The Seven Rila Lakes is one of the most picturesque and quite popular in recent years mountain place in Bulgaria. Located just 90 minutes from the capital city of Sofia, the Seven Rila Lakes are well accessible for both locals and tourists alike. The journey to the lakes is an adventure in and of itself, as you wind through curving paths and scenic landscapes. I have been to the region several times. The last one happened at the end of October.
In this article I will tell you about the Seven Rila Lakes and the route around them. I will also describe in detail how to get to a nearby peak, where the lakes can be observed all together.
Contents
Which are the Seven Rila Lakes?
The legend
When is the best time to go?
A few tips
How to get to the Seven Rila Lakes
The route to the Seven Rila Lakes in short
Detailed description of the route to the Seven Rila Lakes
Otovishki peak, where you can see the lakes all together
And more: Panevritmy
Final thoughts
Which are the Seven Rila Lakes?
The lakes are located between 2,095 meters and 2,535 meters above the sea level and listed from the lowest to the highest are as follows:
- Dolnoto (the Lower Lake): the lowest of the group;
- Ribnoto (the Fish Lake): the shallowest;
- Trilistnika (the Trefoil Lake): most irregularly shaped, perhaps the most difficult to justify its name;
- Bliznaka (the Twin Lake): the largest in area;
- Babreka (the Kidney Lake): with the largest volume;
- Okoto (the Eye Lake): the deepest of the Seven lakes and the deepest circus lake in Bulgaria, depth 37.5 m;
- Salzata (the Tear Lake): the smallest in area and the highest one.
Below I will try to mention the Seven Rila Lakes with their names in English, but if I accidentally miss something, keep this list in mind.
They Seven Rila Lakes are connected to each other (not each to each, however) by small streams. The three highest lakes – the Tear, the Eye and the Kidney – drain separately into the Twin Lake, which drains into the Trefoil, and the latter – into the Fish Lake. After the Trefoil and the Fish Lake, somewhere near the Lower Lake, a more powerful stream is formed that gives rise to the German River. Further down its course, the river makes a big U-turn and flows into the Struma River near the town of Boboshevo.
Three panoramic peaks rise near the lakes: Haramiyata (2,490 m) – above the Fish and the Twin lakes, Malak Kabul (2,506 m) – above the Kidney Lake, and Otoviski peak (2,696 m) – west above the Eye Lake. The whole ridge above the Eye Lake, on top of the views towards the whole circus are astonishing, is known as the Otovishko ridge.
The legend about the Seven Rila Lakes
Once upon a time, in this place lived a man and a woman giants who loved each other very much and lived in a beautiful, cozy home. Unfortunately, evil forces envied their happiness and began to rain storms and lightning. The giant bravely defended his home and beloved, but alas! One day he fell down. And she, his wife, broken by grief, did not stop crying. She shed so many tears, and they flowed down the slopes and in the valleys formed clear lakes of amazing purity.
When is the best time to go?
I would say that the best time to visit the Seven Rila Lakes is from July to October. In many posts you will read that this is from June to September. It depends a lot on the weather. In recent years in Bulgaria, June has been quite cool and rainy, and October – relatively warm and sunny. I have personally hiked in the high parts of Rila twice in the last days of October – to Urdini Lakes and to Ribni Lakes, and both times the weather was just great for hiking.
ATTENTION: the descriptions and advices below refer to the route in summer (without snow).
A few tips
Here are some tips to keep in mind, before going to the lakes:
- check the weather forecast and don’t go in case when bad weather is predicted;
- bring water and something to eat;
- prepare for a hike in the higher parts of Rila – provide yourself with comfortable sports shoes, outerwear and a waterproof jacket (raincoat).
How to get to the Seven Rila Lakes
You basically have two main options for getting from Sofia to Seven Rila Lakes:
- on your own;
- join a tour.
Joining a tour is quite convenient and in that case you don’t need to worry about the logistics and how to orientate. I would recommend the following tour, operated by Traventuria – one of the biggest and best Bulgarian provider for day tours from Sofia.
✨ Have a look here for several options for guided tours to Seven Rila Lakes.
Have a look at the guidelines below to see how to get to the lakes on your own.
The Seven Rila Lakes can be reached on foot along a route from the Rila Lakes hut. The hut can be reached on foot or by lift from the Panichishte area.
In general, getting to the Seven Rila Lakes lift by public transport is a bit of a challenge. You have to take a bus or train to the town of Dupnitsa, then a bus to the town of Sapareva Banya, and finally a taxi to the lift station.
The easiest way to get to the lakes is by lift from Panichishte. It is a small mountain resort about 10 km southeast of the town of Sapareva Banya that is located about 90 km south of Sofia. You can get to Panichishte by car. Bear in mind that the asfalt road between Sapareva Banya and Panichishte is quite steep and winding.
There is a parking lot near the lift starting station. The current prices are:
- the whole day parking: BGN 5,
- a two-way lift ticket: BGN 30;
- one-way ticket: BGN 20.
The working hours of the lift are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. More information about the lift can be found here. It takes 30 minutes with the lift from the starting station to the final one.
If you don’t want to use the lift, be aware of several hiking routes to the Seven Rila Lakes:
- from the area Zeleni preslap through Skakavitsa hut;
- from Pionerska hut under the lift route;
- from Lovna hut;
- from the Vada hut, about 10 km southwest of Govedartsi.
The route to the Seven Rila Lakes in short
The path around the Seven Rila Lakes is wide and well marked. It is hardly to get lost there. It is a mountain route though, so be prepared.
The hiking route to the Seven Rila Lakes starts from the Rila Lakes Hut (also known as the New Hut). From my observation, most hikers go up to the plateau and head towards lake the Kidney, then reach the Eye and the Tear lakes. Then they return to the Kidney and from there along the lower path they walk around the remaining lakes of the circus – the Twin, the Trefoil, the Fish near the Seven Lakes hut (known as the Old Hut), then the Lower Lake, and they finally close the circle at the Rila Lakes hut.
As I said, I have been there several times and I always moved in the opposite direction to the one described above. You will ask why? I think the hike near the lower lakes of the group is a bit slower and more difficult and therefore better suited to a fresher hike. After the most of the hike, when we chase the lift and the legs get heavy, it is easier and faster to move on the plateau.
I will describe here this option exactly. Here are the guidelines.
Starting from the Rila Lakes hut, take the path down to the back of the hut. From the path you can look towards the Lower Lake. The second reference route point is the Old Hut and the Fish Lake. From there you should take the trail to the right and climb to the Trefoil and the Twin lakes, and after to lake the Kidney. From the Kidney go up to lake the Eye and then to the Tear. The return route to lake the Kidney is the same as the outward one. From the Kidney go along the plateau and return to the starting position at the Rila Lakes hut.
The trekking time not counting any breaks is about 4 hours. However, you should envision at 1-2 hours for taking breaks.
Detailed description of the route to the Seven Rila Lakes
The route to the Seven Rila Lakes can be divided into the stages below. I have also given an approximate time for each stage, but be sure to keep in mind that this is pure walking time at a steady pace and without breaks. Also, the time for walking along a given route is strictly individual and it takes much more or less than that.
The stages:
- stage 1: the Rila Lakes hut – the Seven Lakes hut (50 minutes);
- stage 2: the Seven Lakes hut – Lake the Kidney (50 minutes);
- stage 3: Lake the Kidney – Lake the Eye (20 minutes);
- stage 4: Lake the Eye – Lake the Tear (30 minutes);
- stage 5: Lake the Tear – Lake the Kidney (20);
- stage 6: Lake the Kidney – along the plateau to the Rila Lakes hut (70 minutes).
The total time is about 4 hours, but I emphasize again that this is an approximate figure and includes only walking without breaks and hanging out.
I will not describe each of the stages in great detail, because the Seven Rila Lakes are among the popular destinations in Bulgaria and a lot has been written about them. The route is very well marked, and for some time now it has been in the form of an alley, even paved in some parts… destination in Bulgaria I will not describe each of the stages in great detail, because the Seven Rila Lakes are a popular destination in Bulgaria and a lot has been written about them. The route is very well marked, and for some time now it has been in the form of an alley, even paved in some parts…
Watch a short video of the most interesting parts of the described route.
Stage 1: the Rila Lakes Hut – the Seven Lakes Hut
We follow the trail down to the back of the new hut. In the distance ahead, the old hut is visible – this is the goal at the end of the stage. We follow the red and yellow markings.
In this stage, shortly before its finish, we admire the lowest lake of the Seven Lakes – the Lower Lake. For your information, there is another trail down on the very shore of the lake, but this one gives us a more panoramic view. To go along the lower trail, you need to turn left shortly after the Rila Lakes Hut. After the Lower Lake – the lower and upper trails meet shortly before the next Fish Lake. On the opposite shore above the lake rises the rocky and sharp peak of Haramiyata.
During our first visit to the Rila Lakes ten years ago in the summer, the Fish Lake was literally teeming with small fish and fully justified its name. On our last visit at the end of October, I didn’t see any fish, but the weather, although warm for the season, wasn’t summery.
I read somewhere on the internet that the names of the Seven Rila Lakes are unique in themselves. I have personally visited several lakes with the name Ribno (Fish). For example, in Pirin, below the Popovo Lake, an entire lake group is called the Fish Lakes. In addition, one of the Urdini Lakes is also called a Fish Lake. Southeast of the Seven Rila Lakes, there are two more Fish Lakes – upper and lower, near the peak Yosifitsa. Apparently, the name “Fish Lake” is not unique. Unlike the name, the shape, surroundings and beauty of each of the listed Fish Lakes can be considered unique. Anyway, I continue with the route.
Stage 2: the Seven Lakes Hut – lake the Kidney
The path continues to the right along the shore of the Fish Lake. A short climb follows. Not long after, we reach lake the Trefoil, and shortly after that, lake the Twin. The latter at first glance looks somewhat lonely and you wonder about the origin of its name – since there is one twin, there must be a second one… Well, the second one is visible after a few more steps. Everything is correct!
Lake the Twin rests at the southwestern foot of Haramiyata Peak who looks around in this lake too.
Shortly before the next lake on our route – the Kidney, a waterfall is visible on the left. It was formed by the outflow of the upper lake the Eye into the Twin lake. After the Kidney there is another waterfall, formed for the same reason. During this stage we are guided by yellow and green markings, which at lake the Kidney are enriched with a red mark.
Stage 3: Lake the Kidney – Lake the Eye
There’s not much for describing here. The alley climbs up to the next Rila lake, and the views back to Lake the Kidney become more and more beautiful. The upper waterfall, formed by the outflow of the Eye into the Twin, brings diversity to the landscape. A wooden bridge has been built right in front of the waterfall, making it easier not only to cross the stream but also to observe the waterfall.
Stage 4: Lake the Eye – Lake the Tear
From the Eye lake we continue up the trail to the highest lake, the Tear. The slope increases, but the views become more and more beautiful and comprehensive.
Stage 5: Lake the Tear – Lake the Kidney
It includes stages 4 and 3, but in opposite direction.
Stage 6: Lake the Kidney – along the plateau to the Rila Lakes hut
This is the last stage of the tour of the Seven Rila Lakes or the first if you start to walk around them in the opposite direction. The plateau is relatively flat and the walk is easy. To the right and behind are the views – you can see the Lower lake, parts of the Twin, the Haramiyata peak above it and the Otoviskoto ridge behind.
At the end of the stage is the steepest part, which in recent years has been transformed from a path into stone steps.
Otovishki peak, where you can see the lakes all together
The Otovishki peak (2696 m) is among the few, rising above the lakes. More experienced hikers who haven’t climbed it will probably be interested to know the route. If you don’t have experience climbing steep sections or don’t have enough time, it’s better to skip it! If you decide to include the Otovishki peak in your trek, start early in the morning and move tight so that you have enough time; it is good to have previous mountain experience.
How to get to Otovishki peak? Look at the stage 3 above. The trail to Otoviski peak starts from the Eye Lake. The route in short: you climb the peak, walk along the entire ridge on which it is located (it is called Otoviski ridge) and then descend through Lake the Tear back to Lake the Eye. It is from the Otovisko Ridge that you can see all the Seven Rila Lakes together and capture them in one shot.
Here is more detailed description of the route to the Otovishki peak.
To Otoviski peak (also known as peak Otovitsa) we take the path on the right along the bank of the Eye, which rises gently. We follow the blue markings. In about 20-25 minutes we reach the foot of the peak and a small monument in memory of Nestor Kolev, a young man who died some time ago in an avalanche.
Here is the time to recall that the route description and my advice refer to a season without snow cover.
Shortly after the monument the trail turns sharply to the left and we begin a direct attack on Otoviski peak. The section to the ridge is short, but very steep. It takes about 20 minutes. When you reach the ridge, the peak falls to your right. It is about a hundred meters away. They are not so steep and breathtaking. The views from Otoviski Peak are far away and in all directions.
To the southwest, a view opens up of the Karagyol Dam, down in the lowlands to the northwest, the Otovisko Lake stands out and Seimenski Kamak Peak above it, the view to the east falls on Lake the Eye.
For information, behind the Karagyol Dam is the Kalin Dam, the highest dam in Bulgaria. However, it is not visible from Otovitsa Peak.
To complete the loop to Lake the Eye, after climbing to Otoviski peak, you need to turn back a bit and continue along the ridge. There is no marking, but the terrain is relatively flat, the trail is well visible and easy to walk.
The views are charming and far-reaching. Тhey mostly are in a southerly direction towards the flat, vast Pazar dere and the Ivan Vazov hut, nestled in a cove at the foot of the peaks.
If you approach the edge of the Otovisko ridge, you will see incredible views of the Seven Rila Lakes. Fascinating!
From the edge, you can see far to the north. You can see the Plana and Verila mountains, Vitosha stands out on the horizon, you can even see Sofia to the right behind Vitosha.
Along the ridge you reach Razdel – a high saddle located south of the Seven Rila Lakes with an altitude of 2607 meters. Several hiking trails intersect there. You should take the trail north and down to the Tear lake, the highest of the Seven Rila Lakes. After about 15-20 minutes you will reach the lake. A little above it rises the Lake Peak, which will also offer you great views. You can climb it, if you’d like. It is not hard.
After the Tear, in a few minutes you reach the Eye lake, and then the Kidney lake. From there, you descend along the plateau to the Rila Lakes hut. See stage 6 above.
And more: Panevritmy
Every year on August 19th, thousands of people dressed in white perform the Paneurhythmy dance on the plateau near Lake the Kidney. This is a system of gymnastic musical exercises created by Petar Danov, a Bulgarian philosopher and founder of a religious and philosophical teaching called the Universal White Brotherhood. You can read more about it here.
In connection with this event, please note that it is very difficult to find accommodation at the Seven Lakes huts and hotels nearby in the days before and around August 19th each year.
Final thoughts
The Seven Rila Lakes will enchant you with their beauty, shapeс, and incredible landscapes. In this article, I told you about the route to them and how you can not only get around them, but also where to go to see them all together.
Other routes in Rila Mountain:
