Banderitsa Lakes
Бъндеришки езера
A chain of glacial lakes above Vihren Hut, with Fish Lake, Eye Lake, Long Lake and more than a dozen other alpine lakes strung along the valley.
Some 16 glacial lakes lie upstream in the Banderitsa Valley, including Muratovo Lake, Fish Lake, the 'Eye Lake', Long Lake and Frog Lake, their water shifting from emerald green to deep blue. From Vihren Hut, follow the blue-marked trail uphill through the lakes to Todorin Pass in about 2.5 to 3 hours. The gradient is moderate, making it Pirin's most popular day hike. You can continue over the ridge to Todorka Peak and descend past the ski area. The nearest, Muratovo Lake, is only about 20 minutes from the hut, so it suits less fit hikers. The map pin marks the Banderitsa Hut at the valley entrance, and the lakes lie above it.
Opening hours
All day in summer
Nearby sights
- Pirin National Park – Vihren Hut
- Baikushev's Pine
- Vihren Peak
- Popovo Lake
- Bezbog Lake
- Bansko Ski Resort
- Holy Trinity Church
- Velyanova House