Pirin National Park Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Unesco • National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the Blagoevgrad region of Bulgaria lies the breathtaking Pirin National Park. This natural wonderland is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and awe-inspiring mountain ranges, Pirin National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking adventure and tranquility.

The park spans over 270 square kilometers and is home to the majestic Pirin Mountains, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These towering peaks, reaching over 2,900 meters, offer hiking and climbing opportunities for all skill levels. From easy nature walks to challenging summit ascents, there is a trail for every adventurer. Along the way, visitors will be greeted by stunning alpine meadows, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and dense forests, creating a picturesque backdrop for their journey.

For those who prefer to explore on two wheels, Pirin National Park also offers a network of mountain biking trails. Cyclists can pedal their way through the wilderness, taking in the breathtaking scenery as they navigate the rugged terrain. The park's well-maintained trails cater to both beginners and experienced riders, ensuring a thrilling and unforgettable biking experience for all.

Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of fauna that calls Pirin National Park home. The park is home to rare and endangered species such as the Balkan chamois and the brown bear. Birdwatchers will also be in their element, as the park boasts over 170 species of birds, including the majestic golden eagle. The park's diverse ecosystems, ranging from alpine meadows to coniferous forests, provide a perfect habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

After a day of exploring, visitors can unwind and rejuvenate in the charming town of Bansko, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. This historic town offers a blend of traditional Bulgarian architecture and modern amenities. Stroll through its cobblestone streets, visit its quaint museums, and indulge in delicious local cuisine at one of the many traditional taverns.

Local name: Пирин Established: 1962 (62 years ago)Unesco: from 1983Area: 148.07 mi²Elevation: 8258 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°44'28"N, 23°25'55"E

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BlagoevgradBulgaria

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Pirin National Park Top Attractions

Pirin National Park Attractions - What to See and Explore

Pirin National Park offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Popovo Lake, Kralev Dvor, Kamenitsa Peak, Dzhano. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Popovo Lake
The Popovo Lake is a glacial lake situated in the northern section of the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is one of the eleven Popovi Lakes. The lake and its surroundings are among the most popular places for summer tourism in Pirin National Park.
Mountain
Kralev Dvor
Kralev Dvor is a 2,680 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located on the southern part of the main mountain ridge. It is a pyramidal peak formed by cirque erosion by the glaciers in the cirques of Demir Kapia, Kralev Dvor and Belemeto.
Mountain
Kamenitsa Peak
Kamenitsa is a peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the 22 km-long Kamenitsa secondary ridge between the summits of Malka Kamenitsa to the north and Yalovarnika to the south.

Mountain
Dzhano
Dzhano is a 2,668 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the mountain's main ridge between Demirkapia Saddle and the summit of Chengelchal in the south.
Tree
Baikushev's pine
Baikushev's pine is a coniferous tree from the species Bosnian pine situated in Pirin, southwestern Bulgaria. It is named after its discoverer, forest ranger Kostadin Baikushev, and is located near the Banderitsa refuge.
Mountain
Yalovarnika
Yalovarnika is a 2,763 m-high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the 22 km-long Kamenitsa secondary ridge between the summits of Kamenitsa to the north and Zabat, Kuklite and Golena to the south.
Lake
Banderishki Lakes
The Banderishki Lakes are a large group of lakes in the Pirin mountains in southwestern Bulgaria. They are situated in the Banderitsa valley and mark the beginning of the Banderitsa river. There are 17 lakes in all but only 5 have names.
Lake
Vasilashki Lakes
The Vasilashki Lakes are situated in Pirin, Bulgaria in a large cirque between the Todorka and Vasilashki Chukar peaks. The cirque is opened to the east, where it faces the Demyanitsa river in which the water of the lakes pour.
Mountain
Muratov Vrah
Muratov Vrah is a 2,669 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is situated on the main ridge of the mountain range, to the southwest of the summit of Hvoynati Vrah and to the northwest of the rocky ridge Donchovi Karauli, from which it is separated by the saddle Banderishka porta.
Mountain
Momin Dvor
Momin Dvor is a 2,723 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on its main ridge between the summits of Kralev Dvor and Dzhengal.
Lake
Samodivski Lakes
The Samodivski Lakes is a small group of lakes in Pirin, southwestern Bulgaria, part of the larger group of Popovski lakes. They are situated very close to each other in a small cirque to the south west of the Popovo Lake between the peak Dzhengal, Momin Dvor and Kralev Dvor.
Mountain
Bashliyski Chukar
Bashliyski Chukar is a 2,683 m-high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin and is built up of granite.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Sinanishko Lake
The Sinanishko Lake is a lake in Pirin, southwestern Bulgaria, situated below the Sinanitsa Peak in the small Sinanitsa cirque at an altitude of 2,181 metres. With depth of 11.5 metres it is among the 10 deepest lakes in the mountain range. It has an elongated shape and an area of 10,100 square metres.
Mountain
Sivria
Sivria is a 2,591 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the Dzhangalitsa ridge that stems from Pirin's main ridge at the summit of Dzhano.
Lake
Kremenski Lakes
Kremenski Lakes are a lake group in the Pirin mountains, southwestern Bulgaria composed of two larger and two smaller lakes situated in a narrow but salient cirque of the same name. They are surrounded by the peaks Sivriya and Dzhano and the Kremenski elevation which ends with Kremenski peak.
Hiking • Alpine hut
Banderitsa refuge
The Banderitsa refuge is a refuge in northern Pirin, Bulgaria situated on the left shores of the Banderishka river at an altitude of 1,810 m. It is located at 14 km of Bansko.
Mountain
Kuklite
Kuklite is a 2,686 m-high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the Kamenitsa secondary ridge between the summits of Yalovarnika, Zabat to the north-east and Golena to the south. It is built up of granite.
Mountain
Zabat Peak
Zabat is a 2,688 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. Built up of granite, it is located in the northern part of Pirin in the central section of the Kamenitsa secondary ridge.
Mountain
Chengelchal
Chengelchal is a 2,709 m high peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. It is located in the northern part of Pirin on the mountain's main ridge to the south of the summit of Dzhano, with which it is linked via a narrow and rocky saddle known as Malkoto Konche.

Things to See and Do in Pirin National Park by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Pirin National Park.

Active

Banderitsa refuge
Pirin National Park
HikingAlpine hut
H.Vihren
Pirin National Park
HikingAlpine hut
Pirin hut
Pirin National Park
HikingAlpine hut

Mountain

Kralev Dvor
Pirin National Park
Mountain
Kamenitsa Peak
Pirin National Park
Mountain
Dzhano
Pirin National Park
Mountain
Yalovarnika
Pirin National Park
Mountain
Muratov Vrah
Pirin National Park
Mountain

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Natural attraction

Popovo Lake
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureLake
Sinanishko Lake
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureLake
Banski Suhodol
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureMountain
Sinanitsa
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureMountain
Gazey
Pirin National Park
NatureNatural attractionMountain

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Lake

Popovo Lake
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureLake
Banderishki Lakes
Pirin National Park
Lake
Vasilashki Lakes
Pirin National Park
Lake
Samodivski Lakes
Pirin National Park
Lake
Sinanishko Lake
Pirin National Park
Natural attractionNatureLake

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Other categories

Nature

Day trips

Pirin National Park – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Pirin National Park, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Rila Monastery, Musala (Rila National Park), Rozhen Monastery (Melnik).

28 milesN
, Monastery, Historical place
Rila Monastery
Nestled in the heart of the Rila Mountains, the Rila Monastery stands as a beacon of Bulgarian spirituality and cultural significance. This monumental edifice, founded in the 10th century by St. John of Rila, is not only a working monastery but also one of Bulgaria's...
31 milesN
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Musala, Rila National Park
Musala stands as the highest peak not only in Rila National Park but also in Bulgaria, rising majestically to an elevation of 2,925 meters. This towering peak, whose name aptly translates to "near God" or "place for prayer," is a beacon for adventurers and nature...
15 milesS
Sacred and religious sites, Monastery
Rozhen Monastery, Melnik
Nestled in the serene Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria, the Rozhen Monastery is a testament to the country's rich medieval history and spiritual heritage. This Bulgarian Orthodox monastery, located near the smallest city in Bulgaria, Melnik, is one of the few medieval...
15 milesS
Museum, History museum
Kordopulov House, Melnik
Nestled in the smallest town in Bulgaria, Melnik, the Kordopulov House stands as a testament to the region's rich history and architectural heritage. Built in 1754 by the affluent Kordopoulos family, this imposing mansion now serves as a museum, attracting visitors who...
37 milesN
Town, Winter sport, Ski area
Panichishte
Nestled in the heart of the Rila Mountains of Bulgaria, Panichishte offers a serene and picturesque destination for ski enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Known for its crisp mountain air and stunning natural beauty, this ski area is a hidden gem that provides a...