Travel-challenge #17:Seven Rila Lakes

The Seven Rila Lakes is undoubtedly the most visited lake group of tourists. A great place to visit both winter and summer, when the snow is already melted and the lakes are more beautiful than ever before.

Today's walk to the Seven Rila Lakes will take us to the Lagoon of Northwest Rila. The seven Rila Lakes have glacial origin, located between 2095 and 2535 m above sea level, and take up dents in the slopes of the mountain. They formed during the last ice age about a million years ago. When melted, they collapsed in dents in the folds of Rila. All the lakes are connected by streams, and in the lowest located Lower Lake the waters of all other lakes are collected. Situated in picturesque circuses under not less beautiful mountain peaks and beaches, the lakes Lower, Fish, Kidney, Bliznaka, Eye, Tear and Triplets can be safely circling within 4-5 hours.

From Sofia it departs in the direction of Dupnitsa on the Struma highway. From there the road turns to Sapareva Banya and Panichishte. It reaches Pionerska hut. This route is about 100 km long and takes about an hour and a half. Another option that can also be used is the road from Sofia via Bistritsa and Zheleznitsa. Reaching Belchin and Belchinski Mineral Baths we turn to Klissura and Sapareva Banya. This road is 10 km shorter, but it is longer than 20 minutes since it is not a highway. Whichever path you choose, you will not be wrong as the landscapes around are pretty beautiful to take away the attention From the trip itself.

The Seven Rila Lakes - each of them deserves its attention
The month is June and the sun is already very hot. Do not forget the sunscreen products. At such an altitude it burns without feeling, nothing that temperatures are about 20-25 degrees. We went to the lift from Pionerska hut to get to Rila Lakes hut.

Lower Lake
Loaded with bags of sandwiches and drinks, cameras and good mood in large doses, we went along with my friends to the first lake. The lower lake is the lowest point of the Seven Rila Lakes. It is 2095 m above sea level. From the north, it is set off by a sea-going shaft. Its depth is 11 meters, and the Djerman River starts from it.

The Fish Lake
The next lake is the Fish Lake. It is situated at 2184 m above sea level and is only 2.5 m deep. Near the northeast coast is situated the hut Seven Rila Lakes. It is often found in large quantities of trout and other fish, but fishing here, as in all other lakes, is strictly forbidden. There were no pictures here and there, because the beauty is immense and inexpensive. Whatever the picture can do absolutely can not recreate the charm of this place.

Triplets
A little walk and the third lake - Trilistina - was opened in front of us. Its altitude is 2216 m and its depth is 6.5 m. Its shape is incorrect, resembling three petals. In the past, the lake has been named Medium Göl. The waters of all the lakes were exceptionally crystal clear.

Lake Bliznaka
A little more than the Triplets is the next one of the Seven Rila Lakes, named Bliznaka. It is situated at an altitude of 2243 m and 27.5 m deep. It is also the largest area of the group of lakes. It will take about an hour to ride it in an energetic move. Its name comes from the fact that during drought, the lake is divided into two smaller ponds and takes the form of a sand clock. In the past, it has been bearing the generous name Chifte Goli. Crystal clean.

Lake Kidney
A little to the right just a few minutes from Bliznaka is my favorite lake of all seven. Everything in itself is unbelievable, but it definitely won me. I'm talking about the kidney. Located at 2280 m and 28 m deep, the Kidney is emblematic not only for the Seven Rila Lakes but also for Rila and Bulgaria in general. It is the second largest after the Twilight and the second in depth after the Ocho Lake. In the distant past it was named Kara Göl.

You really will not believe how beautiful and sunny the weather is. There was a wind blowing to cool us and we did not feel the heat so strong. There were tourists of all ages. The last two lakes required a little more effort. We ate and supported the Kidney and we took the path again.

The eye
The next 500 meters we took in half an hour. The trail was increasingly pebble and steep. But in the end what we saw justified all the energy we had put into it. The eye seemed to be some of the Hollowwood production. I had seen similar landscapes on pictures only. Perhaps the most beautiful of the Seven Rila Lakes. With its 2440 m above sea level, the eye is the deepest among the lake group - 37.7 m. Its old name was Canak Gohl. At the far end of the lake there was still undiluted snow. Foolish beauty.

There was a few hundred meters to the last lake, but the road to it was definitely steep. Walking was compounded by the stony pavement we were stepping on. But believe it all remains somewhat aside as a sensation, against the backdrop of the whole natural picture that was revealed to us in the next few meters. As far as I can tell, the path from Okto to Tear is a real danger in winter conditions from avalanches - 35 degrees to the horizon, northern exposure and no obstacles to the snow tables. So be careful when winter transitions!

Lake Tears
Here we are at the top, where was the last of the Seven Rila Lakes. Tear is located at 2535 m above sea level. The second most shallow after the Fish Lake - 4.5 m. Its old name was Bash Göl. Its name comes from the crystal clear waters, which offers in-depth visibility. As you can imagine the only pollution that would occur here is the lack of conscience in some of the tourists who would throw away a pack of wafer or plastic waste.

At such a height, industrial pollution and any human activity can hardly be expected to have reached so high. South of the Tear is the so-called "Lake Peak", which is a peculiar observation site, visible from all seven lakes. If there is a suitable technique, an incredible panorama can be made. Then we did not have one. But that does not prevent us from taking beautiful footage. From this point there is a road to Mount Malyovitsa. So, coming from there, the Salza will be the first of the Seven Rila Lakes, which you will see descending down to Rila Lakes Hut.

After a good rest, we headed back down. Descent was definitely easier. We did not come back the way we came. We passed the Kidney and thus reached Rila Lakes Chalet. Then we got to the lift and with sweet fatigue we headed for Sofia.

Legend of the Seven Rila Lakes
I will briefly tell you about a legend I learned from an adult tourist about the lakes. Once, hundreds of thousands of years ago, when there were not yet people on the land, a man and a woman - a woman, lived in Rila. They loved so much, they lived so happily in harmony with the surrounding nature. Unfortunately, one day the evil forces envied them and wanted to take away their happiness and joy. They began to send natural disasters - earthquakes, colds, heat ... The giant defended every little blade of grass, fought with self-defense against them. But in a difficult battle the young giant died and the wicked forces were gone. After them there were broken rocks, big chasms and a grimace. She was weeping 24 hours a day, the tears, and so much that it flowed streams from the top to which she stood and lamented her beloved. Sharp lakes formed, striking everyone with their purity and beauty. Shortly before Lake Kidney, local mountain guides show tourists a huge rock, resembling the figures of the two lovers, remaining to keep their beautiful home forever.

I wish you to visit this incredible phenomenon, which must be seen by every Bulgarian living on Earth or on any other planet.

Extremely beautiful place from Rila! A piece of heaven on earth - Bulgaria!

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