image for 7 Rila Lakes

7 Rila Lakes - hiking trail

timer 6h30
2670m landscape
trending_flat 16.0km
780m trending_up
hiking Hard
780m trending_down

General information

Getting there

Take the lift up and make sure to check the operating times when buying the ticket. The lift is located at the below mentioned coordinates. Take into account that the mentioned hiking time is without taking the lift. The lift takes about 20 minutes one way.

Starting point coordinates: 42.239863, 23.326971

Information about the hike

The most famous hike in Bulgaria is without a doubt the Seven Rila Lakes hike. There are however a few different options in terms of hiking in the area. The suggested option here is a bit harder than the most popular route. Of course you can still use the GPX track attached here and look at the map to skip the extension.

In terms of the suggested extension here, you take a right turn upon reaching Okoto lake instead of going left. In this way, Kabul peak can be reached and upon going back you can walk over a ridge which yields wonderful views over the lakes. This ridge is also much less touristic, making it a more unique experience. After the ridge, you descend and reach the most popular viewpoint as well, meaning you will not miss out out on anything.

Getting back

Take the lift back down. Be sure to arrive on time, else you need to descend quite a lot on foot.


Route info

Click to load map and elevation profile

Click to load map and elevation profile


Photos

At the top of the lift to the rila lakes
At the top of the lift to the rila lakes
Date taken: 13/07/2022
The seven lakes hut
The seven lakes hut
Date taken: 13/07/2022
The view on the seven lakes hut from the trail
The view on the seven lakes hut from the trail
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View on the first two lakes
View on the first two lakes
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View on more lakes higher up with the kidney lake on the left side
View on more lakes higher up with the kidney lake on the left side
Date taken: 13/07/2022
The path to the right at okoto lake
The path to the right at okoto lake
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View on okoto lake
View on okoto lake
Date taken: 13/07/2022
The path to kabul peak
The path to kabul peak
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View over the valley near kabul peak
View over the valley near kabul peak
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Kabul peak
Kabul peak
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Going back from kabul peak, follow the blue signs uphill
Going back from kabul peak, follow the blue signs uphill
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Follow the ridge and enjoy the views over the lakes
Follow the ridge and enjoy the views over the lakes
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Wonderful view over the rila lakes
Wonderful view over the rila lakes
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View on the heighest of the seven lakes
View on the heighest of the seven lakes
Date taken: 13/07/2022
View from the most popular viewpoint called "ezeren vrah" (lake peak)
View from the most popular viewpoint called
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Going back from the other side of okoto lake
Going back from the other side of okoto lake
Date taken: 13/07/2022
Reaching the seven lakes hut next to the life once again
Reaching the seven lakes hut next to the life once again
Date taken: 13/07/2022
There is a coworking space at the seven lakes hut
There is a coworking space at the seven lakes hut
Date taken: 13/07/2022


This website and its associated apps are updated based on user feedback.
Want to keep up with the latest updates? We promise not to spam you.

Questions? Remarks? Want a custom guided mountain adventure?

Get in touch