The 7 Rila Lakes are one of the most iconic mountain landscapes in the world and perhaps also the most recognized and famous natural landmark in Bulgaria. As one can surely imagine, they are very popular both with tourists and locals. Our 7 Rila Lakes for Hiking Junkies daytrip is intended to take you away from the crowds, present you with a serious Bulgaria trekking challenge, and show you the pristine scenery and biodiversity of Rila National Park. For trips like this, check out the rest of our adventure trips in Bulgaria.
Along our route we pass the oldest mountain hut in Bulgaria; take a look at the highest waterfall in the Rila Mountains and enjoy the spectacular view of the Rila Lakes spread before your eyes.
Walking time and difficulty: 8 h; +1000/-450 m; T3 difficulty*
* This 7 Rila Lakes Hike is suitable only for experienced mountaineers with high fitness and endurance and requires participants to be well equipped for high altitude conditions.
June – October
We depart at 7:00 AM from a location of your choosing in Sofia
10-12 h
T3 – T4 difficulty scale – Demanding Mountain to Alpine Hiking. Find more details on what to expect in EXCEDO Hiking Difficulty Scale
We leave at 7:00 AM from Sofia and arrive at Pionerska Hut in the Rila Mountains at around 9:00 AM.
Our 7 Rila Lakes Hike begins at ~1600 m above sea level. The first goal for the day is to reach the oldest mountain hut in Bulgaria – Skakavitsa (at ~1900 m), hiking through the majestic pine forests of Rila National Park.
After a short break for coffee or tea at the hut, we head in the direction of Skakavitsa Waterfall. With its 70m drop, it is the highest waterfall in the Rila Mountains and the views are spectacular. Afterwards, our trekking day trip takes us to the world-renowned 7 Rila Lakes, the highest an incredible 2535m above sea level. If the idea of trekking through Bulgaria is so appealing that you’d like to make it into an entire week’s trip, check out our 8 Day Bulgaria Pure Mountain Pleasure trip.
Most of our route follows marked hiking trails, but also includes sections of challenging terrain, steep grassy slopes, and jagged rocks. It is specifically designed to showcase the very best Rila National Park has to offer: peace, quiet, beautiful landscapes, and a rich array of plants and animal life.
After a long day of hiking, we will spoil ourselves a bit and grab a well-deserved beer or something stronger, before we take the cable car down to where our vehicle awaits.
You can expect to arrive back in Sofia in the early evening. If you have any follow-up questions about our incredible 7 Rila Lakes Hike, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Superb – in a sometimes unpredictable, but beautiful Bulgaria
“Lets face it – Bulgaria doesn’t always have the best reputation for reliability and service 😉
Manuela and her team break the mould – great planning and attention to detail combined with professional qualifications, honesty and insider knowledge on Bulgaria’s best locations means you are in safe hands. I have taken numerous guided trips with Excedo to do hiking, rock climbing and kayaking and have never been dissapointed. It helps that her English skills (and German too I believe) are top class. Highly recommended.”
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