Picturesque Hike To Muratov Peak (& Muratov Lake) in Pirin

Pirin National Park has many beautiful hiking trails. If you’re searching for a hike that is not too difficult and not technical, but will offer amazing views, look no further. The hike to Muratov Peak is perfect for you! In this article you will find everything you need to know to hike to Muratov Peak, with a nice stop at the lovely Muratov Lake. I have done this hike to Muratov Peak several times, especially in 2024 when I was training for the Pirin Ultra. You can easily connect the hike to this peak with other trails if you want -like to the Donchovi Karauli ridge or to Sinanitsa.

Last update & prices in this article are from April 2025.

Also read: Hike To The Mighty Todorka Peak – 3 Different Routes To Get There

Practical info for the hike to Muratov Peak

Starting point for the hike: Vihren Hut in Pirin National Park. You can park close to this mountain hut or take a taxi/shuttle up to the hut from Bansko. These are the Google Maps coordinates for Vihren Hut.

Total kilometers: 7 kilometers (3,5km each way)

Elevation: 700 meters up and down

Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours for the total hike

Type of hike: point-to-point. You go back the same way you went up to Muratov Peak

Dog friendly: I have done this hike twice with my dog Bella. She is an active dog, but even most smaller dogs would be able to join this hike. No ladders or technical parts involved and you don’t need to use a lift. Usually you won’t encounter any shepherds with their cattle in this area, so no sheep dogs that can bother your dog either. If your dog is fit it should be no problem to join your hike.

Hiking trail: you can open the Muratov hike on Mapy.cz via this link

Hike To Muratov Peak: Everything You Need To Know

1. How high is Muratov Peak?

Muratov Peak is situated in Pirin National Park in Bulgaria. The closest place is the mountain resort Bansko. The peak has a height of 2669m.

With a height of 2669m Muratov is one of the peaks above 2500m in Pirin National Park. James from Coliving Avalon created a nice challenge called The Davies. During this challenge you hike in Pirin National Park and tick off all these peaks above 2500m: 90 in total! You can ask for a map and more info via Coliving Avalon.

2. What does Muratov mean?

It’s not exactly clear how this peak got this name. The word Murat means in Turkish desire or wish. It could indicate that the name was given to this peak during the time of the Ottoman Empire.

Bulgarians love their legends in the mountains, so a lot of mountain peaks are usually combined with a story. One of the legends is about the man named Murat Bey. He heard about a beautiful woman in this region and wished for her to join his harem. The woman run away and fled into the mountains of Pirin. Unfortunately Murat followed her and beheaded her once he found her. And that’s how this peak potentially got its name.

3. How do you get to the starting point of this hike?

This hike to Muratov Lake and Muratov Peak starts at the Vihren Hut in Pirin National Park. There are several ways to get from Bansko to the Vihren Hut:

• I have done this hike as a day hike from Bansko. If you have a car you can leave early in the morning from Bansko to the Vihren Hut. It’s about 25 minutes driving from Bansko to the hut, the starting point of this hike. Keep in mind that it’s getting quite busy in the summer months, so between June and September you have to drive up before 8.00. Parking at the Vihren Hut is free.
• It’s also possible in the summer months to take a shuttle bus up from Bansko to the Vihren Hut. The first shuttle bus goes up at 8.30 starting at the Train Station. Another place to get into the shuttle bus is Hotel Kempinski in the gondola area. Check the shuttle bus times here. A bus ticket is 12 leva (€6) per person.
• In case you can’t drive up yourself, it’s always possible to take a taxi to the hut. I have not done this myself, but I have heard people taking taxi’s for 40-50 leva (€20-25) per car.
• And last but not least: you can take the gondola up to the upper station, Banderiska Polyana. From here you walk in about 1 hour to the Vihren Hut. The elevation of this part is about 350 meters.

4. What is the best time to do the hike to Muratov?

Technically you can do the hike to Muratov Peak all year round, but the best time is between early June and late October. Between November and May there is usually still snow in the mountains. Not only is it more dangerous with a chance of avalanches, but the snow will slow you down a lot as well. Only experienced hikers with equipment should do this in winter.

In my opinion June and September are the best months, since it is less busy in the mountains. In June and September the weather is good and you have enough daylight to make this hike in a comfortable way. The hike to Muratov Lake & Muratov Peak is one of the more popular ones in Pirin National Park, so expect a few other hikers on the trail in the summer months.

5. What should you bring for this hike?

If you do the hike to Muratov Peak keep in mind that it can be cold. Even if it’s 30 degrees in summer in Bansko, it can be much colder at the Muratov Peak. Keep in mind that Bansko is 1700 meters lower than this peak! Especially early in morning and when it’s windy it’s good to bring a jacket.

I would recommend bringing the following for your hike:

• Water bottle or Camelbak to drink enough water
• Snacks and lunch: there is the Vihren Hut at the beginning/end where you can buy food and drinks. But the rest of the hike you won’t have the option to buy anything, so bring enough snacks.
• Multiple layers of clothes, preferably at least a water- and windproof jacket
• Hiking shoes or comfortable shoes to walk
• Hiking poles to stabilize yourself on the big rocks (not necessary, but some people love it)
• Hat/cap to keep the sun out of your eyes
• Sunglasses once the sun is out
• Sunscreen, since the sun can be quite intense in the mountains
• First Aid Kit, because you never know when you need it
• Camera gear, since I always regret it when I don’t bring any gear with me during any hikes. Although good phone camera can capture some nice shots as well!

6. How much time do you need for this hike?

I think this is one of the easier hikes that you can do in Pirin National Park. I have done it a few times as a morning hike with my dog: good for exercise, but afterwards I’m not super tired so I can still work the rest of the day.

You can divide this hike to Muratov Peak in 3 parts. The first part from the Vihren Hut to Muratov Lake is 40 to 60 minutes. From the lake you hike up to the Banderishka Porta, which is anohter 30 to 60 minutes. From that plateau you hike the last part to Muratov Peak. Most people do it in 30 to 45 minutes.

The hike from the Vihren Hut to Muratov Peak can be done in 1,5 to 2 hours. You go back the same way, so I would say within 4 hours you can finish the entire hike.

7. Accommodation for this hike

Stay in a mountain hut

It is possible to sleep in the Vihren Hut, at the start of the hike to Muratov Peak. This is great if you don’t have your own transportation and you want to start the trip a bit more relaxed. Sleeping in the Vihren Hut is about 25 leva (€13) per person.

Wild camping & camping

There is a designated camping area called Banderitsa Camping. The camping area is half way between Banderishka Polyana and Vihren Hut. You can camp here (or stay with a camper van). There are toilets, but no bathrooms. As far as I know there is no electricity, so make sure you bring a powerbank.

Although wild camping is not allowed in Pirin (since it’s a national park), I have seen numerous people camping close to Muratov Lake. Always make sure you leave the place exactly how it is and bring your trash with you.

Staying in Bansko

Of course you can stay in Bansko if you want to hike in Pirin National Park. A few recommendations when you want to stay in Bansko (accommodations that are open all year, not only in the winter season):

• Belvedere Holiday Club: nice hotel with spa facilities and a pool. I have seen multiple apartments in this complex and it always looks nice and clean. Just a few minutes walk to the gondola.
• Parklands Hotel & Pool: great value for money in this hotel in the gondola area. It has a good location and it has facilities like an indoor swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness area.
• Kempinski Hotel: if you want to splurge and indulge in some luxury, you should go for Kempinski, right next to the gondola. Most rooms have a lovely view on the ski road and the mountains. The shuttle bus to Vihren Hut stops right in front of the hotel and the spa facilities are amazing – great after a long day of hiking!

8. How difficult is the hike to Muratov Peak?

I would consider the hike from Vihren Hut to Muratov Peak a medium hike. If you only hike up to Muratov Lake I would even consider it an easy hike.

Yes, this hike has some elevation, but it’s all quite gradual. Everyone with a decent level of fitness can easily complete the hike to the Muratov Peak. In case you decide that you don’t want to go to the peak you can still stop at the Muratov Lake and enjoy the hike and the surroundings.

Only the last part from Banderishka Porto to Muratov Peak is a bit more tricky, but still not technical. There is a trail going up and you can follow the stone pyramids in case you feel you get lost. One of my first times I went up via the western side of this peak, which is basically bouldering via the big rocks. A lot of fun, but it takes you a bit longer to get to the peak.

9. Hike to Muratov Peak in 3 parts

The hike from Vihren Hut to Muratov Peak can be divided in 1 parts.

• Vihren Hut (1970m) to Muratov Lake (2234m)
• Muratov Lake (2234m) to Banderishka Porta (2501m)
• Banderishka Porta (2501m) to Muratov Peak (2669m)

Part 1: Vihren Hut (1970m) To Muratov Lake (2234m)

From the Vihren Hut you will start climbing, but in a chill way to warm up your muscles. After 15-20 minutes you will reach the river, and you stay on the right side of it. You keep following the yellow/blue trail.

It’s a beautiful part where you have a nice overview of the valley. You gradually climb up towards Muratovo Lake (Muratovo Ezero in Bulgarian). While you’re climbing you don’t really expect a lake any time soon, but then from one moment to another it is just around the corner. From here you already have a lovely view on the Muratov Peak!

This part of the hike to the lake takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Part 2: Muratov Lake (2234m) to Banderishka Porta (2501m)

From the lake you’ll start climbing more uphill, towards Banderishka Porta. This is the crossing point where multiple trails come together. The first part of this trail is just a walking trail, the second half contains some boulders as well, so watch your step.

This part of the hike takes 30 to 60 minutes as well, depending on your level of fitness.

Part 3: Banderishka Porta (2501m) to Muratov Peak (2669m)

Once you reach the plateau you see the last climb on your right. Make sure to stay a bit on the right side to follow the trail and the stone pyramids. I once took the left side of the peak, which is basically just bouldering. A lot of fun if you love climbing, but not so much if you don’t like it.

Most people can finish this last climb to the peak between 30 and 45 minutes. I would suggest a break at the peak and/or at Muratov Lake on the way back to relax a bit.

This is everything you need to know about the hike to Muratov Lake and Muratov Peak. Are you excited about this hike, but are you still missing essential information? Please let us know via the comments below or by emailing jessica@explorebulgarianow.com.

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