4-Day Musala Mountain Hike from Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
Trip Type: Multi-day Tours
Duration: 4 days
Musalla, is the highest peak in the entire Balkan Peninsula, standing at 2,925 m (9,596 ft). The summit of the Rila mountain range in south western Bulgaria, Musala is the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus and the highest in Eastern Europe bar the Caucasus. This package is suitable for all ages. Includes about 15 km, 8 hours walking and climbing to the peak and back, visiting the "Tzarska Bistrica" the mountain palace of the last Bulgarian tzar, visiting the Roman fortress "Cari Mali Grad" .
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Musalla, is the highest peak in the entire Balkan Peninsula, standing at 2,925 m (9,596 ft). The summit of the Rila mountain range in south western Bulgaria, Musala is the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus and the highest in Eastern Europe bar the Caucasus. This package is suitable for all ages. Includes about 15 km, 8 hours walking and climbing to the peak and back, visiting the "Tzarska Bistrica" the mountain palace of the last Bulgarian tzar, visiting the Roman fortress "Cari Mali Grad" .Day 1
Departure from Sofia at noon and travel to the Rila Mountains. You will be accommodated in a guest house in one of the mountain villages around the resort Borovetz. After that you can walk around and have dinner with homemade food.
Day 2
The second day starts early - around 7:00. After a fast breakfast you will go to the lift to the hut "Yastrebets". It is the beginning of your route to Musala. The route is about 7 km long in one direction (or 14 kilometers return) and takes about three hours and a half in one direction (or 7-8 hours in both directions) Altitude is 556 m. The first stage is 3.60 km long with an altitude of only 20 meters. Walk up the wide flat path that leads to the “Musala” hut. Hut is on the coast of the crystal “Musalensko” lake. The second stage is 2.40 km long and has an altitude of 216 meters. It includes a steep climb, which starts from the Lakes and the continues to shelter "Glacial Lake". The trail is rocky so you must be very careful. The last stage of the trail from the shelter "Glacial Lake" to Musala. The distance is 860 m and 216 m vertical drop. From the shelter it is a pretty steep climb. Summer trail is straight up. In places the path is narrow and inclined to serious precipice. On the other hand, you can go along the winter trail marked by posts which are located in the northeastern ridge of Musala - straight one rock edge to the top. Winter trail with pylons is very steep and is equipped with a metal rope. It is much easier to move in the summer trail. All the way to the top is rocky trails or simply by jumping from stone to stone. It is tiring to the knees and ankles, especially without special mountaineering boots. The road from the shelter to Musala peak is about 30-35 minutes. The view from the top is truly mind-boggling - you can safely enjoy the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; of sharp peaks of Pirin; of the mountain and the mountain; green and slopes of the Rhodopes; and finally, but not least - the majestic Stara Planina. You will have lunch in nature, and dinner will be at the guest house, for those who still have the strength and are not asleep.
Day 3
The third day is for a deserved rest and relaxed entertainment. After a rich breakfast, head to the park and palace "Royal Bistrica", which is located in the resort Borovetz and was one of the favorite palaces of the last Bulgarian kings. Park to the palace is a rich collection of plants and trees beautifully situated around the river, bridges and gardens. After visiting the castle you'll go to have lunch at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, and then walk to the reconstructed Roman fortress "Tsari Mali town." End of the day comes with barbecue and dinner in the courtyard of the guest house.
Day 4
The last day is short. Sleeping late, a rich breakfast and return back to Sofia.
Departure from Sofia at noon and travel to the Rila Mountains. You will be accommodated in a guest house in one of the mountain villages around the resort Borovetz. After that you can walk around and have dinner with homemade food.
Day 2
The second day starts early - around 7:00. After a fast breakfast you will go to the lift to the hut "Yastrebets". It is the beginning of your route to Musala. The route is about 7 km long in one direction (or 14 kilometers return) and takes about three hours and a half in one direction (or 7-8 hours in both directions) Altitude is 556 m. The first stage is 3.60 km long with an altitude of only 20 meters. Walk up the wide flat path that leads to the “Musala” hut. Hut is on the coast of the crystal “Musalensko” lake. The second stage is 2.40 km long and has an altitude of 216 meters. It includes a steep climb, which starts from the Lakes and the continues to shelter "Glacial Lake". The trail is rocky so you must be very careful. The last stage of the trail from the shelter "Glacial Lake" to Musala. The distance is 860 m and 216 m vertical drop. From the shelter it is a pretty steep climb. Summer trail is straight up. In places the path is narrow and inclined to serious precipice. On the other hand, you can go along the winter trail marked by posts which are located in the northeastern ridge of Musala - straight one rock edge to the top. Winter trail with pylons is very steep and is equipped with a metal rope. It is much easier to move in the summer trail. All the way to the top is rocky trails or simply by jumping from stone to stone. It is tiring to the knees and ankles, especially without special mountaineering boots. The road from the shelter to Musala peak is about 30-35 minutes. The view from the top is truly mind-boggling - you can safely enjoy the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; of sharp peaks of Pirin; of the mountain and the mountain; green and slopes of the Rhodopes; and finally, but not least - the majestic Stara Planina. You will have lunch in nature, and dinner will be at the guest house, for those who still have the strength and are not asleep.
Day 3
The third day is for a deserved rest and relaxed entertainment. After a rich breakfast, head to the park and palace "Royal Bistrica", which is located in the resort Borovetz and was one of the favorite palaces of the last Bulgarian kings. Park to the palace is a rich collection of plants and trees beautifully situated around the river, bridges and gardens. After visiting the castle you'll go to have lunch at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, and then walk to the reconstructed Roman fortress "Tsari Mali town." End of the day comes with barbecue and dinner in the courtyard of the guest house.
Day 4
The last day is short. Sleeping late, a rich breakfast and return back to Sofia.
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