The Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria

The Seven Rila Lakes are located in the Dangskiya region of the northwestern Rila Mountains. They are scattered at the foot of a massive cirque that includes the peaks Suhi Chal (Dry Peak), Otovishki, and Haramiya.

Each lake is named after its most characteristic feature. The highest one is called Salzata (‘The Tear’) due to its crystal-clear waters. The next one in height is named Okoto ('The Eye’) after its almost perfectly oval form.

Babreka ('The Kidney’) is the lake with the steepest shores of the entire group. Bliznaka ('The Twin’) is the largest one by area. Trilistnika ('The Trefoil’) has an irregular shape and low shores. The shallowest lake is Ribnoto Ezero ('The Fish Lake’) and the lowest one is Dolnoto Ezero ('The Lower Lake’).

How to get to the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia

The lakes are in around 2-hour car drive from the Bulgarian capital Sofia. If you need to rent a car, see this list of trusted car rentals services in Bulgaria.

You can also book a direct shuttle from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes.

Alternatively, you can take a bus to Dupnitsa from Sofia Central Bus Station. Most buses that head down to Blagoevgrad, Bansko, Gotse Delchev, Sandanski, Petrich, Thessaloniki, will drop you at Dupnitsa.

Once you get to Dupnitsa, you can either get a taxi in front of the bus station directly to Pionerska Hut, located next to the bottom lift station of the Rila Lakes Hut, or you can get the local bus from Dupnitsa to the village of Sapareva Banya, get off in front of the municipality hall of Sapareva Banya and get in a shuttle bus to the Rila lakes. The shuttle buses are driving passengers during the high season only.

When you arrive at the bottom lift station, you will get on the chair lift for a 30-minute ride up to 2 140 m., which is above the lowest of the lakes.

Starting from the main walking route, you will hike to the highest lake for around 3 hours and than back down to the chair lift.

Did you know that…

The Seven Rila Lakes are the most visited group of lakes in Bulgaria

Okoto ('The Eye’) is the deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria, with a depth of 37.5 m.

Every year the White Brotherhood or Danovites gather near Babreka ('The Kidney’) to celebrate their New Year on August 19 by performing panevritmia - a ritual rhythmic unison dancing in a large circle

📷 Renita Kostadinova ©️