The noise of silence, the sweetest fatigue, the favorite pain in the legs, the unknown clean air, the inimitable mountain coolness, the view from the top and the satisfaction of the completed challenge.
These are some of the sensations that only the mountains can bring us and if you have experienced them once, you probably want to experience them again.
A walk in the mountains brings much more than just movement – it is a great way to be alone with yourself and your thoughts, to admire the cleanliness and beauty with your partner, to share cheerful moments with friends, to recharge the batteries.
Bulgaria is a place steeped in unearthly beauty, and it certainly boasts an abundance of mountains that simply take the air out of our lungs with their majesty.
The history of Pirin National Park
One of the pearls in the crown of the Bulgarian relief is the Pirin mountain, where the Pirin National Park is located – the embodiment of the term “earthly paradise”.
“Pirin” National Park was created in 1962 and was founded under the name “Vihren” National Park. In the first years of its foundation, it covered only 6,212 ha, and over the years its area increased several times and today it reaches 40,000 ha.
What plants and animals are found here?
This park is of extremely high biological and natural importance. Nearly 160 species of birds flutter here – about 40% of the species in Bulgaria. 57 of them are in the Red Book of Bulgaria.
Nearly 180 species of medicinal plants, over 300 species of mosses and nearly 200 species of algae have been described. Over 1000 species of higher plants grow here, which is a huge amount for a national park. Tree species endemic to Bulgaria are found here, and a large part of the forest is made up of trees over 140 years old.
The fauna is also represented by numerous species. Invertebrates alone are nearly 3,000 species and subspecies (snails, millipedes, spiders, etc.)
It is interesting that of them 300 species are rare, 228 species are endemic; relicts (Organisms from previous geological epochs, preserved in an almost unchanged form) -176 species and 18 species that are European or global endangered species.
The spiny-tailed turtle and the tree frog, which are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, also roam here.
This biological diversity is recognized and in order to preserve and maintain its normal development, in 1983 the park was placed under the protection of UNESCO.
The logo of the park is a silhouette of an eagle standing proudly above a fir tree. The park is divided into 6 park sections – Vihren (the most urbanized); Godless; Three rivers; Sinanitsa (located on the areas of three municipalities – Kresna, Simitli and Strumyani); Kamenitsa; Bayuvi dupki (Bayuvi dupki – Djinjiritsa reserve is located here, which is included in the UNESCO list of biosphere reserves)
Why is it worth visiting Pirin National Park?
The park is open to visitors to admire the mountain’s riches, but certain rules must be observed – it is absolutely forbidden to tear plants, cut down, kill animals, fish and pollute!
As a major nature tourist destination, lodges, centers and nooks and crannies have been built around to make it even more attractive to tourists. There are 4 shelters and 8 huts; A visitor information center of Pirin National Park has been built in the town of Bansko. Here, tourists can take advantage of interactive exhibitions, advice and information from specialists, training for adults and children, a multimedia and projection room and others.
If you have decided to visit this amazing natural jewel during your stay with us, you can read more about the hiking routes here: https://ruskovets.com/en/activities/mountain-hiking/
