Overview
Todorin Vrh (2746 m) - highest peak of Todorka massif
41°45'5.24"N, 23°25'51.86"E -->copy/paste this value (like it is, with comma) to
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PIRIN massif has
3 peaks above 2900 m, 7 peaks above 2800 m and
14 peaks above 2700 m. One of them is
Todorka massif with it's highest peak
Todorin Vrh (2746 m). Actually, Todorka massif has
3 peaks -
Todorin Vrh (2746 m), Malka Todorka (2712 m) and
Todorina Porta (2702 m). All these three peaks are the parts of same Todorka massif and are connected by ridge, which is more than
2 km long.
Todorka massif is placed in the center of
Pirin massif, between it's highest peaks of Pirin -
Vihren (2914 m),
Kutelo I (2908 m),
Kutelo II (2906 m),
Banski Suhodol (2884 m) and
Banovi Dupki (2820 m) on
W and
Polezan (2851 m), Kamenica (2822 m) and
Malek Polezan (2821 m) on
E. The large and long massif of
Todorka spreads in
N-S direction.
Todorka massif is surrounded by numerous lakes, which decorate it's beautiful surroundings -
Ribno Ezero I, Ribno Ezero II, Banderishki Ezera, Gorno Ezero, Vlahinski Ezera, Hvoinato Ezero and
Strizicki Ezera. Of course, don't forget
Todorini Oci (Todor's Eyes) which are placed belowe eastern side of Todorka massif. Todorini Oci are the trademark of Todorka massif.
Todorka is also very famous and well known by those who like skiing. On slopes of Todorka (2746 m) massif is also located the ski infrastructure of
Bansko ski resort. Ski runs goes till
2500 m.
For those who want to enjoy in incredible panoramas of highest peaks of
Pirin massif and for those who like mountain photography,
Todorka climbing route is pure paradise!
LOCATION:
The beauty of Pirin from Todorina Porta (2702 m) summit
The large massif of
Todorka (2746 m) is placed in the center of
Pirin massif, on
E from
Vihren (2914 m),
Kutelo I (2908 m),
Kutelo II (2906 m), Banski Suhodol (2884 m), Banovi Dupki (2820 m), Gljrbec (2597 m), Pleski (2546 m) and Kameniski Vrh (2532 m), on
W from Polezan (2851 m), Kamenica (2822 m), Malek Polezan (2822 m), Strazite (2800 m), Jalovarnika (2763 m), Voivodski Vrh (2761 m), Izvorec (2753 m), Banderiski Cukar (2731 m), Samodivski Vrh (2730 m), Momin Dvor (2725 m), Krivec (2709 m), Disilica (2700 m), Kameniska Kukla (2690 m), Kuklite (2686 m), Kraljev Dvor (2680 m), Malka Kamenica (2679 m), Zeleznik (2673 m), Orlovec (2668 m), Valijaviski Cukar (2664 m), Zboljt (2650 m), Golem Tipic (2645 m), Golemata Strana (2644 m), Golena (2633 m), Vljezela (2620 m), Vasilaski Cukar (2615 m), Prevalski Cukar (2604 m), on
NW from Glavniski Cukar (2720 m), Graniten (2669 m), Hvoinati Vrh (2635 m), Spanololski Cukar (2576 m), Goli Vrh (2484 m), Kocov Grob (2462 m), Stefanov Vrh (2407 m), Cerni Vrh (2349 m) and Boikov Vrh (2045 m), on
NE from Gredaro (2605 m), Georgica (2598 m), Sini Vrh (2516 m), Momin Vrh (2480 m) and Vlahinski Ezera (lakes), on
SE from Mt Rila massif and Crna Magila (2682 m), and on
S from Bansko (936 m) town and Razlog town.
SUMMIT VIEW:
Todorka (2746 m) summit is one of the best viewpoints in whole massif of
Pirin, which offer enjoyment in many different panoramas.
View from the summit of all three peaks of
Todorka (2746 m) massif is very attractive. You can see all highest peaks of
Pirin massif, specially
Vihren (2914 m) and
Kutelo (2908 m) which staying on
W side oposite to Todorka massif, but also all others impressive peaks on
E and
SE part of Pirin massif (
Polezan 2851 m, Kamenica 2822 m, Malek Polezan 2821 m,...). You can also enjoy in view to beautitufully lakes, specially
Todorini Oci, Ribno Ezero I, Ribno Ezero II, Gorno Ezero, Banderishki Ezera, Strizicki Ezera and
Vlahinski Ezera. Also,
Rila massif is nicely visible in the distance. All summit views are nice and special, but more impressive are
W view to Vihren and Kutelo. Also, very attractive is
E view to Polezan, Kamenica and Malek Polezan, and to all others highest peaks of Pirin massif.
W: Vihren (2914 m),
Kutelo (2908 m), Banski Suhodol (2884 m), Gljrbec (2597 m), Pleski (2546 m) and Kameniski Vrh (2532 m).
Todorin Vrh (2746 m) summit view to Vihren (2914 m) & Kutelo (2908 m)
E: Polezan (2851 m), Kamenica (2822 m), Malek Polezan (2822 m), Strazite (2800 m), Jalovarnika (2763 m), Voivodski Vrh (2761 m), Izvorec (2753 m), Banderiski Cukar (2731 m), Samodivski Vrh (2730 m), Momin Dvor (2725 m), Krivec (2709 m), Disilica (2700 m), Kameniska Kukla (2690 m), Kuklite (2686 m), Kraljev Dvor (2680 m), Malka Kamenica (2679 m), Zeleznik (2673 m), Orlovec (2668 m), Valijaviski Cukar (2664 m), Zboljt (2650 m), Golem Tipic (2645 m), Golemata Strana (2644 m), Golena (2633 m), Vljezela (2620 m), Vasilaski Cukar (2615 m), Prevalski Cukar (2604 m).
SE: Glavniski Cukar (2720 m), Graniten (2669 m), Hvoinati Vrh (2635 m), Spanololski Cukar (2576 m), Goli Vrh (2484 m), Kocov Grob (2462 m), Stefanov Vrh (2407 m), Cerni Vrh (2349 m) and Boikov Vrh (2045 m).
SE: Gredaro (2605 m), Georgica (2598 m), Sini Vrh (2516 m), Momin Vrh (2480 m) and Vlahinski Ezera (lakes).
N: Bansko (936 m) town and Razlog town.
NW: Mt Rila massif.
Routes Overview
Climbing the summit of
Todorka and it's two highest peaks
Todorin Vrh (2746 m) and
Malka Todorka (2712 m) is an extraordinary adventure. Mountaineers mostly using
southern approach to Todorka summit. So, that's the classical approach. Todorka route is really route for totally enjoyment in all the beauty of
Pirin National Park. If you want to see some of the most beautiful lakes in Pirin massif, climbing the beautiful ridge of Todorka massif and take the best photos of
Vihren (2914 m) and
Kutelo (2908 m), Todorka climbing route is right thing for you.
1. Southern (classical) approach:
This beautiful route starting from
Vihren Hut (1950 m), belowe eastern slopes of
Vihren (2914 m) massif. Path continue in direction to
Hvoinato Ezero. During this part of path you can enjoy in beautifully meadows and sounds and outlook of small mountain rivers. Beautiful! After approximately 45 minutes you will be near Hvoinato Ezero, where you can take a break for some minutes. Nice place for breakfest or refreshment, short rest. After that path continue to beautiful glacial lake of Pirin -
Ribno Ezero (Fish Lake) which is the right invitation for short swimming (during summer). After leaving of Ribno Ezero, very soon you will meat another group of lakes -
Banderishki Ezera (lakes).
Ribno Ezero & Banderishko Ezero from Todorka (2746 m) climbing route
After visiting of these lakes, path go up, in right-left-right-left... direction. Whole time during this ascent you'll have better and better view to Ribno Ezero and Banderishki Ezeri (lakes). Paradise for photographers! After more 30 min of hiking you reach grassy/rocky plateau belowe the Todorina Porta ridge. From here ascent continue by hiking/climbing on large granit rocks and after 20 minutes you will reach the summit of
Todorina Porta (2702 m). During this ascent on ridge you can enjoy in beautifully
Ribno Ezero II and
Gorno Ezero and in many peaks which surrounded them. Now, you staying on the summit ridge of Todorka massif and from here starting climbing of two next summits of Todorka - Malka Todorka and Todorin Vrh. You continue your path in that direction (N direction), walking and climbing on rocky ridge. On many places you must use your hands and walk carefully. Path on the ridge goes up and down, up and down. About 20 min you will spend to reach another summit of Todorka massif -
Malka Todorka (2712 m). From here you need more 20 min to reach the highest peak of Todorka massif -
Todorin Vrh (2746 m).
During whole path on Todorka ridge, from Todorina Porta (2700 m) to Malka Todorka (2712 m), and finally also to Todorin Vrh (2746 m), you can enjoy in amazing view to
Vihren (2914 m) and
Kutelo (2908 m)on
W (on left), and all others highest peaks of Pirin massif on
E (on right) and
SE. From Todorka ridge you will also see some beautiful lakes of Pirin (Ribno Ezero I and II, Banderishko Ezero, Gorno Ezero and Todorini Oci. Also,
800 m deep valley between Todorka massif and Vihren massif will be whole time of ridge route belowe you.
Route: Vihren Hut (1950 m) - Hvoinato Ezero - Ribno Ezero - Banderishki Ezeri - Todorina Porta (2702 m) - Malka Todorka (2712 m) - Todorin Vrh (2746 m):
3.30h - 4h
On the summit of
Todorin Vrh (2746 m)(the highest peak of Todorka massif) you'll have privilege to enjoy the best view to
Vihren (2914 m)and
Kutelo (2908 m)in whole Pirin.
2. Northern approach:
Coming from
Bansko (839 m) town (16 km to the foot of Todorka massif) by car, bike or by walk, you can come to the foot of Todorka massif, and then reach the Todorka (2746 m) summit from it's northern slopes (ski runs during winter) called
Shiligarnika. This ascent is not so beautiful than southern, but anyway you can use it also. From the foot of Todorka till ski chair lift on
2500 m, you will hike on it's wide northern slopes, mixture of small rocks and grass. From ski chair lift on 2500 m till Todorin Vrh (2746 m) is hiking/climbing on northern ridge of Todorka massif. You'll spend about 1h to reach
Todorin Vrh (2746 m) summit. From there, path continue on rocky ridge of Todorka massif to another peak/summit -
Malka Todorka (2712 m). 20 min you'll need to this summit. After that, more 20 min to the third summit of Todorka -
Todorina Porta (2702 m).
Malka Todorka (2712 m) summit view to Vihren (2914 m) & Kutelo (2908 m)
Route: Shiligarnika - Ski Chair Lift Hut (2500 m) - Todorin Vrh (2746 m) - Malka Todorka (2712 m) - Todorina Porta (2702 m):
3.30h - 4h
DESCEND:
From summit of
Todorka (2746 m) massif you can descend on it's
southern ridge or on it's
northern side. You can combine one direction for ascent and another one for descend. But, the most beautiful ascent is on
southern ridge of Todorka (classical approach), from
Vihren Hut (1950 m).
Also, if you want to save your energie for reaching the summit of highest peaks of
Pirin massif, you can also easily reach the Todorka summit by
ski chair lift, but sometimes this ski chair lift is not active. During winter, working for sure.
Getting There
Gateway to
Pirin National Park and
Todorka (2746 m) peak is
Bansko (936 m) town.
Look Bansko Webcam!
By plane:
To
Sofia Airport,
Sofia town - capital of
Bulgaria. Information about flights to Sofia on
Balkan Bulgarian Airlines.
By train:
To
Sofia. Than from Sofia to
Blagoevgrad, which is located near
Bansko town. From Blagoevgrad to Bansko by local bus.
Information about train on
Bulgarian Railway timetable. Combine Sofia - Blagoevgrad. Approximately time of this train distance: 2:30 h - 2:45 h.
By bus:
Sofia - Radomir - Dupnica - Bansko
informations about bus lines and tickets.
By car:
Sofia - Radomir - Dupnica - Bansko
When To Climb
Ascent on the southern ridge of Todorka (2746 m) massif
Three peaks of
Todorka (2746 m) massif -
Todorin Vrh (2746 m), Malka Todorka (2712 m), Todorina Porta (2702 m) and all other peaks of
Pirin massif you can climb during whole year, but of course, the optimal period is from mid June - mid September, out of the season of snow on the mountain.
Camping
Inside of
Pirin National Park can stay in private appartments and rooms in
Bansko town, which is 18 km far from the
Vihren Hut, or you can stay directlly in Vihren Hut, belowe eastern side of Vihren massif.
Vihren Hut (1950 m) is optimal place for
Todorka (2746 m) climbing routes.
Inside of Pirin massif exist few
huts & shelters:
1. Vihren Hut
2. Yavorov Hut
3. Tevno Ezero Shelter
4. Kamenica Hut
5. Pirin Hut
6. Koncheto Shelter
Only huts (like the Javorov, the Banderica or the Pirin Hut) close to civilisation might be guarded in winter time.
Mountain Conditions
1. 10 day WeatherOnline forecast for
Todorka (2746 m) area - look for
Sandanski - town at the foot of the
Pirin.
2. 6 day Bansko Forecast.
Maps
Pirin Map - 1:55000
Editor: Kartografia EOOD Sofia, 1998.
Red Tape
No fees or extra fees for entering the National Park.
No permits needed either.
Usual rules of behaviour for NP's do apply.
yatsek - Oct 8, 2008 4:32 pm - Voted 10/10
the 2820 m peakis probably still (I was there in 1977) called Bajuvi, not Banovi, Dupki
kamil - Nov 12, 2008 6:39 am - Voted 10/10
Re: the 2820 m peakOn my new map it's also Bajuvi Dupki. Jeli to istina da na bugarski dupka (dupe) je guzica (na poljski isto dupka, dupa) ili rupa/spilja? Jacek: z tego co wiem "dupka" to może być dupka albo dziura/jaskinia :)