Seven Rila Lakes
Hiking in the area of Seven Rila lakes, located in the territory of the Rila Nature Park in Bulgaria, is among the most beautiful and magical experiences that you can have when you are visiting Bulgaria. The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of glacial lakes situated one above the other. The altitude of the lowest lake is 2100 metres above sea level, and the altitude of the highest lake is 2500 metres. The magnificent view revealed from the top of the Seven Rila Lakes depicts the astonishing beauty of nature. Thus, if you ever consider visiting Bulgaria and you love hiking, I do recommend that you spend a day hiking in the area of the Seven Rila Lakes, where you can enjoy the fresh air and the wonderful views of the Rila Mountains. The hiking of the Seven Rila Lakes starts with taking the chair lift from Panichishte resort, located at an altitude of 1400 metres in the Northwestern Rila Mountains. The lift goes up to 2100 metres and from there the trail is moderate to walk with some steep rocky areas that are a bit more difficult. Therefore, when you go hiking the Seven Rila lakes in the Rila Mountains, be sure that you have comfortable shoes suitable for the mountains. The best time of the year to visit the breathtaking area of the Rila Mountains and hike the Seven Rila Lakes is during the summer.
The Tear Lake (in Bulgarian is called Sulzata) - this is the lake that is located on the highest point of the group of the Seven Rila Lakes. It is named The Tear due to its cristal clear waters.
Altitude: 2535
Area: 0.7 ha
Depth 4.5 m
The Eye Lake (in Bulgarian called Okoto) - it is named after its almost perfectly oval form. The Eye Lake is the deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria, with a depth of 37.5 m.
Altitude: 2,440
Area: 6.8 ha
Depth 37.5 m
The Kidney Lake – (in Bulgarian called Bubreka) it is named after its shape that resembles the shape of a kidney. The Kidney Lake has the steepest shores of the entire group of the Seven Rila Lakes.
Altitude: 2,282
Area: 8.5 ha
Depth 28.0 m
The Twin Lake (in Bulgarian called Bliznaka) is the largest lake by are from the group of Seven Rila Lakes.
Altitude: 2,243
Area: 9.1 ha
Depth 27.5 m
The Trefoil Lake (in Bulgarian called - Trilistnika) has an irregular shape and low shores.
Altitude: 2,216
Area: 2.5 ha
Depth 6.5 m
The Fish Lake (in Bulgarian called Ribnoto Ezero ) - this is the shallowest lake from the group of the Rila Lakes.
Altitude: 2,184
Area: 3.5 ha
Depth 2.5 m
The Lower Lake (in Bulgarian called Dolnoto Ezero) - this is the lowest lake from the group of the Seven Rila Lakes and the waters that flow out of the other lakes are gathered here to form the Dzherman River.
Altitude: 2,095
Area: 5.9 ha
Depth 11.0 m