Polezhan Peak is the fourth highest peak in Pirin, standing at 2851 meters above sea level. It is located in Northern Pirin on the Polezhan ridge, which branches north from the main mountain ridge near Momini Dvor Peak (above Tevno Lake shelter). The ridge also includes Dzhangal Peak, the Dzhangal Crest, the Dzhangal Gate, Malak Polezhan Peak, Ushitsite Crest with Malka and Golyama Strazha Peaks, and peaks Kaymakchal and Konarevo. Polezhan lies between Malak Polezhan and Ushitsite. It has a steep northern slope descending into the Polezhan Cirque (also referred to as the Desilishki Cirque) and a gentler southern slope where the two Polezhan Lakes are situated. To the west, the Gazeiski Ridge branches off, while to the east is the ridge ending with Bezbog Peak. Polezhan Peak is located within the "Pirin" National Park and is part of the "Yulen" Reserve. On clear days, it offers expansive views of many Pirin peaks, as well as Rila and the Western Rhodopes.
The most convenient starting point for climbing the peak is Bezbog Hut, located about 3 hours away. The winter operating hours of the lift to the hut are from 08:30 to 16:15 (last ascent from Gotse Delchev Hut at 15:45, from Bezbog Hut at 16:15). During summer, the lift operates from 08:30 to 17:00 (last ascent from Bezbog Hut at 16:45). When the lift is not operating, the hike along the marked trail connecting Gotse Delchev Hut and Bezbog Hut (green markings) takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
In winter, one frequently used route follows the ridge descending eastward from Bezbog Peak. To reach it, you cross the frozen Bezbog Lake heading south and carefully climb leftward along the bushes, where the slope is less steep, for about 10 minutes until you reach the ridge. Follow it to the right towards Bezbog Peak. When the snow is not well-settled, this area can be challenging, so skis with skins or snowshoes can save considerable effort. In the upper part before the peak, the slope becomes steeper. Depending on conditions, you may traverse to the left and reach the saddle southwest of Bezbog. From there, the ascent along the ridge to Polezhan begins. Trekking poles and crampons are advisable, especially for the final steep 50 meters before Polezhan, where hard snow poses a risk of slipping.
Another winter route to Polezhan is described by Asparuh Markovski in his Mountain Winter Guidebook. From Bezbog Hut, head west through the bushes until you reach the ridge descending northward from Bezbog Peak, then continue upward along it. When there is significant snow, this route is safer, but in low-snow years like this one, trudging through the bushes is very difficult, and the first route is faster and easier. In general, for winter hikes, assess the conditions on-site and make decisions based on the specific circumstances and your experience, rather than relying solely on guidebooks and online descriptions, which are meant to provide initial guidance rather than detailed instructions applicable to all conditions.
In summer, the hike to Polezhan starts from Bezbog Hut along the trail to Popovo Lake (green markings). After crossing the steep ascent immediately after the lake, look for a turnoff to the right. The junction for Polezhan is about 300 meters past the end of the steep climb, on the right. From there, a short but steep ascent leads to the saddle between Bezbog and Polezhan, from which you follow the eastern slope of Polezhan along the ridge.
A second summer route to Polezhan starts from Demyanitsa Hut. This trail climbs steeply along the Gazeiska Water, crosses the Gazeiski Cirque, and from there, past the Upper Gazeisko Lake, reaches the saddle between Malak Polezhan and Polezhan. Since 2017, by order of the Minister of Environment and Water, this route has been one of the officially approved hiking trails in the "Yulen" Reserve.