The route to the peak starts from the Vihren Hut, located 40 minutes drive from the town of Bansko. The direction of the trail is marked with a yellow sign “Vr. Vihren" and a road sign with three stripes "white-red-white". Markers are located along the entire route. The round trip takes about 7 hours. Travel time is individual for everyone and depends on sports training, age and general condition. This article will be useful for those who are planning to climb Vihren Peak for the first time.
Road from Bansko to Vihren hut, route to Vihren peak
Parking
You can park your car near the Vicheren hut for free. However, “during the season” there is not enough space for everyone and tourists are forced to park on the side of the road. It is worth mentioning that in July-August the police block the passage to the Vihren hut from 9 am to 16 pm, due to the maximum number of cars. It is important to have time to get to the hut before the road closes.
You will need:
- Hat. Most of the way you will be in an open space in direct sunlight.
- Sunglasses. Parts of the body protruding from under clothing should first be coated with sun cream, especially the neck and shoulders.
- Comfortable sneakers or shoes for mountain treks. High boots can protect the ankle from dislocation (especially when descending). Regular shoes will be pretty worn out after a hike.
- Bottle. There are several places along the route where you can get cold mountain water.
- Warm clothes. It is cold and windy at the top of Vihren even in summer, you will need a windproof jacket. If you want to stay at the peak longer, take a hat and gloves.
The route is marked on roadside stones with a “white-red-white” mark.
- Walking poles. They will be useful mainly when descending; during the ascent, most likely, you will have to carry them folded. Your hands should remain free, as you will occasionally need to lean/climb on rocks.
- Blanket for rest. The route is long, you will have to make rest stops, they will be more comfortable with a blanket.
- A small snack. You shouldn’t have a big breakfast before going on a hike, it’s better to take food with you.
- Alcohol. In Bulgaria, it is customary to take a little brandy with you to the mountains, the main thing is to observe moderation. If your drinks get hot during your hike, you can cool them down in a mountain stream.
- Camera. Taking a photo at the top near the stone pyramid is a tradition; in addition, the landscapes along the route are very picturesque.
- Medicines for first aid: preparation for treating wounds (iodine, miramistin), bandage, plaster for calluses.
- Flag or other mark of the summit to be placed on the peak pyramid.
Wild mountain goats (divi kozi in Bulgarian) are curious but harmless
Route
In the summer, the road to Vihren Peak is trampled by tourists and is clearly visible, however, it is important to follow the signs strictly (three stripes: white-red-white). Overall, the path is quite long and difficult. The first third of the route is a narrow sandy path surrounded by pine and juniper trees, then the path passes in the open air over stones. Constant movement uphill for several hours is very exhausting, however, travelers find the strength to greet oncoming groups. This is a tradition - everyone greets: Bulgarians, Russians, Serbs, Macedonians, English, and even the French, each in their own language. You can also see mountain goats along the route. They stay close to the hiking trail and happily eat cucumbers and bread.
The route is picturesque, the higher you climb, the more interesting the landscape becomes. At first, only the receding Vihren hut and the northern slope of Todorka are visible, then the Rila Mountains and Bansko appear in the distance. Next you can see Lake Okoto and the steep slopes of Vihren. After climbing the pass, a magical view of the valley and Lake Vlahino opens up. On the shore there is an inscription made of stones “Pirin ❤”.
The peak
The final part of the path, the most difficult, is an almost vertical climb to the top of Vihren. From below, the distance appears smaller than it actually is. The path is less trodden, stones crumble underfoot, the view down is frightening and mesmerizing. Even on a hot sunny day it is windy and cold at the peak. Hence the name “Vihren” (whirlwind). It's time to change your hat to a beanie. At the top of the mountain there is a pyramid of stones in a metal structure; here you can hang a flag or take a photo as a souvenir. The cosmic tranquility of this place is amazing (especially at the beginning or end of the season, when there are few tourists).
The view from Vihren peak is absolutely magnificent
Descent
Most injuries occur during the descent, when there is little strength left, so be especially careful on the way back. Upon return, you can have a simple Bulgarian meal in the Vihren hut. The prices are not high, and the choice is not large, but after a long journey, any food will seem very tasty. An overnight stay in the Vihren hut costs 15 levs. The fatigue from getting up will most likely be felt even the next day. Hot mineral springs will help you relax and recuperate; read about it here.
Why you should go without a guide
There is a practice of hiking to Vihren Peak with a guide “vodach” (Bulgarian), according to the author, in the summer there is no need for this and here’s why:
- Way markers are clearly visible along the entire route
- You can go at your own pace
- You will be able to make stops, rests, picnics, photo sessions whenever it is convenient for you
- A large number of people on the route will help you find your way if necessary
- Save ~100-200 levs.
Additional
In the summer, a daily minibus runs from the Bansko bus station (autogara in Bulgaria) to the Vihren hut. The fare is 8 levs, while hiring a taxi costs ~40 levs.
| Route | Time |
| The minibus follows the route daily from July 1 to September 15 | |
| from Bansko – Vihren hut | 08:30 |
| from Khizhi Vihren - Bansko | 09:30 |
| from Bansko – Vihren hut | 14:20 |
| from Khizha Vihren - Bansko | 15:00 |
| from Bansko – Vihren hut | 17:00 |
| from Khizha Vihren - Bansko | 18:00 |
Bus schedule Bansko - Vihren hut
Before departure, you can take out insurance against accidents in the mountains (Planinska insurance in Bulgaria) at any Bulgarian insurance agency or online. One day of insurance costs about 4 leva with coverage up to 5000 leva (including the cost of calling a helicopter in an emergency). There are other options for climbing Vihren Peak, for example along the northern wall through the Kazan barrier. The route described in this article is the easiest and safest.
Have you already been to Vihren Peak? Write how it was.