Musala is the highest peak in Rila Mountain, the highest peak in Bulgaria and the highest peak in the entire Balkan Peninsula(2925m).
Its name means “near God” or “ place for prayer” and except the highest point, it is also the coldest place in the Balkan Peninsula. Starting from Borovets the route that leads you there is around 13 km long and the displacement is almost 1600m. There is an easy way also - with a goldola lift, that takes you to a point 2400m asl and saves you more that 1000m of the displacement.
I prefer the long way. The hardest part for me is always the Musala pathway - it leads you to Musala Hut(2389m). Not because it is hard, just the first 1/3 of the whole trek I feel lazy, tired, I wonder why I do this again and I want to go back.
I trek a lot, and I’ve noticed it is always like that in the first 2 hours of a long trek. Then something happens, and suddenly it becomes a pleasure and I start to feel great, to pay attention and to cherish more the beauty around me, and to feel happy that I am there.
The peak in the background is Musala.
Musalensko Lake near Musala Hut.
And a little chill time after the long monotonous Musala pathway.
This is how the lake and the hut look like from a higher point.
The next lake - Ledeno Lake( The Icy Lake). There is a shelter near it - The « Ledeno Ezero » shelter.
And the final - Musala peak and the gorgeous panoramas around.
All major mountain ranges of Bulgaria can be seen from here, Vitosha,Sredna Gora, the Balkan Mountains, the Rhodope Mountains, Pirin, Osogovo and Ruy Mountain and,of course, Rila.
That’s theoretically - maybe in a more clear day.
That’s the meteo station at the top. In case of an emergency situations people are allowed to stay here overnight.
Descending from the top, while walking again on Musala pathway, I saw that old couple walking holding hands. That was sweet, although I doubt that it is the most convenient way for hiking 😁
Recharging Earthing time is important! :)
Thanks for coming again with me to the top :)
Check also how winter Musala looks like, it is quite different -