|
Like the Rila Mountains, the Pirin range can be approached from two directions. Heading down the Struma Valley towards the Greek border, the only places worth stopping at are the lively university town of Blagoevgrad , and Sandanski , jumping-off point for such destinations as the weird and wonderful Melnik, Rozhen and Rupite . Communications on Pirin's eastern flank tend to centre round Bansko , a short bus journey across the Predel pass from Blagoevgrad, and the region's best base for hiking and skiing. From Bansko there's a scenic route down the Mesta Valley to Gotse Delchev , another attractive town surrounded by some interesting villages. Above all, the Pirin Mountains , a glorious glacial landscape of peaks and lakes, offer some of the finest walking in Europe. Heading south along the main road to Greece you're struck by the contrast between the arid highlands and the fertile bed of the Struma Valley , for while the region has one of the lowest rainfalls in Bulgaria, the Struma flows even in autumn. South of Blagoevgrad the E-79 enters the Kresna Gorge , while trains forge their way through thirteen tunnels before reaching Sandanski. If you're driving along here, beware of the stream of trucks thundering along a two-lane country road designated as a European highway.
Your Tip for Pirin range and the far south
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Pirin range and the far south - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Pirin range and the far south - visit the main Pirin range and the far south forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Pirin range and the far south webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
