Bulgarian Landscape - Rila Mountains
Rila Mountains 
The Rila Mountains are probably the best known and most frequented mountain range in Bulgaria. They posses a rugged alpine beauty, with rocky ridges, bristling peaks, plunging precipices and a host of sparkling lakes and streams. The Rila Mountains are thought to derive their name from an ancient Thracian word meaning “rich in water”. It is certainly a fitting title, for the Rila Mountains form one of the chief water catchment areas in the whole of the Balkan Peninsula. The Mesta and Maritsa, two of the greatest rivers in the region, have their source in the Rila Mountains, whilst a third, the Struma, receives many of its major tributaries from the range. |
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Rila Mountains Topography 
The Rila Mountains lie in the south-western part of Bulgaria. Measuring 83 kilometres from east to west, and 52 kilometres from north to south, the Rila Mountains cover a total area of 2629 square kilometres. The average altitude of the Rila Mountains is 1487 metres, but 140 peaks top 2000 metres. Furthermore, the Rila Mountains can lay claim to the highest peak in the entire Balkan Peninsula. Mount Musala (2925 metres) pips Mount Mitikas in Greece’s Olympos range to the honour by a mere eight metres. Topographically, the Rila Mounains can be subdivided into four parts: the Central Rila, Eastern Rila, South-western Rila and North-western Rila. |
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Rila Mountains Geology 
The Rila Mountains are part of the so-called Rilo-Rodopi Massif, the oldest land mass in the region. Predominantly formed of ancient crystalline schists, interspersed with granites and gneiss, the Rila Mountains were first raised during the Palaeozoic era. Later, during the Tertiary Period, the Rila Mountains were uplifted many more times. However, it is the more recent events of the Quaternary Period that have had the most dramatic impact on the range. The Rila Mountains’ characteristic alpine form, with their jagged peaks, scooped out cirques, deep trough valleys and rugged moraines are all the result of Pleistocene glaciations. Perhaps the most striking legacy of this period is the large number of glacial lakes that lie scattered throughout the heart of the Rila Mountains. Affectionately referred to as “The Blue Eyes of the Rila”, they are thought to number 189 in total. Lednoto Ezero (The Ice Lake) at the northern foot of Mount Musala, is the highest-lying glacial lake in the whole of the Balkan Peninsula. |
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Rila Mountains Weather 
The Rila Mountains are subject to the influence of moderate continental and transitional continental climates. However, being the highest mountain range in the Balkan Peninsula, the actual micro-climate experience in any given place is considerable modified by altitude. The average annual temperature for Rila Mountains as a whole is moderate, but not surprisingly, Mount Musala is the coldest place in the entire country. Even in the height of summer, the average temperature on the summit is usually only a few degrees above freezing. July and August are the warmest months, with January and February being the coldest. In general, precipitation in the Rila Mountains is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, but November and June tend to be the wettest months, and September and August the driest. On Mount Musala, up to 80% of the annual precipitation falls as snow, giving a covering that lasts for an average of 250 days each year. Some small snow pockets can last throughout the year, but generally the Rila Mountains are snow free from mid-July to mid-September. Winds can be strong in the Rila Mountains during all seasons. Cold north-westerlies or north-easterlies are most typical, but in autumn and winter, gales often blow up from the west or south-west. On the whole, August and early September are likely to have the most settled weather and are best for walking in the Rila Mountains. |
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Rila Mountains Vegetation 
The Rila Mountains have an extremely varied flora with a good mix
of typical Central European, sub-Mediterranean and Balkan plants,
as well as several rare endemic species. The lowest parts of the Rila
Mountains typically have forests of oak (Quercus spp.) and
hornbeams (Carpinus spp.). Higher up, between 1300 and 1600
metres beech (Fagus sylvatica) becomes dominant, in places
mixed with silver fir (Abies alba), silver birch (Betula
pendula) and aspen (Populus tremula). Above this lies
the coniferous zone with forests of Norway spruce (Picea abies),
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Macedonian pine (Pinus
peuce). Higher still, above 2000 metres, you enter the sub-alpine
zone, the world of high, peaty pastures and stony ridgeback meadows.
It is here that some of the Rila Mountains, most beautiful alpine
flowers are found. |
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Rila Mountains Fauna 
Not surprisingly, given the nature of the terrain and vegetation,
the Rila Mountains have a very rich fauna. The remoteness and inaccessibility
of some parts of the Rila Mountains means that large carnivores and
other elusive mammals such as brown bear (Ursus arctos),
wolf (Canis lupus), wild cat (Felis silvestris),
Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) and red deer
(Cervus elaphus) all survive here in reasonably good numbers.
There are also many interesting birds. Hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia),
capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus),
black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and nutcracker (Nucifraga
caryocatactes) can all be found in the extensive forests, whilst
the rocky alpine pastures have Balkan horned lark (Eremophila
alpestris balcanica), rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis),
alpine accentor (Prunella collaris) and water pipit (Anthus
spinoletta). Cliffs and precipices hold wallcreeper (Tichodroma
muraria) and alpine chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus). Raptors
to look out for in the Rila Mountains include golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and
booted eagle (Hieraeetus pennatus). |
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Rila Mountains Holidays 
The scope for walking and wildlife holidays in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains is immense.
Balkan Trek organises a number of hotel-based walking and wildlife holidays in the Rila Mountains,
offering something for every taste and ability.
Alternatively, for more adventurous naturalists and
independent walkers, the authorative new guidebook 'Walking in Bulgaria's National Parks' by Balkan Trek's
managing director Julian Parry, provides a detailed description of the best walking and wildlife watching opportunities
in the Rila Mountains.Walking & Wildlife Holiday in the 'Rila' & 'Pirin' National Parks Walking & Wildlife Holiday in the 'Central Balkan' & 'Rila' National Parks Butterfly Holiday in the Bulgarian Mountains Wildflower Holiday in the Bulgarian Mountains |