Zabat Peak, Mountain summit in Pirin National Park, Bulgaria

Zabat Peak rises to 2,688 meters (8,819 feet) in the Pirin mountain range and displays a stark contrast in terrain. The northern face drops away with exposed rocky walls, while the southern slopes feature grassy meadows that slope more gradually.

The name Zabat is recent; the peak was traditionally regarded as part of the Kuklite massif. The granite summit and its cirques were shaped by Pleistocene glacial erosion, which carved the steep rocky slopes above Begovitsa cirque and the gentler grassy slopes above Bashmandra.

The name Zabat comes from the Bulgarian word zub, meaning tooth: seen from Begovitsa cirque the peak's shape resembles a fang. It is a new name, and the summit was traditionally regarded as part of the Kuklite massif.

Check trail conditions before attempting the summit, as snow can linger at higher elevations well into summer. The marked routes between mountain refuges provide clear guidance, and weather can change quickly on the exposed upper sections.

The peak's southern slopes above the Bashmandra cirque hold several cold springs that give rise to the Sredna (Bashmandrenska) river, a tributary of the Pirinska Bistritsa. Walkers crossing the grassy saddle between Zabat and Yalovarnika pass close to these sources without noticing them.