National Park “Rila”

National Park “Rila” is the largest of the three national parks in Bulgaria. These areas were declared a national park on February 24, 1992 The park covers an area of over 81,000 hectares in the central and highest parts of the Rila Mountains. It was created to protect several different ecosystems and historical and cultural sites of national importance. Nearly 4% of all rivers in Bulgaria originate from here. From the park spring Iskar River – the longest river in Bulgaria and the river Maritsa - the most high-water river. The park lies between 800 and 2925 meters above sea level and there are 120 natural lakes on its area, mostly of glacial origin. Four Bulgarian reserves – Parangalitsa, Central Rila Reserve, Ibar and Skakavitsa are situated in the park. Rila National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe.

Central Rila Reserve

Central Rila Reserve is the largest reserve in the Balkans. It was created in 1992 to preserve the unique Southeast Europe mountainous glacial complex and primary wild forest, subalpine and alpine ecosystems. The reserve covers an area of 12,394 ha in the higher parts of East, Central and North-Western Rila.

In the territory of the reserve is the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula – Musala and the other highest Rila peaks Deno, Mancho, Large and Small Skakavets; deep trog valleys of the rivers Maritsa, White and Levi Iskar and others, numerous picturesque cirque lake groups – Marichini, Musalenski, Skakavishki etc. The terrain of the reserve at higher parts is mainly alpine, represented by numerous rocky crags, scree and others.

Largest areas of the reserve include coniferous forests, formed mainly by white fir and spruce. In the higher areas are broad bands from squat. Plant life is extremely rich. One of the most common types are the Rila primrose, gentian spotted, spring kitten Bulgarian avens, snow-edge bell.