Central Balkans: Two Climbers Rescued from Avalanche below Mount Botev

Two climbers caught in an avalanche in the 'Severen Dzhendem' Nature Reserve below Mount Botev in the Central Balkans (Stara Planina) were finally rescued today. The avalanche fell yesterday evening and the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services were quickly on the scene. However, the difficulty of the terrain and danger of triggering fresh avalanches hindered rescue efforts. The climbers survived the night by digging a snow-shole, and were finally rescued today. One of the climbers has a fractured leg and hypothermia, and the other has a dislocated shoulder.

Pirin Mountains: Another Avalanche Falls in the Banderitsa Valley

For the second day running an avalanche has fallen into the Banderitsa Valley in Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains. According to reports nine people were attempting to climb from the 'Banderitsa' mountain hut towards Kazanite when the avalanche struck. Thankfully none of them were actually buried by the avalanche, but one woman suffered head injuries and was evacuated to hospital by the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services.

Once again the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services are warning that there is currently hightened avalanche danger in the mountains, and reiterating their demands that skiers, snowboarders and hikers only use prepared pistes and marked winter trails.

Pirin Mountains: Avalanche Kills Skier in the Banderitsa Valley

Tragically, a 29-year old skier from Bansko was today killed in the Pirin Mountains by an avalanche which fell down one of the many avalanche gulleys on the western flank of Mount Todorin Vrah (Mount Todorka) towards the Banderitsa Valley. The accident was spotted from a lift by Macedonian tourists and the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services were swiftly on the scene. Despite quickly locating the victim, they were unable to revive him. Although an experienced skier and former ski-instructor, it seems that he, like many other skiers and snowboarders, was tempted off-piste into a region that is known to be at risk from avalanches. Almost exactly a year to the day, on 28 January 2009, a snowboarder was killed by an avalanche in the same place. Recent extreme temperature fluctuations combined with fresh snow are currently hightening the risk of avalanches in this region.

New Record Low Temperatures in Bulgaria

Last night 17 towns and villages recorded new record low temperatures. These were concentrated in northern and eastern Bulgaria. Coldest of all was the town of Dobrich in the Dobrudzha region. The record low temperature for the town had been -15.2°C recorded in 1909, but last night temperatures plunged to -25.5°C. But even this is still a long way off the coldest temperature ever recorded in Bulgaria. That was -38.3°C recorded in 1947 in the small town of Tran which lies west-north-west of Sofia close to the border with Serbia.

Forecasters are predicting another very cold day and night. Today in the mountains, at altitudes over 2000m, it is expected that maximum temperatures will be no higher than about -12°C.

Danger of Frostbite & Hypothermia in the Bulgarian Mountains

The bitter weather continues its icy grip on Bulgaria. At 08-00 this morning it was -18.0°C on the summit of Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains and as low as -20.0°C on the summit of Mount Botev in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). The Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Services are warning that there is danger of hypothermia and frostbite and that those venturing out into the mountains should be properly equipped.

Bulgarian Mountain Weather Update

This week has seen Bulgaria swept by bitter Siberian weather, bringing heavy snow and plunging temperatures. Daily temperatures on Mount Botev in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) have been averaging about -13°C during the week, and on Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains they have been averaging about -15°C.

'Rila' National Park: Investigation into Illegal Forest Cutting above Panichishte

The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment & Waters and the Executive of the Forestry Agency have started legal investigations into the illegal forest cutting which has taken place between Panichishte and the Seven Lakes.

The cutting has occured not far from the illegal new lift between the 'Pioneer' mountain hut and the 'Rilski Ezera' mountain hut. It is clear that this new felling was intended to continue development of ths ski-piste which was illegaly cut earlier in 2009 in the territory of 'Rila' National Park.

Construction of new ski developments and pistes is forbidden within the 'Rila' National Park. However, developers pushing for a new 'Panichishte-Seven Lakes-Mount Kabul' ski zone desire to encroach into the 'Rila' National Park, and the construction of the illegal new lift between the 'Pioneer' mountain hut and the 'Rilski Ezera' mountain hut was a fundamental first stage of their overall plan.

Permission for the proposed 'Panichishte-Seven Lakes-Mount Kabul' ski zone has not yet been approved, but obviously there are those who are interested in illegaly pushing ahead and trying to make it a fait accompli.

Interestingly, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment & Waters has recently rejected plans by the local forestry executive in Dupnitsa to cut new so-called fire-breaks in the forests in the region which, according to the Coalition 'For The Nature' just so happened to be of the same shape and location as the proposed ski-pistes of the developers! What a coincidence!

More information about the campaign to stop the development of the proposed 'Panichishte-Seven Lakes-Mount Kabul' ski zone illegaly encroaching into the 'Rila' National Park can be found on the website of the Coalition 'For The Nature'.

Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks

My new guidebook to 'Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks' has just been published today by Cicerone Press!

The 12 routes described in 'Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks' thread their way through the 'Central Balkan' National Park, 'Rila' National Park and 'Pirin' National Park, taking in ancient forests, shimmering glacial lakes, panoramic ridges and the two highest peaks in the country, Musala and Vihren. All great mountain walks in their own right, they have also been selected to offer the best chance of encountering a wealth of rare plants and animals. 'Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks' offers 2- to 3-day walks for fit and experienced mountain walkers and one full-day ascent of Mount Vihren with comprehensive background information about the wildlife to be seen.

Here is a short piece from the book's introduction:

'Blessed with a favourable climate, a wonderful variety of landscapes, a uniquely rich flora and fauna and a wealth of hiking trails, the choice of where to walk in Bulgaria is pretty much limitless. For the author of a guidebook such as this, it also makes the choice of what to include and what to leave out very difficult. In the end, I decided to limit the focus to Bulgaria’s three national parks, Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan. These national parks not only occupy the highest and wildest mountains in the country, but they are also threaded with a network of well-marked hiking trails. These paths typically lead through spectacular scenery and offer an unrivalled opportunity to encounter some of Europe’s rarest plants and animals.

As well as providing detailed route descriptions for many of the most outstanding walks offered by these three national parks, I have also included a great deal of background information about the history and geography of places passed along the trails, as well as comprehensive details of the wildlife likely to be seen. Mountain walking in Bulgaria’s national parks provides more than simply a physical challenge – it is a unique opportunity to experience wilderness and to glimpse the rare flora and fauna that still manages to find a safe refuge there.'

'Central Balkan' Important Bird Area

The 'Central Balkan' Important Bird Area (IBA) covers a total area of 166,678.21 hectares and includes not only the 'Central Balkan' National Park, but also the 'Bulgarka' Nature Park and several smaller protected territories.

Some 151 species of birds have been recorded breeding in the 'Central Balkan' Important Bird Area, of which 56 species are designated by BirdLife International as being of European conservation concern (SPEC). These include: 4 species of bird classified as SPEC 1 (species of global conservation concern), 21 species of bird classified as SPEC 2 (species with global populations concentrated in Europe and having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe) and 31 species of birds classified as SPEC 3 (species with global populations concentrated outside Europe but having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe).

'Pirin Mountains' Important Bird Area

The 'Pirin Mountains' Important Bird Area (IBA) covers a total area of 79,245.15 hectares and includes not only the 'Pirin' National Park, but also the 'Orelyak' Nature Reserve, as well as large areas of adjacent unprotected land in the central and southern regions of the Pirin Mountains.

Some 129 species of birds have been recorded breeding in the 'Pirin Mountains' Important Bird Area, of which 44 species are designated by BirdLife International as being of European conservation concern (SPEC). These include: 1 species of bird classified as SPEC 1 (species of global conservation concern), 13 species of bird classified as SPEC 2 (species with global populations concentrated in Europe and having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe) and 30 species of birds classified as SPEC 3 (species with global populations concentrated outside Europe but having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe).

'Rila Mountains' Important Bird Area

The 'Rila Mountains' Important Bird Area (IBA) covers a total area of 143,733.01 hectares and includes not only the 'Rila' National Park, but also the 'Rila Monastery' Nature Park and 'Rilomanistirska Gora' Nature Reserve, as well as some immediately adjoining unprotected land. As a whole, it encompasses more than 50% of the the Rila Mountains.

Some 130 species of birds have been recorded breeding in the 'Rila Mountains' Important Bird Area, of which 41 species are designated by BirdLife International as being of European conservation concern (SPEC). These include: 1 species of bird classified as SPEC 1 (species of global conservation concern), 14 species of bird classified as SPEC 2 (species with global populations concentrated in Europe and having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe) and 26 species of birds classified as SPEC 3 (species with global populations concentrated outside Europe but having an unfavourable conservation status in Europe).

'Rila' National Park: New National Park Director

A new director has been selected for the 'Rila' National Park. The new national park director for the 'Rila' National Park will be Krasimir Andonov.

It will be very interesting to see how he is going to deal with all the threats that currently face the 'Rila' National Park from proposed expansion and illegal encroachments by various ski zone projects.

'Central Balkan' National Park

Founded in 1991, the 'Central Balkan' National Park is the second largest protected territory in Bulgaria with an area of 71,669.5 hectares. It is located in the highest part of the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains), covering an 85 kilometre long stretch of the main ridge. About 39% of the 'Central Balkan' National Park comprises mountain pastures, meadows and rock outcrops. The remaining 61% of the 'Central Balkan' National Park is forested, Broad-leaved species dominate, in particular European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) which accounts for about 70% of the forested area. The most common coniferous species is Norway Spruce (Picea abies).

There are nine nature reserves within the 'Central Balkan' National Park, accounting for about 28% of its total area:

• 'Boatin' Nature Reserve (1,597.2 hectares)


• 'Tsarichina' Nature Reserve (3,418.7 hectares)


• 'Kozya Stena' Nature Reserve (904.3 hectares)


• 'Steneto' Nature Reserve (3,578.8 hectares)


• 'Stara Reka' Nature Reserve (1 974.7 hectares)


• 'Dzhendema' Nature Reserve (4,220.2 hectares)


• 'Severen Dzhendem' Nature Reserve (1,610 hectares)


• 'Peeshtite Skali' Nature Reserve (1,465.7 hectares)


• 'Sokolna' Nature Reserve (1,250 hectares)

The 'Boatin' Nature Reserve, 'Tsarichina' Nature Reserve, 'Steneto' Nature Reserve and 'Dzhendema' Nature Reserve have all been designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

The flora of the 'Central Balkan' National Park is extremely rich, some 1900 species and sub-species of higher plants which represents about half the Bulgarian flora. These include 10 local endemics (found nowhere else in the world), 10 Bulgarian endemics (known only from Bulgaria) and 67 Balkan endemics (growing only on the Balkan Peninsula).

The 'Central Balkan' National Park also has an extremely varied fauna. The invertebrate fauna is still only partly studied, but already over 2300 species and subspecies have been recorded. These include 9 species of dragonfly (Odonata) and many interesting butterflies (Lepidoptera).

The vertebrate fauna of the 'Central Balkan' National Park has been studied in much greater detail, and includes 6 species of fish, 8 species of amphibians and 14 species of reptiles. Some 224 species of birds have been recorded within the national park itself, of which 123 species have been recorded as breeding. This number increases to 151 nesting species if one includes the species that have been recorded breeding in adjacent areas and which fall within the 'Central Balkan' Important Bird Area (IBA). Some 59 species of mammals have been recorded in the 'Central Balkan' National Park. These include 18 species of bats, 25 species of small mammals (insectivores and rodents), and 16 species of large mammals, of which 12 species are carnivores including brown bear, wolf, jackal and even a record of a lynx.

'Pirin' National Park

The origins of the 'Pirin' National Park go back to 1962, but during the ensuing years its boundaries have been enlarged and altered several times. Today the 'Pirin' National Park occupies a total area of 40,332.4 hectares, and covers about 15% of the Pirin Mountains. About 43% of the 'Pirin' National Park comprises open terrain, in the form of mountain pastures and meadows, as well as rocky peaks, ridges and screes. The remaining 57% of the national park is forested, in particular by extensive areas of Dwarf Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo), Macedonian Pine (Pinus peuce), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies).

There are two nature reserves within the 'Pirin' National Park, accounting for about 14.9% of its total area:

'Bayuvi Dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa' Nature Reserve (2,873 hectares)

'Yulen' Nature Reserve (3,156.2 hectares)

The 'Bayuvi Dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa' Reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, whilst the 'Pirin' National Park as a whole was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The flora of the 'Pirin' National Park is very rich, some 1315 species of higher plants which represents about one third of the total number of species found within Bulgaria. These include 18 local Pirin endemics (found nowhere else in the world), 17 Bulgarian endemics (known only from Bulgaria) and 86 Balkan endemics (growing only on the Balkan Peninsula).

The 'Pirin' National Park also has an extremely diverse and interesting fauna. The invertebrate fauna is still only partly studied, but already over 2000 species have been found. These include 9 species of dragonfly (Odonata) and many interesting butterflies (Lepidoptera).

The vertebrate fauna of the 'Pirin' National Park has been studied in much greater detail, and includes 6 species of fish, 8 species of amphibians and 11 species of reptiles. During recent studies, some 159 species of birds have been found within the national park itself, of which 110 species have been recorded as breeding. This number increases to 129 nesting species if one includes the species that have been recorded breeding in adjacent areas and which fall within the 'Pirin' Important Bird Area (IBA). Some 45 species of mammals have been recorded in the 'Pirin' National Park. These include 16 species of bats, 16 species of small mammals (insectivores and rodents), and 13 species of large mammals, of which 9 species are carnivores including brown bear and wolf.

'Rila' National Park

Covering an area of 81,046 hectares, the 'Rila' National Park is Bulgaria’s largest national park. It was established in 1992 and covers about 30% of the Rila Mountains. About one third of the 'Rila' National Park comprises open terrain, in the form of rocky peaks and ridges, or high mountain pastures and meadows. The remaining two thirds of the national park are forested, in particular extensive coniferous forests dominated by Norway Spruce (Picea abies), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Macedonian Pine (Pinus peuce).

There are four nature reserves within the 'Rila' National Park, accounting for about 20% of its total area:

• 'Parangalitsa' Nature Reserve (1,509 hectares)


• 'Skakavitsa' Nature Reserve (70.8 hectares)


• 'Ibar' Nature Reserve (2,248.6 hectares)


• 'Central Rila' Nature Reserve (12,393.7 hectares)

The 'Parangalitsa' Reserve and part of the 'Central Rila' Reserve are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

The flora of the 'Rila' National Park is exceptionally rich, some 1400 species of higher plants which represents nearly 40% of the total number of species found within Bulgaria. These include 3 local Rila endemics (found nowhere else in the world), 18 Bulgarian endemics (known only from Bulgaria) and 36 Balkan endemics (growing only on the Balkan Peninsula).

The 'Rila' National Park also has an extremely diverse and interesting fauna. The invertebrate fauna is still only partly studied, but already almost 3000 species have been found, and the final total is estimated to be around 7000 species. These include several interesting species of dragonfly (Odonata) and butterflies (Lepidoptera).

The vertebrate fauna of the 'Rila' National Park has been studied in more detail, and includes 12 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians and 10 species of reptiles. Some 99 species of birds have been recorded breeding within the national park itself, but this number increases to 130 species if one includes the species that have been recorded breeding in adjacent areas and which fall within the 'Rila' Important Bird Area (IBA). Some 49 species of mammals have been recorded in the 'Rila' National Park. These include 10 species of bats, 23 species of small mammals (insectivores and rodents), and 16 species of large mammals, of which 11 species are carnivores including brown bear and wolf.

Bulgaria's National Parks

Bulgaria has a long tradition of nature conservation. Its first protected area, the 'Silkosiya' Nature Reserve was established in the Strandzha Mountains in 1931. Three years later, in 1934, a 'People's Park' was established on the Vitosha Mountains, becoming the first such “national nature park” to be established on the Balkan Peninsula. Today, Bulgaria’s protected areas encompass approximately 4.3% of the country’s territory, and comprise 90 nature reserves, 3 national parks, 11 nature parks, 457 natural landmarks, and 175 protected localities.
Bulgaria's three National Parks (IUCN Category II) are:

• 'Pirin' National Park (40, 332.4 hectares)


• 'Rila' National Park (81,046 hectares)


• 'Central Balkan' National Park (71,669.5 hectares)

This blog is dedicated to describing the wonderful hiking and wildlife watching opportunities in Bulgaria's national parks, and to promoting the protection and conservation of what are outstanding mountain regions rich in an exceptional flora and fauna.

Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains)

The Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) cover a total area of 11,600 square kilometres, almost one tenth of Bulgaria’s total land mass, and stretch right across the country from the Serbian border in the west to the Black Sea in the east. As a whole, the range comprises a large number of individual, yet closely associated massifs. However, a distinct main ridge can be delineated, which stretches for 530 kilometres from the Belogradchik Pass to Cape Emine, with an average width of between 15 and 50 kilometres. Although the average altitude of the range is only 722 metres, twenty-nine of its peaks top 2000 metres.

The name Stara Planina literally means 'Old Mountains', yet despite this title, they are in geological terms, the youngest mountain range in Bulgaria. The Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) are on one of the so-called “new fold-mountains” that were uplifted as part of the Alpine-Himalayan system during the Tertiary period. The ancient core of the range mainly consists of Palaeozoic crystalline schists, often interspersed with granites. However, it is only in higher parts of the Western Stara Planina (Western Balkans) and Central Stara Planina (Central Balkans) that these break through to the surface. Elsewhere they have been outflanked by younger Mesozoic rocks, predominantly limestones, sandstones and marls. Due to their comparatively modest altitude, the Stara Planina (Central Balkans) were not subject to the effects of galciation during the Quaternary period, and thus lack many of the most striking features associated with typical alpine terrain. Instead, in many places, the range has been gradually eroded into a broad, rolling ridge of rounded summits and shallow saddles.

Pirin Mountains

The Pirin Mountains lie in the south-western part of Bulgaria, extending south-east for 80 kilometres from their junction with the Rila Mountains at the Predela Pass (1140 metres) to their boundary with the Slavyanka Mountains at the Paril Saddle (1170 metres). To the west they are bordered by the valley of the river Struma (Strymon) and to the east by that of the river Mesta (Nestos). Within these borders, the Pirin Mountains cover a total area of 2585 square kilometres. The average altitude of the range is only 1033 metres, but there are sixty peaks over 2500 metres, and three above 2900 metres, including Mt. Vihren (2914 metres), the second highest summit in Bulgaria.

The Pirin Mountains take their name from Perun, the Slavic thunder god who was said to dwell amidst the highest peaks of the range. It is certainly a fitting residence for a storm god, for these mountains are the wildest and most rugged of all the Bulgarian ranges, the northern part having a truly alpine form with jagged peaks, sharp crests, and numerous glacially sculpted cirques and valleys.

When walking in the Pirin Mountains, you cannot help noticing the abrupt change between limestone and granite rocks that takes place beneath your feet. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Northern Pirin at the Vihrenski Preslap, a ridgeback saddle where limestone suddenly gives way to granite. Another very obvious feature in northern parts of the range is the influence of glaciation. The beautiful alpine form of the Pirin Mountains with their narrow crests, scooped-out cirques and deep trough valleys is a legacy of this process. Today the glaciers may have gone, but evidence of their former presence is still very clear to see.

Rila Mountains

The Rila Mountains are probably the best known and most frequented range in Bulgaria. They have a rugged alpine beauty, with rocky ridges, bristling peaks, plunging precipices, and a host of sparkling lakes and streams. Their name is thought to derive from an ancient Thracian word meaning “rich in water”. It is certainly a fitting title, for these mountains form one of the chief water catchment areas on the whole of the Balkan Peninsula. The Mesta (Nestos) and Maritsa (Evros), two of the greatest rivers in the region, have their source here, whilst a third, the Struma (Strymon), receives many of its major tributaries from the range.

The Rila Mountains lie in the south-western part of Bulgaria. Measuring 83 kilometres from east to west, and 52 kilometres from north to south, they cover a total area of 2629 square kilometres. The average altitude of the range is 1487 metres, but 140 peaks top 2000 metres. Furthermore, the Rila Mountains can lay claim to the highest summit on the entire Balkan Peninsula, as Mt. Musala (2925 metres) pips Mt. Mitikas in Greece’s Olympos range to the honour by a mere eight metres.

The Rila Mountains are part of the so-called Rilo-Rhodope Massif, the oldest land-mass in the region. Predominantly formed of ancient crystalline schists, interspersed with granites and gneiss, it was first raised during the Palaeozoic era. Later, during the Tertiary period, it was uplifted many more times. However, it is the more recent events of the Quaternary period that have had the most dramatic impact on the range. The Rila Mountains characteristic alpine form, with its jagged peaks, scooped out cirques, deep trough valleys and rugged moraines, are all the result of Pleistocene glaciation. Perhaps the most striking legacy of this period is the large number of glacial lakes that lie scattered throughout the heart of the Rila Mountains. Affectionately referred to as 'The Blue Eyes of the Rila', they are thought to number 189 in total. Ledenoto Ezero (The Icy Lake), at the northern foot of Mt. Musala, is the highest-lying glacial lake on the whole of the Balkan Peninsula.

Bulgarian Mountains

With nearly 73% of Bulgaria lying at an altitude of less than 600 metres, and the average altitude of the country being just 470 metres, it would appear from the statistics that Bulgaria is not a particularly mountainous country. However, because of their form and distribution, the mountains of Bulgaria still manage to impose their presence on large areas of the country. Furthermore, their complex geological history gives the Bulgarian mountains great variety, and in places they boast dramatic alpine-type terrain with narrow crests, jagged peaks and beautifully sculpted glacial cirques. Bulgaria has some 37 separate mountains ranges, but this blog will be focusing on three of the major ones, the Rila Mountains, Pirin Mountains, and Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), and in particular the three national parks which they encompass.