Climbing Musala - Bulgaria

Hello, friends. Last month, we embarked on another adventure in the mountains of Bulgaria. There, rising among the clouds, is the highest peak of the Rila Mountains, Musala. Standing at 2.925 meters, Musala is the tallest peak in Bulgaria and even the entire Balkans. In a previous post, we shared our hike to Botev Peak. Musala is even higher than Botev. Our ascent to Musala wasn’t just about sports or tourism. It was about experiencing the breathtaking mountain views.

Five years ago, we had hiked a route from the Seven Rila Lakes to Borovets. That journey also included crossing Musala Peak. It was a five-day autonomous trek that we completed relatively quickly.

Let me tell you a bit about Borovets. It’s quite easy to reach Borovets from anywhere in Bulgaria. First, head to Sofia and from there, take a small bus from Sofia’s Central Bus Station to Borovets for just 12 leva. You can stay in Borovets and start an autonomous route from thereor make a day trip to Musala Peak.

The hike from Borovets to Musala is approximately 18 kilometers and takes about 8-10 hours. However, you can take a gondola lift for 35 leva, which carries you up to 2,000 meters, significantly reducing the elevation gain. We opted for this choice as it sounded both fun and time-saving.

Borovets is a popular winter destination, but riding a gondola in the summer was an unusual experience. It was interesting to see the mountain biking trails and ski infrastructure there. The area offers an excellent system for bikers, skiers and tourists.

The day before our climb, we explored Borovets, accompanied by the youngest member of our family, our cat. It was her first cable car ride and she was wide-eyed with excitement. 😊 It was a fantastic day to relax before the climb, enjoy the scenery and sip a beer. Initially, we planned to just have drinks, but then decided to grab a bite. I ordered nuggets and fries. Luckily I ordered just one portion because it was huge and the prices were quite reasonable.

As we walked down from the four-person gondola, we followed a scenic trail through a canyon. Along the way, we encountered something surprising, a first-aid kit hanging from a tree. It contained cotton, bandages, sprays, wipes, some medicines, syringes and disinfectants. I was deeply impressed by how well it had been maintained.

After the hike, we had some time to explore Borovets itself. The town offers a wide range of accommodations for every budget. For example, one of the largest hotels, Hotel Rila, is quite luxurious. However, there are also many smaller hotels, most of which feature swimming pools and small spa areas. Summer prices are quite affordable. Bulgaria’s ski resorts are generally considered economical by European standards.

In the town center, there are many signposts for hiking trails designed for tourists. Most routes typically start from the upper cable car stations. However, you can also begin your hike from the center of Borovets, but in that case, you’ll need to plan for accommodation since the trails are long and tiring.

We also got a chance to study the winter skiing maps of the area. There are several cable cars and lifts here. We’re planning to return in winter for skiing and share a video of our experience. Since it’s the off-season now, everything is calm and peaceful. However, during the peak summer and winter seasons, this place gets very crowded.

We stayed in a small and incredibly charming hotel called Iceberg, just a 4-minute walk from the center and the gondolas. The hotel was as clean and well-maintained inside as it appeared from the outside. Our nightly rate included breakfast, access to the pool and a small spa area, which was a nice bonus. The balcony was a delight and our room even had its own bathroom. All for a very reasonable price.

After a restful evening, we needed to recharge for the challenging climb ahead. Our journey would start early in the morning when the gondolas began operating. We had heard that the gondolas were quite old, so it promised to be an interesting experience. Tickets cost 35 leva per person and the ride takes about half an hour.

The gondola cabins, though old, had a nostalgic charm. It was fascinating to see the staff manually moving the cabins. Along the ride, I noticed that the gondola towers had a vintage metal design. Watching the forest landscape and the surrounding views as we ascended was an absolute pleasure.

The place has a magical aura. Riding in those old gondola cabins and observing the antique towers feels like stepping into a time machine, taking you back to the 1960s or 70s. Unfortunately, we were traveling backward relative to the direction of the gondola’s movement, but the views were stunning nonetheless. The towers are impressively tall and a marvel of engineering.

The gondola system has two sections, with a central station where the cabins connect and continue upward. At this transfer station, the cabins bumped into each other to push us forward. an amusing detail of the ride. Eventually, we reached the upper gondola station.

Here, we came across a small bar and what looked like a shooting range, alongside a local attraction, a cathedral. From this point, we began our hike. It’s a wonderful observation area with stunning views. Even if you don’t intend to climb further, this spot alone is worth visiting to immerse yourself in nature and explore the surroundings.

The previous day, when the gondolas weren’t running, we hiked about 12 km to reach Borovets, making it quite the trek.

Our hiking route was approximately 5.8 km long, with a 600-meter elevation gain. The initial stretch was a relatively flat trail, making it easy to navigate. As we progressed, we walked through a beautiful path lined with alpine pine trees. In winter, this area transforms into a perfect skiing destination.

After about 45 minutes, we arrived at the Musala Hut. Here, hikers can enjoy tea, use paid restrooms and even opt for affordable accommodation. One of the great things about Bulgaria’s mountain trails is the availability of such huts. They are well-maintained and budget-friendly.

Continuing the journey, we encountered several scenic lakes, one of which even had fish swimming in it. Afterward, we tackled a particularly steep incline. Although the climb was challenging, the breathtaking scenery made it all worthwhile.

Close to the summit, at 2,700 meters, we reached the Everest Hut. After a short break here, we were only 200 meters away from the peak. The final ascent was relatively easy, though the crowded summit made navigating the trail a bit tricky.

At 2,926 meters, we finally reached the summit and the views were simply spectacular.

Climbing to the summit took us approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. From this high point, far above the gondola station, the panoramic 360-degree views were incredible.

The summit featured unique structures, including pyramid-shaped buildings and a warning sign about a protective wall surrounding the area. Unlike our previous visit, when the summit was quiet, this time it was bustling with tourists.

On our descent, we noticed a snowy trail that was a bit intimidating, especially as we were carrying fully loaded backpacks with a tent, cooking equipment and food for another day. Thankfully, we found the right path for our descent, which lifted our spirits.

Since it was a Sunday and the gondolas weren’t running, we had to hike back to Borovets. After 3 hours of climbing, it took an additional 6 hours to descend. Despite the long trek, it was an enjoyable experience.

During the descent, we encountered a beautiful lake surrounded by massive white rocks. At first, I couldn’t make sense of the white formations rising from the snow, but as we got closer, I realized they were part of an enormous landslide. The rocks were colossal. Some as large as houses and formed an awe-inspiring scene.

We took a short meal break near Musala, resting at a shelter with the sandwiches we brought along. Afterward, we began our return journey, covering 12 km over six hours of walking. The upper ski area of Borovets looked impressive, sitting at an altitude of 2,400 meters. The descent trails and alpine pine trees were blanketed in snow, creating fantastic freeride zones.

By the end of the day, we had trekked a total of 14.8 km and were approaching the gondola station. The station was tucked behind a rocky outcrop and the ski center boasted 4 T-bar lifts and a 4-person chairlift. From the mountain peaks, the views were impressive. Everything looked stunning from above. I can only imagine how incredible it must be here after a fresh snowfall.

As we walked further, we spotted a "ratrak" (a snowcat). It seemed operational and might be used for transportation or activities like freeriding in winter. Seeing such an old model was surprising.

The gondola system itself was fascinating to observe. Unlike modern automatic systems, the cabins here are moved manually by staff. As a cabin approaches the station, one person grabs it and another pushes it forward by hand, a unique and intriguing mechanism.

We enjoyed a smooth gondola ride to the upper station, where we found it nearly deserted. Perhaps it was the first day the gondola was operational after a long weekend, but the ski area was quiet and serene. From here, we took a short hike toward the upper station. This trail is perfect for families with young children or older visitors and offers a delightful outing for those not planning to climb Musala.

We spent another day in the area. Although there isn’t much to explore beyond the stunning views, we made the most of the tranquility. As always, our cat, the primary tourist of our family, joined us. While she couldn’t tackle the challenging trails of Musala, she thoroughly enjoyed exploring the quieter spots.

The Rila Mountains are remarkable. Ideal for trekking. Whether you prefer camping or traveling light, this region offers fantastic options. The mountain shelters are particularly convenient and even during peak season, finding accommodation is usually not an issue. A few months ago, we had a similarly comfortable experience in the Pirin Mountains. Hiking tourism is well-developed in Bulgaria, making it a joy to explore the country’s natural beauty.

We’ll continue to discover new locations. Until next time, take care and happy exploring.