Mount Polejan

Route Description for Mount Polejan

The Mount Polejan hike is an excellent hike for beginners or those craving staggering vistas, but lack the desire to work hard for breathtaking views. This route may not be the most challenging, but it still has some steep parts.

The first stage of the hike begins at the Gotse Delchev hut, which sits at 1,450 m above the sea level. The start of the start leads to the right of the lakeshore, twisting below the slopes of Mount Bezbog. Continue walking until you reach the saddle on the left ridge. After passing the lake, the hill starts getting steeper and steeper until you reach the saddle. The terrain is easy to navigate and grassy, and it takes less than 30 minutes to get from the hut to here. From the saddle (2,370 m above the sea), one can enjoy the first views of some of the most impressive peaks of the northeastern side of Pirin.

The second stage begins with a short section of the path that winds to the right (south) from the saddle and cuts through the slope above a deep valley to the left until it reaches an exposed area, where a steeper, 35-degree ascent begins. Even though this climb is relatively steep, the terrain here is very easy and not rocky. Several serpentines will guide you to a completely flat and very spacious area. This plateau is the col between Bezbog peak (2,645 m above the sea) and Mount Polejan to the south. The altitude at the plateau rests at 2,585 m above sea level. It takes another 45-55 minutes to get here. The most impressive view from here is of the summits and lakes of northwest Pirin.

The third stage is the final climb of this hike. The ascent is very aesthetic, as it follows a beautifully shaped ridge straight up to the summit. The first half of the uphill to the Shoulder of Polejan is not steep and mainly grassy.

But the path eventually gets slightly steeper—up to 35-40 degrees—and the terrain becomes a bit stonier, but it never gets too challenging. The slopes to the left are very steep, so one has to be careful not to slip. You’ll notice the Bulgarian National Flag waving from the summit, after trekking for another hour. Many hikers consider this view to be the best in Bulgaria! Catch a glimpse of glacial lakes, the sprawling Dobrinishte valley, while the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodopes mountain ranges circle the backdrop.

It takes around 2.25-2.5 hours to get to the top. You’ll follow the same route you came on the way back, making the hike around 4.5-5 hours. If you want, you can always walk an extra 30 minutes to the Mount Bezbog summit.

Insider Hints for Mount Polejan

• This hike is a very avalanche-safe route for a winter ascent. Still, Mount Polejan is not to be underestimated, in summer because of weather conditions, and in winter because of ice.
• Bring and wear snowshoes, an avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel & probe, crampons if you plan on doing this hike in winter.
• The refuge—Gotse Delchev hut—at the start of the trek serves food and beverages.
• When you reach the saddle at the beginning of the hike on the left ridge, be sure to go much farther to the left during winter to avoid the slopes of Mount Bezbog better.