Tsentralen Rilski Rezervat, Protected nature reserve in Rila, Bulgaria

Central Rila Reserve covers 12,393.7 hectares within Rila National Park, including Musala, Deno, Golyam Skakavets and Malyovitsa Skakavets peaks and the low valleys of the Maritsa, Levi Iskar and Beli Iskar rivers. Its high zones are alpine, with rock pinnacles and scree, and it holds the Marichini, Musalenski and Skakavishki lake groups. Coniferous forests of Macedonian pine and Norway spruce dominate, giving way to dwarf pine stands over 70 years old.

The reserve was created in 1992 by combining several smaller protected areas that already had UNESCO Biosphere status. This merger strengthened safeguards for the region after systems of nature protection had been developing since the early 20th century.

The reserve absorbed the older Marichini Ezera biosphere reserve, whose territory kept its UNESCO Man and the Biosphere status after the 1992 designation. The name Marichini comes from the Maritsa, whose headwater valleys lie inside the reserve. The reserve also holds the Musala and Skakavitsa lake groups below Musala, the highest point of Rila National Park.

Access is easiest from the Borovets mountain area where well-marked trails begin for exploring the high peaks. Bring layered clothing since weather changes rapidly at high elevations and fog often rolls in quickly.

The reserve contains glacial lakes that feed one of the Balkans' most important river systems and originated from ancient ice age formations. Few visitors realize these cold mountain waters are the starting point for waterways that flow far beyond the peaks.