Bulgaria - Bansko night skiing
Bulgaria - Katarino, Pirin Mountain
The Pirin Mountains (Bulgarian: Пирин) are a mountain range in southwestern Bulgaria, with Vihren (2,914 m high) the highest peak, situated at 41°45′50″N 23°25′30″E / 41.76389°N 23.425°E / 41.76389; 23.425. The range extends about 40 km northwest-southeast, and about 25 km wide. Pirin is known with its abundance of water. Many rivers take their sources from the mountains; they belong to the Strumacatchment areas. The rivers are short, turbulent and with high waters,
with high inclination which forms many leaps and rapids. There is only
one distinctive waterfall, the Popinolashki waterfall, which is 12 m high. The main ridge is the watershed between the two catchment areas. One of the most picturesque parts of Pirin's landscape are 176
crystal-clear mountain lakes which are called the eyes of the mountain
in the Bulgarian folklore. All of them have glacial origin and are
usually situated at the bottom of spectacular cirques and Mesta surrounded by rugged marble slopes and snow-capped peaks.
The town of Bansko, an important tourism and winter sports centre, is situated on the northeast slopes of the Pirin Mountains. The town of Razlog lies in Razlog Valley between Pirin Mountains to the south and the Rila Mountains to the north.