Hut "Ivan Vazov" is one of the most beautiful huts in the high part of the Rila Mountain. It was built in 1940 in the area of Pazardere at 2300 m above sea level, between the peaks Otovishki and Kalinite.
Over the years, it has been renovated multiple times, and currently, it is a two-story building with two common rooms (dining areas) and sleeping rooms accommodating a total of 73 people. Outside, there are 6 small and 3 large bungalows where tourists can also stay. The hut has running water and internal toilets on the ground floor (watch your head in the corridor; there’s a sharp edge!).
For contact - Ventsislav Zlatarev, +359 887 727 772.
The most commonly used and shortest winter route to hut "Ivan Vazov" starts from hut "Pionerska" and passes by hut "Rilski Ezera" - Haramiya - Zeleni Rid and Razdela.
In good weather and favorable snow conditions, this trek is not difficult and is actually very pleasant, as long as you are well-equipped and prepared for a winter mountain hike. Depending on your perspective, physical fitness, and whether or not you wish to financially support the construction of ski lifts in national parks, you can skip the use of the lift and hike up to hut "Rilski Ezera" on foot. From the hut, follow the pole-marked trail, which descends into the valley of the Djerman River. This is followed by a short but steep climb that leads to hut "Sedemte Ezera" (Seven Lakes). The Ribno Lake is bypassed on its western side, and the route continues up the couloir to the left of Haramiya.
This section is steep, and if you are on skis with climbing skins (and they are not in great shape), it is possible that your skis will slip backward, tiring you out before you reach the saddle northeast of Haramiya.
A pleasant descent follows, as well as another ascent, which leads to the ridge of Zeleni Rid. Head right, and soon the most difficult part of the trek begins – crossing the narrow section before Razdela. In poor visibility and wind, there is a real danger of straying to the side and slipping down the steep slope towards the Urdini Lakes. Even worse is veering in the other direction, where the slope is almost vertical. From Razdela, there is a quick and pleasant descent towards the hut for those on skis.
If you are looking for hiking ideas near the hut, the trek to Otovishki Peak is a good option. If you do not have enough personal experience to assess whether conditions are suitable for climbing the peak, talk to the hut caretakers. At the top, be careful with the snow cornices and stay away from the edge.
The expansive view from Otovishki Peak towards Pazardere is a delight for the eyes, especially just before sunset when the light is often very beautiful.
Convenient starting points for summer hikes to hut "Ivan Vazov" are hut "Pionerska," Zeleni Preslap, Rila Monastery, and CPS "Malyovitsa."
The easiest option starts at the lower station of the chair lift for hut "Rilski Ezera" and coincides with the above-described winter route until hut "Rilski Ezera." From the hut in summer, there are several options for trekking to hut "Ivan Vazov":
- Continue along the red trail markers and, passing by the lakes Babreka and Okoto, reach Razdela. From Okoto, there is also an option to climb the slope west of the lake and pass through Otovishki Peak;
- Follow the trail to the old hut and, passing by Ribnoto, Trilistnika, and Babreka lakes, join the first trail before the climb to Okoto;
- From the old hut ("Seven Lakes"), follow the trail past Haramiya, towards Zeleni Rid, and along it to Razdela.
If you start from Zeleni Preslap, you again have a choice - take the trail through hut "Skakavitsa," which connects with the trail from "Rilski Ezera" at the ridge, or pass through Kabul Peak and Otovishki Peak. The second route starts from the meadow in front of the hotel, climbs through the forest to the west, and once out in the open, gradually curves south and begins ascending the gentle northern slope of Kabul (2531 m above sea level). This is followed by a relatively flat section until the trail merges with the one coming from Okoto Lake. A steep climb leads to Otovishki Peak. The final section is along the ridge to the southwest and descends towards hut "Ivan Vazov."
The Rila Monastery is the lowest starting point, meaning a greater elevation gain of about 1200 m must be overcome. The trailhead is at the paid parking lot west of the monastery. It is marked with red trail markers and takes about 5 hours, most of which involves climbing.
The route from CPS "Malyovitsa" is the longest of those listed. Up to Razdela, it is marked with red trail markers, and then to the hut with green markers.