaths - Bouinovsko, Trigrad, the gorges Chaira, Gerzovitsa, and Mostova Soushitsa Rivers. Beautiful caves like: Yagodinska (in Bouinovsko Gorge, mi the river of the same name), Dyavolskoto Gurlo (the Devil's Throat) and Haidoushka (in Trigrad Gorge), Snezhanka (Snowhite) (on the left slope of Novomahalenska River, above the 1 Peshtera), Lednitsata (Ice House, Chelveshtnitsa, Lopa Western Rhodopes are also: Dyavoskiyat Most (the Devil's Bridge) nature phenomenon (in Bouinovsko Gorge); (the Elephant) rock formation, a part of the Caravan rock formation (by Nastan District of the town of Devin); Orpheevata Skala (Orpheus'Rock) on Mt Ouspa (above the town of Smolyan);

Numerous old-time monasteries have been built next to Old Bulgarian settlements in the depths of the mountains. Standing out among them an Bachkovo Monastery of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, Batoun Monastery of St. St Peter and Paul, The Shroud of the Holy Mother of God Monastery (above the Krustova Gora locality), Belashtitsa Monastery of St George the Victorious, Byala Cherkva Monastery of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Gomi Voden Monastery of St Kozma and Damyan, Krichim Monastery of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin.

Famous towns and resorts in the Rodope mountains are:

- Batak a mountain climatic resort, located in proximity to the big Batak Dam.

- The town of Bratsigovo is a balneology centre and mountain resort town. It is easy accessible from Plovdiv, Septemvri and Pazardzhik.

- Bedenski Mineralni Bani(Beden Mineral Baths) is a balneology centre and a mountain resort.

- Byala Cherkva is a mountain climatic resort centre.

- Velingrad a balneology and mountain resort centre. The town is a notable spa resort, offering a variety of spa procedures. The mineral springs are more than 70, with temperatures, ranging from 22 to 90 degrees Centigrade. Climatic treatment, as well as mud treatment is also practiced.

- The town of Devin is a famous balneology resort centre. The resort is also known as the best SPA resort in the Rodhopi Mountains. The water in the resort is slightly mineralized / 37- 44 C/, fluoric and has a pleasant taste. It ensures year round conditions for recreation and treatment amongst beautiful nature and fresh Bulgarian Mountain air.

- The village of Mihalkovo is a mountain climatic resort centre. It has bus communications with Devin, Plovdiv and Pazardzhik.

- The town of Luki is an architectural reserve. It has bus communications with Assenovgrad, Plovdiv, Smolyan and Chepelare. Nearby sites: numerous caves along Gradishte Ridge, Lovna and Zarenitsa Chalets, the cave north of Mt Zarenitsa (1,642 m).

- Chepelare is a well known mountain resort and a skiing centre providing excellent conditions for winter sports. Chepelare is a beautiful mountain town and the nature that surrounds it – venerable fir trees, mountain springs, green meadows (in the spring) and deep snow slopes in the winter makes it a place for complete and thorough relax. The longest ski run in Bulgaria is in Chepelare.

- Pamporovo is a mountain climatic resort and one of the leading winter resorts in Bulgaria, with excellent conditions for skiing and holiday making.

- The town of Smolyan provides regular bus communications with Sofia, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Dospat and Devin. Very good conditions for mountaineering, entertainment and adequate sleeping accommodation have been created in the town. An extraordinary experience is a visit to the astronomical observatory in the town.