The Seven Rila Lakes: a complete guide to the day trip from Sofia
The Seven Rila Lakes are probably the most famous view in Bulgaria: seven glacial lakes stacked one above the other at roughly 2,100 to 2,500 metres, in the heart of the Rila mountains. Each lake is named after its shape, and from the high points of the trail you can see almost all of them at once. It’s the trip people ask us about most.
Getting there from Sofia
The starting point is the Panichishte area, about two hours’ drive from Sofia. A chairlift takes you up to the Rila Lakes hut in around twenty minutes, and the walk starts there. You can skip the chairlift and hike up, but that adds about an hour and a half each way.
Public transport is slow and complicated, so most visitors come by rental car or private transfer, with the driver waiting at the chairlift at the end of the day.
The trail
From bottom to top, the lakes are: the Lower Lake, the Fish Lake, the Trefoil, the Twin, the Kidney, the Eye and the Tear, the highest of them all.
- Short route, 2 to 3 hours: from the chairlift, climb gradually past the lower lakes to the Kidney and the Eye. You already get the famous views here.
- Full route, 4 to 5 hours: carry on to the viewpoint above the Tear, where you see the whole chain of lakes, then return to the chairlift. These times include stops for photos and rest.
The trail is well marked but rocky and steep in places. Anyone used to walking, children included, will manage at their own pace.
When to go
The season is short: the chairlift usually runs from late June to the end of September, and sometimes into early October if the weather holds. Early in summer there can still be snow and ice on parts of the trail. Check the chairlift’s operating days and hours before you go.
July and August are the busiest months. If you can, arrive early in the morning, ideally on a weekday.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes with good grip. Ordinary trainers slip on the rocks.
- A warm layer and a windproof jacket, even in August. It’s much colder up here than in Sofia, and the weather changes fast.
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. There’s almost no shade on the trail.
- Water and snacks. The hut by the chairlift serves simple food; there’s nothing to buy along the trail.
- Some cash in euros for the hut, in case cards don’t work.
Tips from the trail
- You don’t have to reach the Tear. Climb to the Kidney and the Eye and you’ve seen the views people come for.
- Note when the chairlift closes and plan to be back in time. The walk down is long.
- Give it the whole day. Between the drive, the chairlift and the hike, this is a full-day trip; don’t squeeze anything in after it.
If you stay a night in the area, the hot mineral pools of Sapareva Banya are about 20 minutes below Panichishte; see our spa guide. For more places like this, see our top 5 nature places in Bulgaria.
How we do it
On our Seven Rila Lakes tour we pick you up from your hotel in Sofia at 09:00, drive you by private car to the chairlift, and your driver waits until you finish the trail at your own pace. You’re back in Sofia around 17:00.
