The 5 best ski tours in Pirin - explore the mountain like a local

There isn’t a more enjoyable way to explore the snowy winter slopes of Pirin than ski touring. Although Bansko, the winter capital of Bulgaria, is nestled in the foothills of Pirin and gets most of the international attention, the mountain nature park generously rewards all explorers who dare to wander away from the resorts. In this guide, you’ll find the best ski tour routes that traverse the entire Pirin nature park. 

Ski touring 101 - not so-boring advice

This probably isn’t your first rodeo, but it’s always good to go over the basics. Ski touring includes walking with your skis uphill, possibly alpine climbing, and freeriding downhill. It is very physically demanding and requires specialist equipment. 

Ski routes vary greatly in their difficulty. The most challenging ones include long passages in untouched powder, away from civilization. Just you, your skis, and snow as far as you can see for hours. You can also climb vertical rocks and glaciers, using alpine equipment to make for an even more exciting ride downhill. 

Overall, ski touring demands a certain level of expertise and confidence. Nevertheless, it is an excellent way for intermediate and advanced skiers to enjoy pristine nature and scenery that looks like a winter fairytale. Beginners, however, should steer clear, or they will be a liability to the entire group. 

Lastly, you should always find a local ski guide to accompany you on your tour. Unknown terrain, untested group capability, and unpredictable weather conditions are a recipe for disaster. Stay on the safe side. With the not-so-boring words of advice out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff.

The 5 best official ski tour routes in Pirin

Shiligarnika area - Vihren Peak

If you’re stepping inside Bansko and want to start the day in the resort, this is the route for you. Get yourself to the Shiligarnika area (1725m) by using whatever means you prefer – bus, car, or lift. From there, you need to hike your way to Banderitsa Chalet (1810m). The distance is about 3.7 kilometers.

When you’re around the Banderitsa chalet, be sure to check out the Baikushev Pine – a tree that’s over 1,300 years old and inspires awe and admiration in explorers. You can also get to Banderitsa by car.

1,300 years old and much larger than the photo suggests

From Banderitsa, you must continue up the mountain road until you reach Vihren Chalet (1950m). This is the last place which you can reach by car. You can also start from here if you wish to save your strength, but you will miss out on the sights on the way. No matter, the wilderness lies ahead.

Vihren Chalet

From Vihren Chalet, you have a few options to storm Vihren peak, but one of the more popular ways to do it with skis is first to go south and get yourself on the main mountain ridge between the peaks of Muratov and Ovinati. From there, you can go straight to Vihren peak. But, of course, all this is easier said than done. To get to the ridge, you can expect between 400-500 meters of elevation, and then Vihren itself, the second highest peak in Bulgaria, is 2914m tall.

Muratov Peak (2669m)

Ovinati Peak (2635m)

Vihren Peak (2914)

It’s a long walk up, but you’ll forget about it once you’re skiing down. The whole tour time will depend on your skill and group size, but you can estimate it will be at least 6-8 hours.

Vihren Chalet - Yane Sandanski Chalet

An ideal way to continue your tour from Vihren Chalet is to take the route to Yane Sandanski Chalet. The roughly six-hour journey will take you through the heart of the Pirin nature park. The first stop is the Ovinati peak, as well as the Muratovi and Ovinati lakes that are on the way. From Ovinati, you must follow the ridge between Muratov peak and Donchovi Karauli, then make your way down to Spano Pole hut (2055m) and eventually to the Yane Sandanski Chalet (1230m). 

Muratovo Lake (2230m)

Donchovi Karauli (2649m) after heavy snowfall

Spano Pole (2055m) – not a potentially life-saving haven in the wilderness

Chalet Yane Sandanski (1230m) – a luxurious resting place after a hero’s journey

Todorka Peak - Vihren Chalet

The next hike is again in the vicinity of Vihren Chalet. This time after going south, you can go East and climb the Small Todorka peak. You have two options – ski down to Demyanitsa hut or continue up to Todorka peak. Note that the hike is about 6 kilometers and features almost 700 meters of elevation from Vihren Chalet to Todorka. The way up is dotted with the beautiful Banderishki lakes and Todorka lakes. If you get to the top of Todorka, you can ski back to the Vihren Chalet.

One of the frozen Banderishki lakes (2200m)

Malka (Small but not that small) Todorka Peak (2712m) 

Todorka Peak – (2746m)

Demyanitsa Chalet (1895m)

Bezbog (Without God) Chalet - Bansko Town

If you find yourself to be in the eastern part of the Pirin nature park or the town of Dobrinishte, you can take the lift up to Bezbog Chalet (2240m). In summer, it is next to the beautiful Bezbog lake. In winter, however, it is under 2 meters of snow, and the scenery around the chalet is charmingly arctic. 

You can hike up from the hut to Bezbog peak (2645m), which takes about an hour, and then hike for an hour to get to the Big Polezhan (2850m). Then it would be best if you made your way north to Demyanitsa hut. Hiking takes 4 hours; however, after Small Polezhan (2820m), you will be skiing down instead. From Demyanitsa, you can ski all the way down to Bansko! It’s the ride of a lifetime!

One of the frozen Banderishki lakes (2200m)

Malka (Small but not that small) Todorka Peak  (2712m)

Todorka Peak – (2746m)

Demyanitsa Chalet (1895m)

Yavorov Chalet - Vihren Chalet

This hike, starting from the northern part of Pirin and moving south, is one of the most beautiful but also most difficult and physically demanding hikes in the entire park. The total distance is 12 kilometers and can include an elevation of up to 1159 meters. Therefore, it’s not for the faint of heart. The trip starts from Yavorov Chalet and goes through 8 different peaks until it finally storms Vihren from the north (harder side) and then finishes off at Vihren Chalet. The entire path is part of the international E4 route, Number 1, with a red marking.

The path

Watch. Your. Step.

Storming Vihren from the North

We won’t spoil the view from the top, but you’ll feel like a king of the world. (If the weather is clear). But then you can ski down all the way to Vihren Chalet, where you can kick back for a well-deserved rest.

Final words

Enjoy all the sights, climb all the peaks, and ski all the slopes, but never forget that you are in a UNESCO-registered nature park. As such, certain rules always apply. Even Bear Grylls got fined for eating a frog in Rila mountain, so the Bulgarians don’t mess around! Hiking Pirin is also a spiritual experience, which should remain pristine for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about having a ski holiday in Bansko.

Keep Distance!

Stay on the Track!

Trash Forbidden!

Let them be!

Keep dogs on a leash!

Camping forbidden!

Noise forbidden!

Attention, dangerous weather!

Good equipment is mandatory!

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Lacho Shoykov

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