Seven Rila Lakes

The Seven Rila Lakes (Sedemte rilski ezera) are Bulgaria's most famous group of glacial lakes and one of the most photographed mountain sights in the Balkans. They lie in the north-western part of the Rila massif, high in the alpine zone, arranged in steps down the mountainside — each lake filling a glacial cirque carved by ice during the last Ice Age.

What you'll see

The lakes are known by descriptive names tied to their shape or character: the Tear (Salzata) — the highest, prized for its clear water and sweeping views; the Eye (Okoto), the deepest, with an almost perfectly oval form; the Kidney (Babreka); the Twin (Bliznaka); the Trefoil (Trilistnika); the Lower Lake (Dolnoto ezero) and the Fish Lake (Ribnoto). The trail linking them climbs among rocky ridges and alpine meadows, and from the upper viewpoints you can see the whole "staircase" of lakes stacked one below another — the image the place is famous for. The area is part of Rila National Park and supports rich alpine flora; it also carries spiritual significance, associated with an annual gathering of the Dunov (Beinsa Douno) community.

Practical

The usual approach is from Panichishte / the Pionerska hut, where a chairlift rises toward the Rilski Lakes hut; from there a well-marked path makes the circuit of the lakes. The basic hike takes a few hours, but the climb to the upper viewpoint is fairly steep — good footwear and windproof layers are essential, as weather changes quickly at altitude. The best season is from late June into September, once the snow has retreated; summers are busy, so an early start helps. Orientative details on the chairlift and timetables vary by season and should be checked before you go.