Mount Vihren, at 2,914 meters, is the second-highest peak in Bulgaria and the highest in the Pirin Mountains. The route along the Djamdjiev Ridge is considered the most difficult and exposed of the non-technical tourist routes that can be completed without using protection.
On Saturday morning we gathered at our usual meeting place. We were only five people – me, Achkata, Mitaka, Sofia, and Sara. We had not fully decided that we would climb Vihren, but there were already ideas in that direction, which was probably why we were fewer than usual. After a short discussion about where to go, we ultimately decided to ascend Vihren via the more demanding Djamdjiev Ridge.
We started late and were concerned whether we would be able to drive past Banderitsa Hut. The barrier was gone, and after the recent repairs the road is now two lanes all the way to Vihren Hut, with widened areas for parking. There is a guardrail only shortly before the hut, so we found many cars parked along the road, taking up half of one lane. Fortunately, we found a gap and managed to park not far from the hut.
Around 10:00 we set off from Vihren Hut to climb the peak. Sara, who is from Canada, was uneasy about crossing the Djamdjiev Ridge, so she chose to ascend via the classic route through Kabata. At the point where the trails split, we gave her detailed instructions, but there were plenty of people heading up the standard path, so there was no chance of her getting lost. We agreed to meet at the summit around 13:30.
We took the trail leading toward Kazanite, from which a smaller path branches off toward the Djamdjiev Rocks. Overall, it is a pleasant trail that gradually gains elevation. The only unusual thing compared to previous times was that one of my plastic bottles fell out of my backpack and shattered on a rock as if it were glass—very strange. Fortunately, I had enough water, so this incident did not interfere with what was shaping up to be a fantastic day.
Mitaka and I were a bit faster, so at the turnoff for the ridge we waited for Achkata and Sofi to catch up, and together we headed upward along the path. We reached the first rock section and began climbing. Near the end of this first rock we slightly bypassed the final part, as it is quite risky without protection (I have yet to see anyone not avoid that exact spot).
Mitaka wisely decided not to continue directly over the rocks, so I showed him where to bypass them. There is a visible trail that runs to the left of the rocks and later climbs back up to the ridge. It is safe and much faster than scrambling over the rocks. Achkata and Sofi also considered bypassing, but in the end chose the more adventurous option. After showing Mitaka where to rejoin the ridge, I returned to climb the Djamdjiev Rocks myself.
Overall, the rock section is not extremely difficult. There is only one slightly more challenging passage, but there is a fixed piton there that can be used as a foothold. Sofi, being shorter, had some difficulty at this point, but with a bit of determination managed to pass it. Around there I overtook them and started photographing them from above as they climbed.
We had already passed the harder section, and Mitaka was waiting for us up on the ridge. Gradually scrambling upward, we reached him. From there to the summit of Vihren there is nothing complicated, and elevation is gained relatively quickly. We made a short detour to show them a cave located about ten meters off the trail.
After that we continued without a break and reached the summit. Along the ridge we saw quite a few edelweiss, though they were not yet fully in bloom, unlike those in the Balkan Mountains, which grow at lower elevations.
This time we climbed Mount Vihren in 3 hours and 30 minutes. We arrived just in time to meet Sara, who had actually arrived about ten minutes earlier. Shortly before the summit we were caught up by another hiker, Bozhidar, who turned out to also be from Blagoevgrad. He joined us for the group photo at the top.
After taking plenty of photos, we sat down for a lunch break and a bite to eat to recharge for the descent. We decided to go down via the standard route through Kabata. The descent from the summit to Kabata is, to put it mildly, tedious because of the loose rocks. We descended fairly quickly, and at the saddle we were greeted by a herd of wild goats that have become so accustomed to people that they do not run away and allow close photographs. There were also baby goats. On the rocks along the trail we spotted a few more edelweiss that had not yet bloomed.
Where the trail passes above the large Vlahini Lake, we stopped to wait for the others, especially Sara, who was descending a bit more slowly. After a short rest, we continued downward and reached Vihren Hut almost without stopping. We were eager to enjoy a cold beer at the hut.
Just as we sat down for a beer, we saw other friends from Blagoevgrad arriving after their hike and invited them to join us. That day they had climbed Sinanitsa Peak. So both groups gathered around one table to talk and discuss future hikes.
Our group decided we needed a bit of relaxation, so we got into the car and drove to the hot mineral pool before the village of Eleshnitsa. There we alternated between soaking in the hot mineral water and dipping into the colder Mesta River. After about an hour of relaxation, it was time to head back to Blagoevgrad, arriving just before it became completely dark.
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