Seven Rila Lakes Hiking Small-Group Tour from Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria
Trip Type: Hiking & Camping
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Spend a day exploring the idyllic Seven Rila Lakes on this small-group hiking tour from Sofia. With an expert guide, travel from the Bulgarian capital to the Rila Mountains, the country’s highest range. Be wowed by sweeping mountain panoramas during a 30-minute chairlift ride, and then set off on foot to explore the lakes. During your 4- to 5-hour hike, you’ll see all seven lakes and enjoy frequent stops to capture photos and rest your legs. Enjoy personalized attention from the guide on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.
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Spend a day exploring the idyllic Seven Rila Lakes on this small-group hiking tour from Sofia. With an expert guide, travel from the Bulgarian capital to the Rila Mountains, the country’s highest range. Be wowed by sweeping mountain panoramas during a 30-minute chairlift ride, and then set off on foot to explore the lakes. During your 4- to 5-hour hike, you’ll see all seven lakes and enjoy frequent stops to capture photos and rest your legs. Enjoy personalized attention from the guide on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.
Pull on your hiking boots and hop inside your comfortable, air-conditioned minivan outside your centrally located Sofia hotel. Then, journey out of the capital to Rila, a picturesque mountain range in southwestern Bulgaria. As you travel, discover how Rila is the highest range in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, and learn more about the day’s itinerary from your expert guide.
After around 1.5 hours on the road, arrive in the ski-resort of Panichishte. Climb out of your minivan and then board the chairlift up to the Rila Lakes mountain hut. During the 30-minute ride, feel refreshed by the mountain air and revel in the jaw-dropping panoramas of the surrounding mountains.
On arrival at the Seven Rila Lakes cirque — a chain of deep-blue lakes, each named in accordance to its shape, that lead up toward the Rila Mountains’ highest peaks — set off on foot to explore the scenic sights. With your map in-hand and your guide leading the way, stroll at a leisurely pace along the hiking trails.
Wander amid rugged peaks and deep valleys, stopping along the way to capture photos. Pause by the impressive lower lake, Dolnoto Ezero, where the water that flows out of the higher lakes is gathered. See Ribnoto Ezero (‘Fish Lake’), the shallowest of the lakes, and Bliznaka (‘The Twin’), which is the largest of the cirque. Marvel at the irregular shapes of Trilistnika (‘The Trefoil’) and Babreka (‘The Kidney’). Then, see oval Okoto (‘The Eye’) before ascending to Salzata (‘The Tear’), the highest of the lakes, where awe-inspiring vistas await.
During the hike, there will be frequent rest stops. You’ll also have the opportunity to stop for food at either one of the two huts passed. Choose from the small selection of dishes, such as soup or grilled meat (own expense), or if you’ve brought your own food with you, enjoy lunch al fresco.
After around four or five hours of hiking, return to your minivan and relax on the journey back to your hotel in Sofia.
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