CRYSTAL LAKES, ALPINE PEAKS, AGE-OLD FORESTS
Nearly 1/3 of Bulgaria is occupied by mountains. They are comparatively easily accessible and have good possibility. Who can suppose that Rila, Pirin and Rhodope Mountains, entwisting their foot one-in-one, differ so much between each other! The leader on the Balkan Peninsula – Moussala Peak in Rila Mountain (2925 m) and Rila Pinnacles – dark and imposing do not look like the marmoreal Pirin Mountain. The imposing gorges of Rhodope Mountains and soft forms of this endless mountain, covered with pine forests, differ from the Balkan Range, which is different even in its single ranges – from the high western part to the soft eastern parts, sinking in the sea.
  
Balkan beech forests and grass ridges do not look like the beech forests of Sredna Gora Mountain and the forests of Strandzha.
One of the most beautiful things in Rila and Pirin Mountains are the crystal lakes (in total – over 300) mainly of glacial origin and in Rhodope Mountains – the water mirrors of artificial lakes and age-old coniferous forests.
   
The most beautiful and valued plant and animal species are protected on the territory of national parks of Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan and in eight natural parks, ninety reserves and a lot of more protected objects.
The national park Pirin is in the List of UNESCO for world natural and cultural heritage. In winter, the best conditions for ski are offered by the holiday resorts Borovets in Rila Mountains, Pamporovo in Rhodope Mountains, Bansko and Dobrinishte in Pirin Mountain, Vitosha near the city of Sofia. The most suitable for passings by snowshoes and cross-country skis are Rila, Rhodope Mountain, and Vitosha Mountain.
  
In summer there are successful and various in difficulty combinations of afoot tours (up to 15 days) in Rila, Pirin Mountain, the Balkan Mountains etc. There are also, programmes offering spending the night in tents, where mules carry the luggage. Passings by riding a horse or bicycle are organized in Balkan Mountains, Strandzha Mountain, and Rhodope Mountains.
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