Pirin National Park
Pirin National Park is located in the south-west of Bulgaria, the name of the park is associated with the name of the Slavic God of thunder and lightning Perun. The park is a unique nature reserve, and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983.
General information
Until 1962, this territory was called Vikhren National Park, which covered an area of just over 60 km2. In 1974, the park was expanded and its name was changed to Pirin Park. By 1979, the size of the territory reached over 400 km2.
The mountain range is 75 kilometers long, and its highest point is 2914 m. It is located on Mount Vikhren, the second highest mountain in Bulgaria. More than 40 peaks of the mountain range rise to a height of over 2,600 m. The forests growing at the foot of the Pirin Mountains are considered unique. Some of the trees have been growing here for 300 years, among them there is a huge Baltic pine, more than 1300 years old. It is considered one of the oldest trees on the planet.
There are many animals, birds, and fish in the park. Most of the park is inaccessible to humans, so wildlife here feels like a full-fledged mistress.
Pirin Park Features
There are two nature reserves in the park. Bayuvi-Dupki — Jinjiritsa is the oldest nature reserve in Bulgaria, was created to protect the unique species of pine and other plants found on these lands. Many mosses here are listed in the Red Book. The animals that live here are also protected by the authorities: brown bears, chamois, foxes, martens and many others.
The Yulen Nature Reserve was established in 1994 to monitor the growth of Alpine plants without human influence and to protect the animals living here. There are many streams on the territory of the reserve, they flow out of high-altitude lakes and form small rivers when they merge. In the vicinity of the reserve there are ruins of an ancient fortress, according to archaeologists, it has remained here since the time of the Roman Empire.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the park has marked trails with routes of varying difficulty. For a comfortable stay, several recreation centers have been built and parking lots are equipped for overnight stays along the route. But to coordinate the hike, you will need to contact the park management.
Pirin National Park is very popular among winter sports enthusiasts. The most favorable period is considered to be from the beginning of February to the end of March. There is still snow in the mountains, but the air temperature is already above zero. The city of Bansko is considered one of the best resorts in this region, there are many hotels and hotels for every taste.
Pirin National Park is a wonderful combination of caring for nature and comfortable rest for humans. Here you can spend a weekend with your family or spend a full vacation full of active entertainment.
