The eco trails in Pirin

Winter is slowly retreating from the mountain slopes. The beautiful crocus weather is coming, and the thought of spring is like a gentle breeze and a gentle smile.

In the meadows around the Ruskovets hotel complex, field flowers shyly open their colorful eyes. The Pirin peaks are covered in snow, but it won’t be for long. Therefore, summer mountain training should start right now, in March.

But making friends with the mountain requires a good physical condition, for which regular going to the gym is not enough. To urban sports, cross-country walking should be added for the specific training of the muscles and flow: the lower part of the legs, the glutes and the hamstrings. Spring is more than inspiring in preparation for summer trekking. Do not miss even the few days off to touch Pirin, Rila and the Rhodopes. The light eco-trails in March, April, May and June are attractive with their variety of flowers and the eager rush of awakening nature. They can also be defined as curative climate and dendro-therapy, mandatory after the winter confinement in the home and the almost inevitable viral and other harassments.

What are eco-paths?

Eco-trails are walking routes lasting up to two hours, which are characterized by easy and varied terrain, suitable altitude and remarkable scenery. Their educational orientation is irrevocable. Their goal is for tourists to open their senses to life outside the human world, to gain knowledge about the history and culture of local communities, to protect nature.

Complex Ruskovets in Dobrinishte is centrally located in a valley between two national parks with remarkable biodiversity: Pirin and Rila.

Directorate of Pirin National Park is based in the city of Bansko. Any beginning in getting to know Pirin can start from the Visitor Information Center of the park, which is located at the approaches to the mountain, at the end of the established pedestrian and road artery in Bansko, “Pirin” street. The center opened its doors in 2015. and has a screening room and educational exhibits. The visit is free. Here you can familiarize yourself with a model of the mountain massif, on which all routes, huts and sights are marked, and thus create your mountain program, consulted by the park’s well-prepared experts. We assure you that the children will be quite impressed, especially since they will also have the opportunity to watch interesting films about wild animals, birds, butterflies and plants.

Around the building there are places for children to rest and play, and a parking lot.

The eco-routes in Pirin start from several starting points: from Bansko, from Dobrinishte and from the area of Betelovoto.

Eco trails from Bansko:

• The path for the disabled in the Rolbana area. Altitude 1230 m.a.s.l., length: 1.682 km., 2 km. from the city of Bansko; duration of the walk – 1 hour. Specifics: the path is shady, winding among tall coniferous trees, there are rest and picnic areas, suitable for people with children and wheelchairs. Unfortunately, the constructed toilet is not open for free use, due to the danger of vandalism
• Eco trail “Demyanishka river tells”. It starts from 992 m.a.s.l. above the Katerina hotel up to 1900m above sea level – Demyanitsa hut; Length: 8.925 km; duration of the walking route: 4 hours. Specifics: the rich history of Bansko as a place of freedom-loving, brave and at the same time Christ-loving people can be traced along the route. Signs provide information about the area of Glavite and Todorova Ornitsa, where the medieval chapel of St. Theodore. Pay attention to the cross forged by the greatest blacksmith in Bulgaria, the banskalia Radoslav Sarafov, and to the fine drawing of the icons that came out under the brush of Antoineta Kisiova. Light a candle and protect the holy places!
• Eco and historical path “Kalyata” to the area of the Caves. It starts from the starting station of the gondola and continues along the convenient ski road. The route is about 2km. The passage opens up a majestic view of the Pirin peaks and is especially pleasant at noon, when it is lit by the warm southern sun. Next to the trail flows the river Glazne, which was formed by the meeting of two sisters, Banderitsa and Demyanitsa, according to local legend. The exact place where the two rivers meet is under a picturesque bridge. Inquisitive and observant people will find it interesting to compare the two riverbeds: Demyanitsa has raging waters, granite stones and never dries up, while the other carries rolling marbles and water that is lost somewhere underground. Kalyat is a historical place for Bansko, a ruin of a medieval fortress. The legend of Bana, the nobleman of the valley and his beautiful and blue-eyed daughter Todorka, is associated with her. At the end of the path are the Caves – a rock massif with large natural niches. Here, an information board gives directions for the constructed climbing traverses.
• The Orchid Trail in June. Orchids in the Bulgarian botanical dictionary belong to the Salep family. The amateur trail over the hill of St. Ivan. it is not marked, but is popular with local people as a therapeutic route for upper respiratory problems, recovery from pneumonia and in oncological cases. The healing power of the path lies in the crystal clear air with an intense aroma of resin, in the beautiful nature and the incredible panorama of Mount Konarevo, which can be seen from this place.
• Eco and historical trail to the area of St. Nikola between Bansko and Dobrinishte. The place is known for the dispute between the two settlements as to who it belongs to. Banskalians put up a sign “Bansko Zemlishte”, good people replace it; for the Banskalians it is their oldest settlement, and for the Dobrinishte the “nameless city”… In fact, the area of St. Nikola is a naturally fortified and elevated place above the valley, an observation post. The sheer cliff to the north is 100 meters high, and behind it, to the south, is a fairy tale place: sunny, fertile and surrounded by a meandering river. The centuries-old settlement was discovered after archaeological excavations. The Christian chapel was restored. In the summer, the museum complex in Bansko organizes guided tours once a week and upon request. It can be reached by car on a dirt road from the roadside church of St. George.
• Next to Baikusheva mura – the oldest tree in Bulgaria with an age of more than 1300 years. It is located above the parking lot at the Banderitsa hut. To protect the roots from tourist erosion, access to the tree is via a wooden ladder. It is forbidden to break off pieces of the bark of the tree, which by some insane intention becomes a destructive practice, as well as to slip coins, leaves and objects, but you can embrace this sacred tree and draw strength from the earth and the sky.

Eco-trails from the Betelovoto area

• The Betelovoto area is part of Razlog municipality. It is located 17 km. from Bansko. The area is heavily built up with holiday complexes. From here begins the border line of the Pirin National Park and the remarkable park area and reserve Baiovi dupki-Dingjeritsa.
• A walking route to the Kalyata area lasting about 33 minutes. It is believed that Kalyat is another observation and defense post of the Razlozhka valley. It marks the line of an old Roman road with dot roads in Bansko, St. Nicholas, St. Pantaleimon in Dobrinishte, leading to Gotse Delchev and further to the White Sea. The route is also popular as a “Perfect Day” mountain bike route.
• Yavorov Hut – Sveshtnitsi area. The path has an elevation difference from 1740 to 1975 m.a.s.l.; length 3,800 km.; duration on foot: 1.15 hours. Candlesticks are a natural phenomenon murii, the side branches of which rise headlong into the sky, parallel to each other, reminiscent of a candlestick
• The edelweiss trail is a climb along a well-maintained forest road from Betolovoto to Yavorov hut. Leave the cars in the Betelovoto area and continue on foot. It starts from 1230 m.a.s.l. and reaches 1740 m.a.s.l.; length: 3,252 km, duration: 4 hours. Along the route, educational signs point to the Bear Trail, the Eagle’s Nest, the Woodland Anthill, and the Wild Goat Trail. The nice, very well-maintained and hospitable Yavorov lodge is reached imperceptibly and amusingly.
• From Yavorov hut to Yavorova Polyana. Along a gentle incline and a length of 2,100 km, in 30 minutes you reach a refuge hidden in the woods and a romantic corner. The meadow bears the memory of the poet Peyo Yavorov and his poetic inspirations for the homeland, for the times of the Hajdush and his beloved. One deserves to stay longer in this god-touched place and enjoy nature, listen to the yearnings of one’s soul and forget about the sometimes constricting connection with civilization.

Ecopaths from Dobrinishte

• From Dobrinishte to the monastery of St. Panteleimon;
• From Gotse Delchev hut to Mocharata area;
• From Gotse Delchev hut to the six walls along the ski road;
• From Gotse Delchev hut to Ivan Kozarev’s fountain;
• Dendrological route from Gotse Delchev hut to Shirokata Polyana and the Izvorite area.

The eco-trails from Dobrinishte are not marked, but clearly outlined by tourists. We recommend a local guide!

Outdoor classroom

In addition to eco-trails, the Directorate of Pirin National Park has built information points at every mountain hut.

Along the valley of the river Demyanitsa, you can reach the Banderitsa hut on foot. This is the end of the “Demyanishka river tells” eco-trail. Placed signs give information about the richness of the flora and fauna, as well as about the mountain routes in this park area. At the lodge, you can drink aromatic forest tea, eat delicious soft drinks with blueberry jam or something else. At the Vihren and Bezbog huts, the information boards face the surrounding mountain peaks. This way you will orient yourself where Vihren, Kutelo, Dzhamjievi skali and Todorka are; Bezbog, Sivria and Jano.

How to get to the lodges by car

The closest hut to Dobrinishte is Gotse Delchev – 10 km away. distance and 20 min. by car. From there, a veteran chair lift goes to the emblematic Bezbog hut. There is also a beautiful forest road near Bezbog, which we highly recommend.

  7 km. is the distance from Ruskovets to Bansko + 14km. to Vihren hut. The entire distance is covered in about 35 minutes. along the new ring road.

24 km. is the distance from the Ruskovets hotel in the direction of Razlog to the Betolovoto area. From there to the Yavorov hut, the forest road is 12 km. and 30 min. by car.

Enjoy the nature in Bulgaria – it is truly impressive and we must protect and love it!