Musala peak

Highest mountain peak in the Balkans is Musala, standindg on 2 925 meters above the sea level (9 596 ft). This peak is located on mountain Rila, an area of 2 629 square km and extends for about 80 km between the Thracian Plain at central Bulgaria and the Struma River.

Name Musala came from Arabic word "near God" or "place for Prayer". This area was under Ottomans in Middle age, so the name came from this period.

Musala is situated within the Rila National Park. It is noted for its rich flora, including species such as Macedonian Pine and Bulgarian Fir in the forests on its middle slopes, and fauna; it is one of the easiest places in Europe to see the wallcreeper. 

Musala peak

Climate 

Average annual temperature on this area is -2.5°C and it's the coldest place in the entire Balkans. Peak Musala has an alpine climate with cold, long winters and short, cool summers. Usually, through winter, the temperatures don't exceed the freezing point for months. Snow cover lasts for about 8–9 months. Through the summer, temperatures rarely go above 14-15°C.


Climbing

Musala peak location in Balkans

To climb the Musala peak is an extraordinary mountain experience, enjoyment in devine beauty of impressive massif of Mt Rila and it's highest peaks as are Irecek (2852 m), Malka Musala (2902 m) and of course, Musala (2925 m), the highest peak of Mt Rila. Summit view from Musala summit is very impressive. You can see all highest peaks of large massif of Rila and highest peaks of Pirin massif and Mt Rodopi. Also, few beautifully Rila Lakes can be seen. 

The average number of Musala's visitors exceeds 50,000 people annually. The area also boasts an Alpine meteorological observatory and an Ecological observatory called "Musala", which is placed on the summit of Musala (2925 m). 

Summit view from Musala (credits: vvujisic)

The easiest climb is by a straightforward footpath from the ski resort of Borovets, 10 km to the north; there is also a Gondola lift from Borovets to the Yastrebets peak at 2,369 m altitude and several mountain chalets. From Yastrebets it is a one hour hike to the Musala chalet (2,430m), from which the ascent to the summit takes another 1.5 to 2 hours via the shelter Everest, the highest mountain hut in Bulgaria. At the summit there is a weather station.

For more informations about climbing Musala we suggest link summitpost.org.

Sunrise on Musala (credits: Pavelpronin.com & flckr)