PIRIN NATIONAL PARK

Pirin National Park covers a considerable part of the beautiful Pirin Mountains, which were referred by the Slavs at the time of their settling here to their god – Perun and whose name is the root for the contemporary name of the mountains.

Pirin National Park was established in 1962 and has an area of 40 000 ha. Its territory includes two natural reserves – Bayuvi Dupki – Dzhindzhiritsa – one of the oldest in Bulgaria (1934) and Yulen – declared as such in 1994. In 1977 Pirin National Park was declared a biosphere reserve under Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO.

Pirin National Park is characterized by diverse woodlands – black and white pine trees, dwarf pine. The ridge of the mountain is occupied by alpine pastures. Among grass species very characteristical are the edelweiss, Pirin tea, peony, avens, cowslip and others. The animal world is represented by wild goats, wild boars, deers, bears, wolves, among others. From the reptiles there are vipers and some blacksnakes. Specific bird species are the grouse, wallcreeper, alpine crow, snow finch, alpine swift, Balkan lark, wild dove and more. In the lakes and rivers there is Balkan trout.

There are several landmarks, declared as such, on the territory of the Park – the waterfalls Demenyashki Skok, Yulenski Skok and Banderishki Skok, eight centuries-old trees – Baykusheva White Fir, three black firs, three white firs and a white pine tree.

Walking trails, starting from Municipality of Sandanski:

• Yane Sandanski hut – Begovitsa hut – Begovitsa (Kuklensko) lake – one-day trail;
• Yane Sandanski hut – Spano Pole shelter – one-day trail;
• Begovitsa hut – Kuklite and Zabat peaks – Pirin hut – Village of Rozhen – three-day trail;
• Yane Sandanski hut – Begovitsa hut – Tevno Ezero shelter;
• Spano Pole shelter – Winer’s Gate – Tevno Ezero shelter;
• Spano Pole shelter – Begovitsa hut – Pirin hut;
• Pirin hut – Malina hut – Papazchair hut.

Mountain bike trails:

• Debrene – Bozhdovo – Dzhigurovo – Debrene;
• Petrovo – Goleshovo – Momina polyana;
• Gorno Spanchevo – Beliovo – Hrasna – Kalimantsi – Katuntsi;
• Melnik – Rozhen monastery – Zlatolist – Katuntsi;
• Rozhen – Lyubovishte – Kashina;
• Karlanovo – Sugarevo – Pirin;
• Zlatolist – Rozhen monastery.

Additional information:
Opening time: Visitor Information Center of Pirin National Park
Monday – Friday 9:00 – 17:30 (lunch break – 12:00 – 13:00)
For group visits – call in advance.