Todorka

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 Google Earth’s ‘Fly To’ and you’ll be taken there!

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.

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Images

View Todorka Image Gallery - 40 Images