Hizha "Vihren" – Muratovo Lake - Muratov Peak

From Vihren Hut, we set off along the trail to Sinanitsa Hut, which is marked with yellow and blue trail markers (the blue trail branches off toward Yane Sandanski Hut shortly after the Banderishka Porta pass). After about ten minutes, we arrive at a wooden bridge over the Banderitsa River. We do not cross it; instead, we continue along the right side of the river. Initially, the path here is nearly flat, but a relatively steep climb soon awaits us. We hike through dwarf pine, but the trail is very well-maintained and the clearing is excellent. When we reach Muratovo Lake, we are directly beneath the peak. However, two more steep ascents lie ahead before reaching the summit, making the small meadow by the lake a perfect spot for a rest.

After Muratovo Lake, we head uphill toward the Banderishka Porta pass. We pass two of the Ovinati Lakes - the group of lakes to which Muratovo Lake itself belongs - after which the slope becomes steeper as we reach the foot of Banderishka Porta. If the trail ahead looks to you like an endless scree of large rocks and gravel, you're not mistaken - it really is. Right at the pass, the trails for Banderishki Chukar and Muratov Peak branch off from the main marked route.

Next comes the most technical part of the hike. From Banderishka Porta, the path to the summit involves scrambling over rocks - in some places on all fours - along with a significant elevation gain of about 200 meters. The peak is quite popular in the summer, so if we begin to question our sanity for heading up there, we can at least take comfort in knowing that we are not alone.