BANSKO-REFUGIO VIHREN-PICO VIHREN (PARQUE PIRIN)
Surroundings: Vihren refuge, Vihrenski pass, Vihren peak, North face chains, Premkata pass, Vihren glacier, East side trail, Vihren refuge
Technical data:
Road type: Path and Track

Distance: 7.8 KM

Total Time: 5:18 h

Movement Time: 3:44 h

Time stopped: 1:34 h

Minimum height: 1950 m

Maximum height: 2914 m

Positive Gradient: 930 m

Negative difference: 930 m

Difficulty: Medium-High

Description:
From the town of Bansko, we take the local road that takes us to the Refugio de Vihren located at 1950 m. The parking next to the shelter is scarce, although in the same road usually cars park when the parking lot is full. In the parking lot they take approximately 15 vehicles.
Once in the refuge, we began the hard climb looking for a circular route to the top of Vihren. The trail is well signposted for what is not lost, when we reach a fork in the path we go to our left looking to ascend the south face of the peak. During the ascent we had the opportunity to see some chamois or chamois that we found on the 2400 m elevation. After some photos we resumed the march finally arriving at the hill Vihrenski at 2600 m. After a rest, we resume the march on a hill that although it seems difficult to climb the path without snow is clearly marked and you can complete the last 300 m of altitude. Arrived at the top we found numerous groups of people next to the vertex and highest point of the top.

We take numerous photos at the top and rest a little. After 30 minutes at the top we resume walking down the north face. This part of the summit is abrupt and has a chain that will help us to descend. The descent on this face in the absence of snow is quite safe, in certain cases it will be necessary to help us from the chain. After descending the first 300 m, we arrive at the Premkata pass and continue descending towards the glacier caldera where there is plenty of snow, although the path avoids having to tread it, practically avoiding almost the entire area where there is snow.

Finally we go around the east face of Vihren until we reach the fork and descend the last rocky section until we reach the refuge.
Recommendations:

• Long pants and appropriate clothing (raincoat, warm or windproof clothing).
• Appropriate footwear
• Cap, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip protection.
• Trekking sticks.
• Food for the day.
• Bring drinking water (minimum 2 liters).