The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour
Overview
This whole-day trek to the Rila Mountains is 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
Enjoy a self-guided hike among nature
Marvel at the views of the Seven Rila lakes
Walk at your own pace
Inclusions
- Map
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Fuel surcharge
- Entry/Admission - Seven Rila Lakes
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Aleksander Nevski Square, Sofia Bulgaria
The trip starts at 07:00 from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in front of LaCattedrale Restaurant
Pass By: Panichishte, Panichishte, Kyustendil Province
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.
Stop At: Seven Rila Lakes, 2650 Sapareva Banya Rila Mountain, Sofia Bulgaria
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.
Duration: 5 hours
Pass By: St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Aleksander Nevski Square, Sofia Bulgaria
Arrive back at the starting point at approximately 17:30
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Aleksander Nevski Square, Sofia Bulgaria
The trip starts at 07:00 from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in front of LaCattedrale Restaurant
Pass By: Panichishte, Panichishte, Kyustendil Province
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.
Stop At: Seven Rila Lakes, 2650 Sapareva Banya Rila Mountain, Sofia Bulgaria
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.
Duration: 5 hours
Pass By: St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Aleksander Nevski Square, Sofia Bulgaria
Arrive back at the starting point at approximately 17:30
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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:
- Near public transportation
- 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! Kindly note, that availability of the tour depends on the weather conditions and the operation of the chairlift. The terrain will be very wet and slippery and there will still be snow in the area. Walking in such conditions requires adequate equipment (good trekking boots, waterproof clothes and a warm layer beneath the jacket). The hike is demanding, so a good fitness level is also required. Keep in mind that some of the lakes may be covered in snow. The tour can be canceled with a last minute notice (100% refund will be applied) due to harsh conditions or closure of the chairlift.
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Free hand disinfectant will be provided throughout the tour
- Customer are required to wear face masks during the transfers.
- All touch point in our vehicles are frequently cleaned.
- Drivers and guides will be wearing masks during the transfers.
- 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.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Chrystal R
June 2018
Was a great tour, breathtaking scenery. So many pictures to choose from. 100% recommend. Pick up at 7 then 1.5 hr drive to the carpark of chairlift. Guide had lift tickets you could buy to save queuing. Lift takes 30mins each way and gets cold, also closes in bad weather so check with attendees....
Was a great tour, breathtaking scenery. So many pictures to choose from. 100% recommend. Pick up at 7 then 1.5 hr drive to the carpark of chairlift. Guide had lift tickets you could buy to save queuing. Lift takes 30mins each way and gets cold, also closes in bad weather so check with attendees. Was about 2 hours up and down in 1.5 hours walking. Steep in parts but my 74 year old grandma made it. The pace was a bit quick in parts especially on the way down when the weather got bad but the views are worth it. Very cold and had snow on top, take lots of layers and sturdy shoes. we went end of June. You need to bring food from Sofia as nothing around. Thank you Dobbs (tour guide) would go again.Keprive
May 2019
I went with 7 others to make an hike on the 7 lakes The guide, Petar, was great, just on time, guide us very well in the mountain. We had a great ambiance ! Just be careful that this is not an easy hike. We has a lot of snow and wind and you need to be fully equipped.
I went with 7 others to make an hike on the 7 lakes The guide, Petar, was great, just on time, guide us very well in the mountain. We had a great ambiance ! Just be careful that this is not an easy hike. We has a lot of snow and wind and you need to be fully equipped.Lauren N
November 2018
After seeing some good return airfares, a friend & I decided to see Sofia for a weekend. After going on some great tours in summer with viator i decided to see what they had going on for the weekend when were going to be there. I saw this tour pop up, i had never heard of the lakes before and boo...
After seeing some good return airfares, a friend & I decided to see Sofia for a weekend. After going on some great tours in summer with viator i decided to see what they had going on for the weekend when were going to be there. I saw this tour pop up, i had never heard of the lakes before and booked it instantly. Our tour guide Petar was superb! He really does make the experience that much more incredible. Its about a 2 hour drive to the mountains and he provides some really nice information about the history of Sofia, points out the small villages on the way and explains there way of life. We arrived to the mountains completely unprepared - literally wearing not much more that a raincoat and a thermal underneath. Petar gave us more puffer jackets and overcoats to wear - obviously we read the weather report for Sofia and not for 2100m above sea level!! There is a 20minute chairlift ride to the start of the hike - on the morning we went it was a beautiful sunny morning so we got really spoiled with visibility of the amazing mountain-scape. The hike of the 7 lakes took about 4 hours round trip. Its about a moderate intensity workout. Getting to the top the most amazing feeling - no picture really does it justice!puiyeeconniet
September 2018
We had only 2 people with the guide, ToTo on 25th September. The 2 people who booked did not show up. When we arrived at the base of the chair lift. It did not operate so we had to use 4-wheel drive. ToTo needed to call back the company to confirm that the company paid the additional cost (15 ...
We had only 2 people with the guide, ToTo on 25th September. The 2 people who booked did not show up. When we arrived at the base of the chair lift. It did not operate so we had to use 4-wheel drive. ToTo needed to call back the company to confirm that the company paid the additional cost (15 leva one way). We needed to wait a bit of time until the 4-wheel drive had two more people. So had an additional experience to go to the top of the chair lift. Then we started to walk the rocky trail (the long trail) to the 1st three bottom lakes. It was close to the 3 lakes. Then we had a little snack break at one of the 3 bottom lakes. Toto told us some interesting local stories about rocks around the lake. Then, we climbed slowly to see all the lakes. The climb was quite steep but Toto was very patient with stops so that we could have a short breathing space. Finally, we arrived at the top (not really the top) but the top that you can see all 7 lakes. It was fantastic, clear sky with a great view, although the strong chilly winds made you feel very cold. So we went back to the Kidney lake for the lunch break. Afterwards, we went downhill with some part of the trail was very rocky with loose stone. I fell once but Toto gave me a hand to climb down some tricky path. Once we got to the bottom, we finally had the chair lift down the hill. It was the first time having a open-top chair lift. It was quite scary for me, and I dropped my umbrella and the walking pole when the chair lift started going down. Luckily, the man at the chair lift picked them up and transported them back at the chair behind me. So far, a very unique experience with chair lifting. Overall, we were very lucky that the lakes were not full of people. Especially we were the only persons at the bottom 3 lakes, so very quiet and peaceful. Once again thanks for the great tourist guide, Toto (hope I got his name correct).Амелия И
July 2018
It was a wonderful trip. The weather was warm and sunny and when we went on top all the 6 lakes were visible (the seventh lakes was right behind us). The crystal clear blue water and the green landscape were like from a fairytale. The road was not that hard, but bring comfortable shoes, food and...
It was a wonderful trip. The weather was warm and sunny and when we went on top all the 6 lakes were visible (the seventh lakes was right behind us). The crystal clear blue water and the green landscape were like from a fairytale. The road was not that hard, but bring comfortable shoes, food and lots of water, although you can refill your water bottle with fresh spring water. Our guide Meto made the trip even more interesting, telling us folklore legends and some fact about the mountain itself.gracemC9575VN
October 2023
Bellissima esperienza con guide molto gentili e disponibili per gestire le esigenze del nostro gruppo. Le uniche raccomandazioni che farei, visto che la seggiovia non era in funzione quando siamo state, direi che bisogna essere molto allenata in quanto il percorso è molto impegnativo e sarebbe op...
Bellissima esperienza con guide molto gentili e disponibili per gestire le esigenze del nostro gruppo. Le uniche raccomandazioni che farei, visto che la seggiovia non era in funzione quando siamo state, direi che bisogna essere molto allenata in quanto il percorso è molto impegnativo e sarebbe opportuno portare le attrezzature idonei per affrontare il terreno e il meteo. Consiglio vivamente Traventuria.