Rila

Rila is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and Balkan peninsula. Most of high peaks are about 2500 - 2700 m a.s.l. Some of them have alpine look (Maljovica (2730) and its ridge, others are high-mountain meadows (mostly in Eastern Rila). Several peaks are higher - 2800 - 2900 m. Mussala peak with its 2925.40m a.s.l is the highest point of the mountain. Little Mussala (2902m) and Irechek (2852m) are next to it. The mountain is divided to four main parts by deep glacier-made valleys. These are the valleys of Iskar rivers, Rilska river, Mariza river. Another beautiful pieces of this mountain are its eyes - glacier lakes.

Rila is like a mother who had grown her sons and feels safe for the future. They won't leave her.

The region of Musala peak. The highest peaks are here - Musala (2925.40m), Little Musala (2902m) and Irechek (2852m). The right photo shows the Musala peak from its North side. And third picture shows what is on the summit. It is a meteo station, situated at the very high place of the Balkan peninsula.

These pictures show the circus below Musala peak. There is seven lakes, but only four are seen. The lake viewed at the second photo is named Ice lake (Ledeno ezero), because it is covered with ice till month of June.

Kalin peak (2668m). Situated in Nord-west Rila. High 2668m. This photo was made at 1st of January 1998 - a beautiful sunny day. One can see a part of Kalin lake in the down side of the picture - frozen and covered with snow. The nord side of the peak is an vertical wall. (36k). The right picture shows Kalin peak from North-East, but in the late autumn. (58k)

Snow and Sun at the South slope of Otovishky peak (41k). It is 2697m tall. The Majovica ridge can be seen to the South-East (41k, right). When the weather is clear, one can see the high mountains in Macedonia and Albania.The North slope of the peak is rocky and hides Otovishky circus with two lakes in it. The South one is steep but with no rocks and is ideal for skiers. Below the peak, at 2300m a.s.l., is situated Ivan Vazov hostel (44k). The right picture shows the glacier valley with the hostel and Polich peak. (57k)

A view to the Maljovica ridge covered by first October snow, now from Zeleni rid (74k). Orlovec (2685m) is a peak in Maljovica rocky ridge. It's slopes serve alpine tours (North - 83k, South - 65k). The South view photo is made by Rossen Varbanov. At last another view, but made in June - late spring from Vodnija chal (Water peak) (58k). More pictures from the vicinity of Maljovica

Mechit peak, 2598m (53k). Another member of Maljovica ridge. It is the first high peak of this rocky chain. There are fantastic views to all directions: The Skakavci ridge is seen to the East. Behind it, the Balkan's summit Mussala is located. Middle Rila is to the South. One can see its high peaks - Pogledec, Josifica, Kanarata and many others. A plenty of lakes shine on the Sun rays. The deep valley of Beli Iskar river (White Iskar) is below the peak. The rest of Maljovica ridge continues to the West with Lopushky peak, Popova kapa, Golyam Kupen an so on till to Maljovica. Another mountain, Vitosha, can be seen to the North. It is located near by Bulgarian capital - Sofia.

The Seven lakes' circus. This rocky peak is located in Seven Lakes region, North-West Rila. It's name is Haramijata (Hajduta) and is as tall as 2465m. The highest peak of Balkans, Mussala, is seen on the back plane. (55k). Next picture is of the Bubreka (the Kidney) lake, one of the Seven Rila lakes. Now, in the winter, it is covered with ice and snow. (62k).

Circus of Suha Vapa peak. Excellent place for camping in East Rila. A big lake, even meadows, peak to climb on ... what more? The hostel Grunchar is near by the lake. The curcus is situated at 2185m a.s.l. while Suha Vapa peak (56k) is as high as 2638m. One can climb on it directly from the lake (with some risk) or go round on the West bank of the curcus. The second picture shows Kovach peak (2640m) (44k). It can be reached in an hour or more from Grunchar hostel. The peak is rich with views to all directions, and it can be seen from almost the whole mountain. Kovach in Bulgarian language means smith in English. The name of the peak arises from the smith workshops in its foots that were there in XIX century. The south-east slope is a vertical wall.

Here are several pictures of Central Rila. One can see its highest peaks - from left to right Kanarata 2691m, Cherna poljana 2716m, Aladja slap 2684m and Riletz 2713m.

It is the time of late spring - second half of June and the snow drifts make the mountain to look so beautiful. The biggest lake in Rila (and in all Bulgarian mountains as well) is in the front of the ridge. Its name is Smradlivo ezero and is long about 900 meters (50k). The right picture shows the circus of Ribni ezera (Fish lakes) (51k). These are two big lakes, situated in the upper end of the deep narrow valley of Rilska reka (river). Kanarata and Yosifica (2697m) peaks stay at 400 - 500 meters above the circus. The hostel Ribni ezera is located nearby the upper lake. The ancient Rila monastery is downwards and can be reached in 5 - 6 hours by foot.

Several pictures of East Rila. The leftmost picture shows the Kostenec waterfall. It ends-up the canyon of Stara Reka (Old River). This beautiful place is situated in the spa of Kostenec. The spa is a start point of several mountain paths. One of them leads to the hostel Belmeken which unfortunately is destroyed by fire. The peak Belmeken (2627m) can be reached from the hostel after a hour and half walking. Here it is seen together with the dam lake Belmeken. The last picture shows the lake itself.

More galleries with pictures of Rila mountains

The Alpine ridge of Maljovica 1
The Alpine ridge of Maljovica 2
Miscelaneous

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