About this place
About Chairski Lakes
The Chairski Lakes are a group of nine high-mountain glacial lakes situated in the Chaira cirque in the central Pirin Mountains.
The lakes are scattered across several natural terraces between Mozgovishki Chukar and Prevalski Chukar. The landscape combines open alpine meadows, dwarf pine, granite slopes and wide views toward the high Pirin ridges.
Compared with the heavily visited lakes near Vihren and Bezbog huts, the Chairski Lakes are more remote and considerably quieter. They make an excellent destination from Spano Pole Shelter or a scenic section of a longer high-mountain hike.
Access
How to get there
1
BEST APPROACH: For a dedicated visit, Spano Pole Shelter is a convenient starting point. Allow approximately 2 hours from the shelter to the Chairski Lakes area at a normal hiking pace.
2
FROM SPANO POLE SHELTER: Head south from the shelter and follow the marked hiking route. The first part uses brown trail markings and crosses a mixture of forest and open terrain.
3
EARLY JUNCTIONS: Several paths cross the area, including tracks created by grazing animals that may appear more obvious than the actual hiking trail. Watch the painted markings and signs carefully and use the BGMountains map for confirmation.
4
IMPORTANT JUNCTION: At the main junction, the brown-marked trail continues toward Begovitsa Hut. For the Chairski Lakes and the direction of Tevno Lake, turn left and follow the green markings.
5
BASHLIYTSA RIVER: After a short descent, the route reaches the Bashliytsa River valley. Cross the river using the bridge and begin the gradual climb toward the Chaira cirque.
6
TOWARD THE LAKES: Beyond the river, the trail initially climbs through dwarf pine. Vegetation gradually becomes thinner with elevation and the cirque begins to open ahead. The first major Chairski Lakes are reached roughly an hour after crossing the Bashliytsa River.
7
EXPLORING THE GROUP: The lakes lie on several different terraces and not all of them are directly beside the main hiking trail. Allow extra time if you want to explore more of the group and avoid forcing direct shortcuts through dense dwarf pine.
8
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH: The Chairski Lakes can also be reached from Demyanitsa Hut via the Prevalski Lakes. Follow the route from Demyanitsa to the Prevalski Lakes and then continue along the green-marked trail across Prevala toward the Chaira cirque.
9
FROM DEMYANITSA: Allow approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours from Demyanitsa Hut to the Chairski Lakes, depending on walking pace and how much of the lake group you intend to explore.
10
IF CONTINUING TO TEVNO: From the Chairski Lakes, the green-marked trail climbs toward Prevala. On reaching the main ridge, join the red-marked trail toward Mozgovishka Porta and Tevno Lake Shelter. Allow approximately another 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
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DIFFICULTY: In dry summer conditions the route to the lakes is of moderate difficulty and requires no technical climbing. The main challenges are the distance, elevation gain and the relatively remote high-mountain setting.
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NAVIGATION: Particular attention is needed at the junctions before the Bashliytsa River. Numerous tracks created by grazing animals cross the area. Do not automatically follow the most obvious path; confirm the markings with the BGMountains map.
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LIVESTOCK: Free-ranging cattle and livestock guardian dogs may be encountered during the summer months. Avoid walking through the middle of a herd and give animals plenty of space.
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EQUIPMENT: Carry sturdy hiking footwear, sufficient water and food, sun protection, waterproof clothing, a warm layer and a fully charged phone with an offline map. Natural shelter becomes limited once you enter the higher part of the route.
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WINTER CONDITIONS: This description applies to snow-free conditions. With snow present, the Chaira cirque, Prevala and the surrounding slopes become serious winter high-mountain terrain requiring appropriate experience, equipment and assessment of current conditions.
Map
BGMountains
Interactive topographic map showing the location of the lake.
Details
Basic information
Mountain
Pirin
Elevation
—
Area
approx. 92 decares total
Max. depth
—
Interesting
Interesting facts
1
The Chairski lake group consists of nine main glacial lakes.
2
The highest lake lies at approximately 2,430 metres above sea level.
3
The lowest of the main lakes lies at approximately 2,205 metres.
4
The largest lake in the group lies at around 2,235 metres and covers approximately 25.2 decares.
5
Another of the larger lakes lies at around 2,416 metres and covers approximately 22.6 decares.
6
The elongated Dalgovidno Chairsko Lake lies at approximately 2,355 metres and covers around 18.9 decares.
7
Water draining from the Chaira cirque contributes to the Sandanska Bistritsa river system.
8
During a period of official renaming, the lakes were called Polenski Lakes, but this name never became widely used among hikers.
Nearby
Nearby places
Spano Pole ShelterPrevalski LakesPrevalaMozgovishki ChukarPrevalski ChukarMozgovishka PortaValyavishki LakesTevno Lake ShelterBegovitsa Hut
BGMountainGuide
Take the lake with you
Map, access and useful information directly in the app.