Near the village of Mechkul, in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains, lie the megalithic sanctuary of St. Mina and the Mechkul Waterfall – the highest waterfall in Pirin, with a height of 51 meters. These are enchanting places that remain relatively unknown to mass tourism.
Three years ago we tried to find the Mechkul Waterfall, but we took the wrong direction and failed to reach it. At that time it was not yet marked on the maps. This time, however, we were determined to reach the waterfall and see one of Pirin’s natural wonders.
Just like three years ago, we set off toward the village of Mechkul by bicycle. The total distance in both directions is about 75 km with nearly 800 meters of elevation gain. Our group was split into two: some of us left Blagoevgrad a bit earlier, while the others took the train to Cherniche, thus avoiding the freezing morning temperatures. A few more friends who had arrived by car from Petrich were also waiting for us there.
We arrived a little early and waited for the train. Around the railway station in Cherniche we saw many storks – something we hadn’t yet seen in Blagoevgrad this spring. It was time to take off the martenitsi. When the train arrived, we helped Achkata, Sofi, and Mihaela unload their bicycles, and then we headed toward Brezhani, where we planned to take a break.
The ride from Blagoevgrad to Cherniche had been quite chilly, but it was already close to 11 a.m., and the weather quickly began to warm up. As we climbed toward Brezhani, we soon started sweating on the uphill sections.
After our break in Brezhani, it was time for another climb – first toward Rakitna, then a descent followed by another climb through the area of the open mine until we reached the highest point just before the village of Mechkul. The road from Brezhani to Mechkul is in very poor condition – broken asphalt with plenty of potholes and sand. Just before the village there is a turnoff toward the Aminа area and the St. Mina sanctuary and chapel – about 2 km along a sandy dirt road that passes by a cattle farm.
The Aminа Area, the Ancient Megalithic Rock Complex, and the Chapel of St. Mina
The Aminа area is located near the village of Mechkul, directly above the Kresna Gorge. From the rock complex there is a beautiful view of the gorge and the Struma River flowing far below.
According to archaeologists, there was a settlement here more than 7,000 years ago. In later times the area was inhabited by the Thracian tribe known as the Medi. Besides the name Amina, locals also call the place the Stone City.
There are many rock formations scattered around the area. Some of them have specific local names, although I do not yet know which rock is called what – something I will definitely try to find out during a future visit.
After reaching the chapel of St. Mina, we took a short walk around the nearby rock formations and took a few photos. Then it was time to eat, so we sat down at the tables and benches in front of the chapel. We needed to refuel before heading out in search of the Mechkul Waterfall.
Mechkul Waterfall
The Mechkul Waterfall has been known to the local people for many years, but it has only started gaining wider popularity in the past few years. In 2023, a group of geodesists measured the waterfall at 51.3 meters, officially making it the highest waterfall in the Pirin Mountains.
Why was it “discovered” and measured so late? Simply because it lies in a difficult-to-reach location. There is essentially no clear trail, and the terrain is steep and overgrown, with numerous rocky ledges and cliffs. Nevertheless, it is still possible to reach it.
This time we also wandered around a bit, but at least the waterfall is now marked on the maps. That helped us orient ourselves as we pushed through the bushes and slowly descended, winding our way between rocks and dense vegetation.
Eventually we reached a small rocky terrace from which we could see the upper part of the waterfall quite well. A few of us carefully descended a little further down to get a better view. The slope there is steep, sandy, and narrow, with a sheer drop of dozens of meters on one side.
The waterfall itself is magnificent. At this time of year it is especially powerful and full of water. Watching the water plunge from a height of more than 50 meters and disappear among the rocks below while you stand on the edge of the cliff is an intense and unforgettable experience.
On the way back up toward the chapel we finally found something resembling a trail, which was much easier to follow. If we had found it on the way down, it would have saved us quite a bit of bushwhacking.
How to Reach Mechkul Waterfall from the St. Mina Chapel
Since there is no trail marking and no clearly defined path, I will try to describe how to reach the waterfall.
Stand on the meadow in front of the chapel and face the chapel itself. On your left you will see a fountain. Walk slightly left and downhill past the covered tables and benches. After passing them, continue slightly left and downward as you enter a small pine grove with grass.
Around the middle of the grove the path turns right and continues downhill. From there keep heading slightly to the right. Your landmark will be a group of solitary upright rocks – the faint path passes next to them and then continues down toward a more open area.
In general, you descend fairly quickly while trying to stay close to the edge of a gently defined ridge. At some point you may move slightly to the right side of the ridge and continue descending until you reach a rocky terrace with a view of the waterfall.
Hopefully in the near future a proper trail will be created and marked, making access easier for visitors who want to see the highest waterfall in the Pirin Mountains.
Returning to Blagoevgrad
As I mentioned earlier, our group grew larger in Cherniche, and by the time we reached the chapel we were 18 cyclists in total. Time was passing quickly, and it was time to head back.
The descent to Brezhani was quite rough, and I had apparently overheated my brakes. Instead of giving both myself and the bike a short rest, I continued riding from Brezhani toward the village of Poleto. A little above the village, the front brake suddenly made a loud snap and began screeching – I had overloaded it, and the plate holding the brake pads had broken.
We had to make a quick repair. We removed the pads from the front brake because they were blocking the rotation of the front wheel. From there to Poleto and Cherniche I descended slowly and carefully using only the rear brake.
Fortunately, from that point to Blagoevgrad the terrain is mostly a gentle and gradual climb, so I did not need the brake and managed to ride back under my own power. In fact, only four of us cycled all the way back to Blagoevgrad – the others preferred to take the train.
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