Mazalat Hut is situated on the eastern edge of Central Balkan National Park, at an altitude of 1,525 meters in the Mandrishteto area.
Built in 1935 by a group of tourists from Sevlievo, the hut has preserved its original charm to this day. In 2015, it received the "Hut of the Year" award, thanks to its friendly hosts, cozy rooms, and delicious homemade soup. The hut offers 34 beds, indoor restrooms, hot showers, two indoor dining areas, and an outdoor seating area with a covered awning..
For reservations, contact: 02 491 0020. Overnight stays cost 25 BGN per person..
The hut sits on the main ridge with views of the Triglav southern massif, which features the second-highest peak in the Balkan Mountains – Golyam Kademlia (2,275.4 m), along with Malak Kademlia (2,225.7 m) and Pyrgos (2,195.2 m). Although named "Triglav" (meaning "three peaks"), the massif also includes two additional peaks: Mazalat (or Zli Vrah) at 2,196.9 m and Tanas Tepe at 1,874.9 m.
For an even more expansive view of the Central Balkan, head to Mount Valtchata Glava, just a 30-minute walk from the hut. This peak is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. The trail to the peak follows the winter trail markings. From the hut, head east; keep in mind that some sections are steep and challenging, with metal cables provided for support.
There are multiple routes to reach Mazalat Hut:
- **From the north** – Starting from the Lagat area (10 km from the village of Stokite), it’s a 3-hour hike through the forest. The trail is sometimes steep but well-marked. Unfortunately, recent logging in the area has led to landslides and fallen rocks.
- **From the south** – Starting from the village of Skobelevo, which also has a train station, the hike takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- **From the east** – From Partizanska Pesen Hut (which is 24.6 km by asphalt road from Gabrovo), it’s a 2-hour hike, crossing from the Bulgarka Nature Park into the Central Balkan National Park. The road goes through Gabrovo towards Uzana; after passing the village of Zeleno Darvo but just before reaching Uzana, turn right. The junction is marked with a sign indicating "Partizanska Pesen" Hut, but for added assurance, you can also use Google Maps. Continue on a narrow paved road for about 10 minutes. At the end of the asphalt road, next to "Partizanska Pesen" Hut, there is a parking area. Continue on foot, following the white-red-white trail markings that will lead you to Mazalat Hut. The route has only slight ascents and isn’t steep. Depending on the conditions, there are two possible paths – the winter or summer trail. The summer path is flat and passes through the forest, while the winter path is more scenic, climbing two hills that offer views of the Triglav massif and the eastern Balkan range, including Shipka, Buzludzha, and more.
- **From the west** – Starting from Tazha Hut, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes along the mountain ridge. On this route, you’ll often stop to admire the stunning views of the entire Balkan range, passing through the remarkable natural phenomenon known as the Singing Rocks, located at the edge of the eponymous reserve.
The hut is part of the Kom-Emine trail, which is the Bulgarian section of the international E3 hiking route.