Rila is the highest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula - peak Moussala
2925m. For the local alpinists the Maliovitza area is the Bulgarian granite paradise. There are south, east, north and west faces, easy routes for beginners and real challenges for experienced climbers - roofs, overhangs and slabs equipped with old pitons from the "artificial era" when the climbers were drilling holes and non-touching the rock. And possibilities for new routes... The longest climbs are on the not very steep south 400m face of peak Dvuglav, but the most frequent length is 4-7 pitches.
Best seasons for climbing: Summer - July-September and Winter - December-March.
Information and topos: Nowadays you can't buy an adequate guidebook. You have to consult the Bulgarian climbers. Some information you could find at the Mountaineering School "Hristo Prodanov" or you can contact Nikolay: nik@osf.bg.
The hut "Maliovitza" is situated in the valley of Maliovitza, camping is not forbidden. But if you hate the long approaches, the crowds and paying money, you can open your tent near Maliovitza lake, or sleep at the bivouacs "Strashno Ezero" and "Granitna Voda".
If you are a "fan" of skitours, you could walk around the mountain or make a traverse Rila-Pirin.
Those who like ice climbing can enjoy the Skakavitza Waterfall, 2 pitches of no difficult ice.