Pirin Mountain
Pirin is the most beautiful and most Alpine type mountain in Bulgaria. It is the second highest after the Rila (Bulgaria) and third in the Balkan peninsula (after the highest peak of Mount Olympus, Greece - Mitika Peak, 2917 m).
Pirin is situated in Southwestern Bulgaria and occupies the southwest corner of the Rila-Rhodopes. It has elongated shape with a northwest-southeast direction, surrounded by rivers Struma and Mesta.
Over the centuries the mountain has been known under different names: Thracian Orbelus (Orbel), meaning "snow mountain" old Slavic Judenitsa (from storm-- fairies who inhabit the mountain folk), a new Slavic Perun related to god Perun, which according to Slavic mythology lived on Vihren fire and threw her in the form of thunderstorms, Beride Turkish, meaning "patent".
According to recent studies, Pirin name comes from the Hittite word perunash - rock and Thracian name or Perintus Pirintos.
Because of the unique nature of the mountain in 1976 created the National Park Pirin, which now covers almost the entire northern Pirin Mountains and has an area of about 40,000 ha.
Given its extreme value in excess of the limits of Bulgaria in 1983 by decision of UNESCO Park Pirin included in the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage National Park as a biosphere.
There are in Pirin 3 biosphere reserves: Dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa (within National Park), Tisata "(also in the Northern Pirin) and Orelek" (in the Middle Pirin).
18 km northeast of the town of Sandanski, Pirin is a picturesque resort Popina bow/luka and 11-meter Popina waterfall. The resort is a starting point for various hiking routes.
The National park "Pirin" included in the list of national parks and reserves of the United Nations Organisation,as well as in the list of cultural and nature landmarks of UNESCO The park is rich in its lakes, waterfalls, caves,age-old trees and historical places.
Pirin is the most snowy mountain on the Balkan peninsula. This is an excellent opportunity for practising winter sports.
In the foot of Todorin peak are situated one of the best skiing tracks in Bulgaria. Three-seats lift takes the winter sports fans to 2500 m altitude. The track length is 2,6 km. and the difference in heights is 800 m. The terrains are suitable for class skiers as well as for beginners.
Pirin is situated in Southwestern Bulgaria and occupies the southwest corner of the Rila-Rhodopes. It has elongated shape with a northwest-southeast direction, surrounded by rivers Struma and Mesta.
Over the centuries the mountain has been known under different names: Thracian Orbelus (Orbel), meaning "snow mountain" old Slavic Judenitsa (from storm-- fairies who inhabit the mountain folk), a new Slavic Perun related to god Perun, which according to Slavic mythology lived on Vihren fire and threw her in the form of thunderstorms, Beride Turkish, meaning "patent".
According to recent studies, Pirin name comes from the Hittite word perunash - rock and Thracian name or Perintus Pirintos.
Because of the unique nature of the mountain in 1976 created the National Park Pirin, which now covers almost the entire northern Pirin Mountains and has an area of about 40,000 ha.
Given its extreme value in excess of the limits of Bulgaria in 1983 by decision of UNESCO Park Pirin included in the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage National Park as a biosphere.
There are in Pirin 3 biosphere reserves: Dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa (within National Park), Tisata "(also in the Northern Pirin) and Orelek" (in the Middle Pirin).
18 km northeast of the town of Sandanski, Pirin is a picturesque resort Popina bow/luka and 11-meter Popina waterfall. The resort is a starting point for various hiking routes.
The National park "Pirin" included in the list of national parks and reserves of the United Nations Organisation,as well as in the list of cultural and nature landmarks of UNESCO The park is rich in its lakes, waterfalls, caves,age-old trees and historical places.
Pirin is the most snowy mountain on the Balkan peninsula. This is an excellent opportunity for practising winter sports.
In the foot of Todorin peak are situated one of the best skiing tracks in Bulgaria. Three-seats lift takes the winter sports fans to 2500 m altitude. The track length is 2,6 km. and the difference in heights is 800 m. The terrains are suitable for class skiers as well as for beginners.