Musala peak (2925 m) in Rila mountain is the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula. It is located not far away South of Samokov town. The height and the beautiful sceneries which you can enjoy from the peak, make it a special place worth seeing. It is one of the "100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria".
Musala peak is the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus and the highest in Eastern Europe bar the Caucasus. Between 1949–1962 the peak was named Stalin after Joseph Stalin.
Musala is situated within the Rila National Park, which is noted for its rich flora, including species such as Macedonian Pine and Bulgarian Fir in the forests on its middle slopes, and fauna; it is one of the easiest places in Europe to see the wallcreeper. All major mountain ranges of Bulgaria can be seen from the top; these include Vitosha to the Northwest, Sredna Gora towards the Northeast, the Balkan Mountains along most of the northern horizon behind Vitosha and Sredna Gora, the Rhodope Mountains to the Southeast, Pirin to the South, Osogovo and Ruy Mountain to the West, and of course Rila.
The Price Includes
- Professional mountain guide;
- Transport with car from Sofia to Borovets and back.
The Price Does Not Include
- Mountain health insurance;
- Lift from Borovets to Yastrebets and back;
- Food.
Itinerary
The easiest climb is by a straightforward footpath from the ski resort of Borovets, 10 km to the North; there is also a Gondola lift from Borovets to the Yastrebets peak at 2,369 m altitude and several mountain chalets. From Yastrebets it is a one hour hike to the Musala chalet (2,430 m), from which the ascent to the summit takes another 1,5 to 2 hours via the shelter Everest, the highest mountain hut in Bulgaria. A weather station functioned at the summit until it was devastated by a fire in 1984. The station was re-opened in 1999 as the Environmental Observatory "Musala" of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences where, in addition to climatic conditions, air pollutants and space radiation are also monitored.Personal Equipment
Climbing Musala peak through the normal tourist route doesn’t require any special alpine skills or equipment, but the following gear is essential for any easy hike or trek:- Hiking boots;
- Warm long-sleeve pullover (polar) windstopper;
- Wind-proof jacket (preferably with a Gore-Tex membrane);
- Raincover;
- 2-3 short-sleeve t-shirts;
- Cap;
- Sunglasses (with UV-protection);
- Sunscreen.
