From Borovets to Musala Hut

This hike was 3 weeks ago and I think that that was the last sunny day in the mountains. Since then it is raining there every day! Which means - no long hikes for now. This trail is one of these that I feel like home. I've hiked there many many times, usually just with the idea to add some more activity in my routine, and it was never supposed to be a pleasant hike. It can be defined more as a purely masochistic hike, unless you are an old addicted mountaineer, who just needs more to feel the mountain. I've shared before about my 69 years old mountain friend, he goes to this same hike - to Musala peak, every winter 40-50 times, and he has been doing this for 51 years. No joke! And he says that it was different every time.

It's like that with the mountains, the more you go there, the more you need it.

I did't hike the whole trail, neither I had the intention to, because I didn't have enough time, my goal was Musala hut, which is near one of the several Musala lakes, located under the peak. It is actually our highest peak - 2925m.

And why I called it a masochistic hike - because it starts from..1400m. There is also the option to use a cabin lift, which can take you to 2400m, but I see it as cheating. It is far more challenging to do it without the lift and after that you are not going to want to see a mountain for at least a week (if you are a normal person; like I said there are also people who don't mind to go there every day). But also there is this strange feeling of blissful emptiness afterwards, which I guess is exactly what people seek to get of a hike and this one is perfect for that. I went to the peak (through this trail) for the last time long time ago - 01.01.2017, it was great way to spent the first day of the year. So I kind of missed it, but to be honest even though I wanted to go, I didn't feel like hiking all day. So this was like warming up, although this is the hard part for me, from Musala Hut to the peak is easier, because of the amazing views :).

The first part of it is 10km through Musala Pathway, that takes you 1000m higher and it is really really great - for the winter, if you are descending with ski, it is just perfect. For going upwards, by feet..oh..it is endless, monotone and painful . That's how I used to see it, probably because the last 5 times I was there with the heavy winter shoes, backpack, poles, etc. This time though - carrying almost nothing, I didn't even felt it. I even enjoyed it, because 2/3 of it is through a shadowy forest, and the sun was just too much that day.

In the winter this pathway is absolutely gorgeous for skiing. 12 km light descending, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful nature

My goal - Musala Hut was close(no more than 30-40 minutes) after the 10km on Musala pathway.

That was the interesting part of my hike, where for the first time I experienced sinking in mud literally towards my knees! Someone had told me long time ago that it was possible there, but I thought it was just a legend. It wasn't. It was quite unpleasant, the good thing was that I was barefoot, so cleaning the mud was easy, as there were little rivers everywhere.

Soon after that I was near the hut. There are several huts there actually.

Almost four decades later, it is still not working. I hope it never will

One of them has been under construction for four decades already, and no one can tell why it is not finished; one is under renovation, and one is working. There was no one else around, so even the construction site couldn't spoil the place at all. I sat there for a while, took a few photos and it was time to go back. Although I was feeling more like going up, it was late and I left already impatient to come back.

Bathing Forbidden

When I passed by the chair lift station this guy joined me

He was probably with some people who were there to maintain the station, because he had a leash. There was a car, but I saw nobody. He was cute, but also annoying, jumping on me all the time and trying to steal my five-toes shoes from my hand. He walked with me more than 5 km! I was already thinking about possible ways to connect with the people from the station, but then he just went back.

Going back I also saw the biggest mushroom ever

I run for a while energized by all the beauty I saw that day and then I had one really unpleasant minute during which I thought my car was stolen, because I couldn't see it because of some bursts. Realizing it was not, was a great relief, and I left Borovets feeling really content, as always after a great mountain day :)

Second part - from the peak to the hut, is coming as soon as it stops raining. According to the forecast - it won't happen in the next ten days.

Musala Peak

And this means- Rila, I Love U

The end of my day was beautiful too

Thank you for stopping by =) !