RILA (Musala 2925 m)

Musala (2925 m) is the highest peak in the Balkans and the highest peak of mountain Rila. The name comes from the word “Mus Allah,” which means “closer to Allah.” This name dates from the time of Turkish rule. Before that time, peak was called Tangra. The most important thing is that Musala is not difficult to climb.

The trail starts from Borovets, the oldest and most famous Bulgarian ski resort. Distance between Belgrade and Borovets is 480 km. After Belgrade-Nis highway, you will pass through Pirot and Dimitrovgrad. You will enter Bulgaria at the border crossing Gradina. On the way to Borovets, you will pass the city of Sofia.

Borovec is located at 1315 meters a.s.l. Trail to Musala starts from the gondola station “Yastrebets”, at 2369 meters a.s.l. Yastrebets can be reached by a path, I think you will need about 3 hours of walk. It is much easier to take a gondola. Then you will come to Yastrebets in 20 minutes. Return ticket costs about 6 euros. The first gondola leaves at 08:30. Pay attention at what time the last gondola from Yastrebets goes! Gondola station in Borovets has a strange working time, I think the first Monday (and possibly even Tuesday!) in a month gondola does not work!

A marked trail starts from the station Yastrebets (2369 m) and leads to the lodge “Musala” (2389 m). Distance between gondola station and the lodge is an hour of walk. 

Rila is famous for its numerous glacial lakes. One of them is located right in front of the lodge “Musala”.

From the lodge to the top, it takes about an hour and a half. The trail passes by incredibly blue lakes. Fascinating and enchanting sight!

Just below the summit, at 2710 m, is a lodge called “Everest”. You can overnight in the lodge. In front of the lodge is an Icy lake.

From the lodge, two roads leads to Musala. One path goes over the rocks, the other one is normal, marked trail.

And then – Musala! The roof of the Balkans! What a view! You can see the lakes and surrounding peaks. Magnificent!

So, it is not difficult to climb the highest peak of the Balkans. Hike is really nice, mainly because of the glacial lakes. Nature is also interesting. The view is great and the heart is full! I recommend Musala in combination with Rila lakes, a great weekend tour!

On my way back, I met in Borovets a small group of botanists-hikers who read my posts on this site 🙂 Big hello for them!

August 2013.