The second highest mountain in Bulgaria and the highest mountain of the Pyrin Mountains is in short the destination of our trip, Mount Vihren.
Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.)
We leave our accommodation around 7:30 and walk through the town to the cable car. Just before the station, there is a moment of suspense as to whether the cable car is running, and after we see the blue cabs shimmering in the distance, it is clear that we are not going uphill on foot today and we go straight to the ticket office. The price for a one-way ride is more on the level of the Austrian Alps than a Bulgarian resort. The price and the existence of the shuttle (which we didn't know about yet) are the reasons why not many people use the cable car in the summer season. I was surprised that it's even worth it for them.
Bansko - lower station of the cable car
Upper station of the cable car
The cable car ride up took about 20 minutes. After that, it was all in our legs. The initial stretch to the Vihren hut is 4 km with a slight climb. Halfway through this initial route we still come across the Banderica hut, which is either the starting or finishing point of the circuit through Vihren. At this hut there is a source of drinking water and kadibudka toilets.
Cottage Banderica
After an hour of lukewarm walking we are at the Vihrén hut. This is the last place where you can refresh yourself or change your mind in time and take the marshrutka down, because this hut is the final one.
Cottage Vihren and surroundings
We are not afraid of this and we start up the killer climb, which, except for one short intermediate section, ends at the top of Vihren. After two thirds of the endless climb we reach a saddle with a nice view of the surrounding peaks and Lake Vlachino.
Cottage Vihren
Lake Vlachino
Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.)
We take a short break and then continue to the top of the mountain made of white limestone and marble. I reach the top first after two and a half hours of walking. Within ten minutes, the rest of us arrive. Unfortunately, the summit is under a cloud, so the views are zero. Only for a short time a window opens up with a view of Bansko.
Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.)
Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.) - View of Bansko
Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.)
We take a billion photos and leave Vihren on its northern part, where the route is very rocky and full of chains. In the Premkata saddle (2610 m) between Vihren and Mount Kutelo 1 we encounter chamois for the first time, which we will meet many more along the way.
Descent from Vihren (2914 m.a.s.l.) to the Premkata saddle (2610 m.a.s.l.)
Premkata saddle (2610 m.a.s.l.)
Premkata saddle (2610 m.a.s.l.) and Kutelo 1 mountain
View from the saddle
We continue down this saddle to the trail that leads us to the Banderica hut. Here we replenish the scarce drinking water, of which we had relatively little due to the difficulty and the heat, and continue to the cable car and then walk along the slope to Bansko. It didn't seem like it from the cable car in the morning, but it is still a long way to Bansko, 7 km to be exact, i.e. an hour and a half of endless and boring walking. That's why we are all glad to see the first hotels in Bansko before 6 o'clock.
Cottage Banderica
Descent down the slope to Bansko
On the way to the hostel we will go to the shop to replenish our supplies and then to the room and to the showers. Before 8:00 we have dinner in the city centre, when we get back on our feet with a Chopped salad, Tarator and a hearty Kavarma.
Kavarma
However, we are not planning any big party today and after a hearty dinner we are moving to our beds, because tomorrow we have another difficult hike ahead of us.
Useful links:
Ski Bansko website
Guest room Vachin
Cottage Vihren and surroundings
