Pirin - Geology, Relief and Peaks in Pirin

Geology, Relief and Peaks in Pirin

By its geological structure Pirin is a massive elevation with granite nucleus (the granite surface is 62%) covered mainly with ancient metamorphous rocks. It forms as a mountain during the Tertiary. Its hoisting alternated with long tranquil periods. Glaciation occurred in the beginning of the Quaternary. According to some scientists there were even two glaciations, during which the lower line of the ice was at 2,200-2,300 metres. These glaciations lead to partial crushings in the granite peaks and gradually formed beautiful alpine edges, moraine fields and vertical cliffs dropping to dizzy abysses. During that very period the granite peaks lowered and the present marble peaks took a leading position in height, because of the specifities of the marble. As a result of the ice many cirques were formed most of which now contain shining glacial lakes.

The main Pirin ridge is clearly distinguished; it begins in Rila, passes through the Predel saddle and all the saddles as far as the Parilska saddle. It links the separate smaller ridges of the mountain into one system with the highest peaks situated on it. Although it curves a lot, its main direction is from the northwest to southeast and it is also a watershed between the Struma and Mesta valleys. There are many spurs but four of them are so large that they create the appearance of the mountain: Sinanishko, Todorino, Polejansko and Kamenishko.

There are two peaks above 2,900 m, Vihren and Kutelo; seven above 2,800 m; 17 above 2,700 m; 32 above 2,600 m and 40 above 2,500 m. The highest granite peak is the Banderishki Chukar (2,732 m). The 20 highest peaks are:

1. Vihren – 2914 m
2. Kutelo – 2908 m
3. Banski Suhodol – 2884 m
4. Polezhan – 2851 m
5. Kamenitsa – 2822 m
6. Malak Polezhan – 2822 m
7. Bayuvi Dupki – 2820 m
8. Yalovarnika – 2763 m
9. Kaymakchal – 2763 m
10. Gazey – 2761 m
11. Todorka – 2746 m
12. Banderishki Chukar – 2732 m
13. Dzhengal – 2730 m
14. Momin Dvor – 2723 m
15. Bashliyski Chukar – 2720 m
16. Bezimenen Vrah – 2712 m
17. Malka Todorka – 2712 m
18. Chengelchal – 2709 m
19. Disilitsa – 2700 m
20. Kamenishka Kukla – 2690 m