The Seven Rila Lakes

The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of glacial lakes that belong to the Rila National Park, scarce 120 km from the capital of Bulgaria (Sofia). They are at an altitude of between 2.100 and 2.534 meters, each one at a different height since they form a kind of giant natural steps, For this reason, they are becoming more and more famous among fans of hiking in Europe and nature photography., That's right. The Seven Rila Lakes are linked by small streams and the lowest lake is the source of the river “Dzherman”.

Each lake has a peculiar name that refers to its shape. They can be visited on a route of about 3 oh 4 hours, and once the lake is reached higher (2.500 m) there is the possibility even to continue the path to Vazov peak (2.669 m) which is the highest in the lake area, requires 2 more hours uphill but the views from this peak are impressive, not only of the lakes themselves but also a rocky massif that reminds us of the landscapes of Gondor in "The Lord of the Rings". If you have time (2-3 days) the road continues to Rila monastery we already talked about in a previous article.

Next I will relate my first visit to this fascinating place, to which I was accompanied by a local guide who is who gave me all the information that I mention below about the lakes:

Chairlift to the Rila Lakes

For travel to Bulgaria the best thing is to fly to the airport of the capital, Sofia. We left there towards 7:30 h and in an hour and a half drive we reached the town of “Sapareva Banya” which is the closest to the Seven Rila Lakes . We could have started the trail here but we leave that for the fitter hikers, we decided to take the chairlift… The 20 Minutes of the chairlift ride go by quickly as you enjoy fantastic views of the mountains and through thick groves of fir trees. They also save 2 hours of climb and 1,5 hours of descent taking this chairlift. The chairlift leaves us at the "Sedemte Esera" station. (the seven lakes) at an altitude of 2.100 m. From there we take the "winter route" to the right of the station, that immediately forces us to climb a rocky hill that makes our hearts race as soon as we start, but he deserves it. If you like adventure trips here you have the option of renting a horse to go up to the lakes guided by their owners but we as good trekkers prefer to walk.

The first lake we come across is the "Dolnoto Ezero" (Lake of Abajo) and next to the "Ribnoto Ezero" (Fishing Lake). Then we saw the lake "Trilistnika" (Clover) and the lake "Bliznaka" (The twin) under U.S. El Gemelo Lake to 2.240 meters of altitude is the largest of the Seven Rila Lakes and is formed by 2 parts connected by a channel as shown in the attached photograph, hence its name of El Gemelo.

El Gemelo Lake

Another explanation for that name is that the nearby Haramiata peak when reflected in the lake makes it look like two twin peaks, what you can also appreciate in the following photograph.

El Gemelo Lake

Lake of El Riñon

A 2.280 m we reach a large grassy esplanade next to which is the lake "Babreka" (The kidney), which is the most famous of the seven lakes due to its curious kidney-like shape (or Jewish). The water was so clear that we could see numerous trout inside. Around the lake were several wild horses grazing with their foals.

To reach the 2 higher lakes we had to sweat again. After 200 meters, by a path we arrive at the lake "Okoto" (The eye), I decided to climb in a straight direction through some small waterfalls in search of the best photo and I found myself on a hill with beautiful views over Lake El Ojo. El Ojo lake is my favorite for its magical turquoise color. It is the deepest lake, 38 meters, and part of its shore is frozen throughout the year as reminiscent of its glacial origin. You can appreciate it if you click on the photograph where the transport horses appear.

Lake of the Eye

Transportation on Lake El Ojo

The last lake is the "Sulzata" (The tear), a 2.535 m altitude, It is the smallest and surprises with its crystal clear waters. On the way back, we take the "summer route", which is shorter and passes closer to the Lake of the Clover, the Fishing and the Bottom.

Kidney Lake

But before, as it happens in other mountains, we join the ritual of adding flat stones to the small pyramids that other hikers have created as a legacy of their visit. The entire tour took us a few 4 hours of climb and 3 downhill and culminated with a well-deserved snack based on typical Bulgarian grilled meats: kebabche and kiufte at the ski lift station. Our faces, arms and legs suffered the effects of the sun and also we almost fell asleep on the chairlift back to the car park but it was certainly a fantastic day in the mountains and I was surprised by how little we know about this part of Europe, What other surprises does Bulgaria have that we still don't know about??, every trip I make to this country I discover new things, so I will try to tell them in this blog although nothing like living them in person, therefore count on senderismoeuropa.com if you like adventure travel in Europe. You can also see more details and photos of the Rila National Park by clicking on this link: Rila

To end, I just want to mention to avoid confusion that the famous Rila monastery, although it is in the same Rila National Park as the Seven Lakes, however it is reached by the western slope of the mountain, on a different road than the one that leads to the Seven Rila Lakes. However, for the more adventurous there is the possibility of trekking through the mountains between the Seven Lakes and the Monastery.…

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