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Spend the day in the Rila mountains, walking around its pearls: The Seven Rila Lakes. During the last few years, this destination has become one of the most popular places for one-day hiking tours in Bulgaria. The reasons are several: impressive nature beauty, easy access by chairlift, variety of paths and hiking routes in the area.
Circular trek, starting from the Rila Lakes hut, going along the lower lakes up to the highest one (the Tear Lake) and descending past the Kidney Lake back to the Rila Lakes hut. (3,30-4hrs hiking time only; 6km; +450m; -450m)
A transfer from Sofia takes us to the Panichishte Resort cable car which takes us to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. Then we start exploring them one by one. 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.
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! A rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
The tour is offered as guided or self-guided tour (transport only). Check the PRICES tab below for further details.
Meeting point: Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia LINK) – a detailed map will be provided with the reservation
Duration: 10 hours; 4 hrs spent in transfer time, 1 hrs spent at the lift
Walking time: 3,30-4 hrs (hiking time only; moderate difficulty)
Best period: mid-June – mid-September (possible also in late May and Late September through to November (incl.) (depending on the lifts’ working time)
Tour options:
- English-speaking live guide
- Spanish-speaking live guide
- Audio guide (online) in different languages -English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian.
Drop off: Vasil Levski Monument (in front of the Embassy of Slovakia)
07:00: The trip starts from Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) LINK
09:00: Arrival at the bottom station of the Panichishte Resort chairlift.
09:30: Arrival at the top station of the chair lift and start of the hike.
14:30: End of the hike and arrival back at the top station of the chairlift.
15:00: Arrival at the bottom station and a transfer back to Sofia.
17:00: Approximate time of arrival at Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) meeting point
Please note that all of the timetables are approximate and are subject to change, depending on the size of the group and the traffic along the way.
Price: From 30 euros per person
Service variations:
- TRANSPORT ONLY – return transportation service;
- ENGLISH GUIDE + AUDIOGUIDE – with an English-speaking guide and extra online audio guide on your smartphone (internet and headphones required);
- SPANISH GUIDE + AUDIOGUIDE – with a Spanish-speaking guide and extra online audio guide on your smartphone (internet and headphones required);
- ENGLISH GUIDE/NO LIFT – with an English-speaking guide but without using the lift due to the annual maintenance period
- SPANISH GUIDE/NO LIFT – with a Spanish-speaking guide but without using the lift due to the annual maintenance period
- ENGLISH GUIDE/SNOW COVER – with an English-speaking guide, and the area may be covered still in snow and mud, and puddles.
- SPANISH GUIDE/SNOW COVER – with a Spanish-speaking guide, and the area may be covered still in snow and mud, and puddles.
The price does NOT include: Tickets for the Chair Lift to the Rila Lakes; (31,30BGN/leva return ticket price per person).
The price includes: All transportation along the route: Sofia – Rila Lakes – Sofia, services as per variation, VAT, and parking fees.
Please note:
- The lakes are situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres above sea level!
Dress according to the season & the weather forecast. Don’t forget a windproof and waterproof jacket or raincoat. Please wear comfortable hiking shoes. Sneakers and other kinds of sports shoes are acceptable as well. Please bring an extra layer of clothing and a hat, and sun lotion for the summer - 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.
- Hiking time: hiking time only is mentioned on each day (not including stops for pictures, picnics, breaks etc.!); these are based on an average hiker’s speed of 4-5km/hr on flat terrain, additional 30min for each 300m elevation gain, and a backpack weighing not more than 10-15% of your body weight. Still, this varies a lot on the terrain, the group size, and the hiking experience of each client within the group.
- The tour is not suitable for disabled people.
- The tour is not recommended for children under 6 years old.
If you are travelling with a child, a separate seat (ticket) must be booked.
Please get in touch with us to arrange a booster seat (as required by law)
