Orelyak

Orelyak (Bulgarian: Ореляк), also known as Orelek or Orlovi skali, is a peak in the Pirin mountain range, south-western Bulgaria. Reaching height of 2,099 m, it is the highest summit of Central Pirin, the second-highest subdivision of the mountain range.[1][2] Orelayk is situated on Pirin's main ridge to the north of the Baba Peak and to the north-west of the Chala Peak.[1] It has the shape of a triangular dome. The western slopes descend steeply, at places vertically, to the valley of the Pirinska Bistritsa river.[1] Orelayk is built up of karstified marbles. Near its highest point is located a 96 m-high radio and television repeater.[1] The lower part of the northern slopes falls within the territory of the Orelyak Reserve, created to protect the old growth beech forests of Central Pirin.

Orelyak (Ореляк)
A view of Orelyak in winter
Highest point
Elevation	2,099 m (6,886 ft)
Coordinates	41°34′13.99″N 23°36′46.38″E
Geography
Location	Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria
Parent range	Pirin Mountains

Orelyak peak

The main starting point for climbing Orelyak is the Popovi Livadi refuge. There is a marked trail, through which the peak may be reached for about 2 hours. A 10 km gravel road beginning from the same refuge leads to the very top of Orelyak.

Citations

1. Dushkov 1972, p. 120
2. Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria 1980, p. 346

References

• Мичев (Michev), Николай (Nikolay); Михайлов (Mihaylov), Цветко (Tsvetko); Вапцаров (Vaptsarov), Иван (Ivan); Кираджиев (Kiradzhiev), Светлин (Svetlin) (1980). Географски речник на България [Geographic Dictionary of Bulgaria] (in Bulgarian). София (Sofia): Наука и култура (Nauka i kultura).
• Душков (Dushkov), Добри (Dobri) (1972). Пирин. Туристически речник [Pirin. Tourist Dictionary] (in Bulgarian). София (Sofia): Наука и култура (Nauka i kultura).