WHY THIS REGION IS FULL OF MYSTERY?
Some weeks ago, I watched documentary on Discovery Channel about Bulgarian wildness and the ragged beauty of mountains over there. It was pretty much dramatic described so you would think that visiting that part of Bulgaria is almost like being lost in Alaska. I don’t know how they came up with such explanations and portray of Bulgarian mountain ranges but it is not so raw as they presented. However, it is a wonderful corner of our planet and it deserves story, indeed.
The Balkan Alaska is everything but not to be easy forgotten. The mountain Rila itself has a significant place in tradition and history of Bulgarians but it is also known to be mystical and mythical. According to some ancient writings, the mountain possess healing skills and it is some kind of portal to another dimension. I see you are interested to learn more ? Me too, that’s why I loved to dig more about this beautiful mountain. This is not just the escape to mountaineering or the perfect goal for climbers, it is a challenge for all that are interested in meeting the hidden face of our Earth.
I was amused to learn that there is a legend about Rila lakes. The area is very popular for 7 crystal clear lakes that have mesmerizing turquoise color, which is merged with lush forest and rock formations. Those lakes have their tales which are narrated by the campfire with roasted marshmallows. The old Bulgarians like to believe that long time before people lived, there were 2 giants on the Rila mountain , a man and a woman that loved each others madly. They made a perfect home and enjoyed their life but one day, terrible evil force decided to destroy the calm and peaceful presence of two lovers and bring a horror over there. The lovely home of giants have been ruined while the young giant man has been killed. His poor widow cried so much that all water came into the valley and formed special lakes with crystal blue water. The stone formations that could be seen in this part remind us of two giants in love that have been erased by evil. Erased by forever shaped in the local mythology.
Those lakes have glacial origin and their names are : The Tear Lake, The Eye Lake, The Kidney Lake, The Twin Lake, The Trefoil Lake, The Fish Lake and The Lower Lake. The science confirmed that the Rila mountain has been frozen three times during the ages and the lakes are from the last Ice Age period and they are product of the molten ice.
Rila monastery national park is one of a kind park that contains the numerous biodiversity examples. The fact is that many trees are older than 100 years and their forest is one of the oldest in Balkan Peninsula. This park has a richt medical herb collection and it is exciting to note that over 200 medial plants are exactly here located.
What about animals ? The wildlife itself is very imposant and remarkable . There are many species of gray wolves, wild boars and dark brown bears. So, can you imagine tapestry of deep woods, matched with trails, ski lifts and never ending possibility to wonder and wander over there ? Hikers of the whole world, please come here. You won’t be disappointed. It is like Wonderland with wolf howling, moon kissing the Musala Peak and snowboarding in the midnight.
The hike is the best from April to September and if you are a ski lover, you can pop in there during typical winter months, embracing the awesome ski adventures. It is not far away from Sofia so it must be seen and felt. The mountain climbers claim that reaching the summit is like knocking on the Heaven’s door, especially if you manage to visit all lakes and witness their unique beauty. The nature has been generous to Bulgaria with Rila, the queen of the stones and forests. The mountain itself is like the silent guardian of Bulgarian wildlife and wild spirit, the memory of two giants that loved nature and life. The proof that we have so much to protect, so much to take care of and still so little time to recognize the value of it.
I am sure that Rila will be secretly loved by me till the end of my presence on this planet.
SARAH MAX RESEARCH 
Sarah’s informative and inspiring article reminded me of a specific occurrence in the 1970s when Bulgaria was a Socialist republic and Soviet trading partner…
In 1971, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (i.e. UNESCO) established the ‘Man and the Biosphere Progamme’; an intergovernmental scientific programme to study, analyse and improve relationships between humans and their respective natural environments (i.e. working with Nature and not against it). In 1977, The Parangalitsa UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was created: Parangalitsa is an area within The Rila Mountain Range of Bulgaria. It was established as a Nature Reserve in 1933 by the then Bulgarian government and is one of the oldest reserves in the country.
Unfortunately, The Rila Mountain Range is confronted with multiple and extensive environmental issues, today. For example, The Seven Rila Lakes are impacted on by eutrophication (i.e. excessive nutrient overload from run-off into the lakes, causing dense plant growth and decreased oxygen in the water). The primary source being human activities (e.g. farming, development).
Tourism is not efficaciously-regulated and this results in further pressure upon the regional ecosystems: there is an absence of properly-trained staff and rangers to protect the biome.
Also, widespread legal and illegal logging is degrading the topography and the ability of ecosystems to prevent and recover from wildfires; aside increasing potential for landslides and flooding.
Bulgaria joined The European Union in 2007 and is subject to EU-environmental laws, etc. The present government focuses on improving The Black Sea coast, mainly. Significant EU-funding is required to protect the forests, rivers, lakes, etc., of Bulgaria.
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Nice Sarah, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sixth and last picture look very similar to the East Sierra range in California.
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I am sure that Sierra range is a special mountain 🏔️
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