The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour

This whole-day trek to the Rila Mountains is meant for people, who would like to walk in a leisurely pace among its jewels - The Seven Rila Lakes. You will have enough time to get to the highest of all lakes and enjoy the super scenery revealed from there.

Enjoy a self-guided hike among nature

Marvel at the views of the Seven Rila lakes

Walk at your own pace

Itinerary

1. Vasil Levski Monument

   The trip starts at 07:00 from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)

2. Panichishte

   Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift. He, you'll pay for the chair lift ticket - 25 BGN.

3. Seven Rila Lakes · 5 h

   Enjoy the hiking tour to the pristine heart of the majestic Rila National Park. Each lake is named after its most characteristic feature. The highest one (at 2500m/8200ft above sea level) is called Salzata ("The Tear"), from where we have a bird’s eye view over all seven lakes, as well as surrounding outcrops and deep valleys; the next one in height carries the name Okoto ("The Eye") after its oval form; Babreka ("The Kidney") is the lake with the steepest shores of the entire group; Bliznaka ("The Twin") is the largest of all; Trilistnika ("The Trefoil") has an irregular shape; the shallowest lake is Ribnoto Ezero ("The Fish Lake") and the lowest one is Dolnoto Ezero ("The Lower Lake"; 2100m/6995ft), where the water that flows out of the other lakes is gathered to form the source of Dzherman River.

4. Vasil Levski Monument

   Arrive back at the starting point at approximately 17:30

What's included

• Map
• Fuel surcharge
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

What's not included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Chairlift ticket to be paid on spot

Meeting point

Start time

06:30 · 07:00

End point

Languages

Audio guide: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Travellers

• Adult (10–99)

Options

• Lakes without the lift guidedfrom €40

  Lift closed for maintenance: Access to the lakes only by foot. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km.

  Start time: 07:00

  Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian

• Lakes below the snow guidedfrom €40

  Rila Lakes covered in snow: The area is beautiful, but the weather can be very demanding, and proper hiking equipment and clothes are required.

  Start time: 07:00

  Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian

• Tour with audioguidefrom €30

  Audioguided Tour: Tour with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.

  Start time: 06:30 · 07:00

  Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian

Additional information

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Food: if you have forgotten to take a lunch pack or a sandwich with you, you can take advantage of the meals on offer in the two huts on our way. The menu is limited though: soups (lentils, beans), grilled meat and some basic meals.
• Difficulty: this walking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable hiking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
• Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may stop anytime (due to strong wind, power cut etc.). In the rare case, this happens, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.