The most-visited group of lakes in Bulgaria are the Seven Rila Lakes. These glacial lakes are found 6,800 feet above sea level in the Rila Mountains.
The lakes are named after their prominent characteristics. The Salzata has the clearest waters. The Okoto is shaped like an oval. It is also the deepest lake in Bulgaria, of 112.5 feet. The Babreka has the steepest shores. Each lake feeds into the next with small streams. Along those streams, you will find small waterfalls.
The Seven Rila Lakes are paradise on earth for nature lovers and hikers alike. From the Lake Mount, you will get the best view of almost all of the lakes. You can even see all of them in one day if you start early enough in the morning.
Be sure to visit in summertime when the temperatures are a balmy 10°C, instead of during the winter months when the lakes freeze over, and the risk of storms is higher. If you visit in August, pack your white clothes and join in the Paneurhythmy Dance during the festival to celebrate the rising sun.
The seven Rila glacial naturally created lakes named as follows:
Salzata (“The Tear”) so named because of clear water
Okoto (“The Eye”) so named because of its oval shape
Babreka (“The Kidney”) so named because it is the steepest of the shores
Bliznaka (“The Twin”) so named because it is the largest in area
Trilistnika (“The Trefoil”) so named because of irregular shape and low shores
Ribnoto (“Fish lake”) because it is the shallowest lake
Dolnoto ezero (“The Lower lake”) take a guess?
From Sofia to Ovchartsi (by bus) and from Ovchartsi to Seven Rila Lakes (by taxi)
will take 1 hour 20 minutes by Bus and cost 6 BGN to 8 BGN
From Ovchartsi to Seven Rila Lakes
will take 43 minutes by Taxi distance to be covered is 21.1 km and the cost is 22 BGN to 28 BGN
Sofia to Dupnica (by train) and from Dupnica to Seven Rila Lakes (by taxi)
2 hours 7 minutes by Train, costing 6 BGN to 8 BGN
Dupnica to Seven Rila Lakes
59 minutes by Taxi traveling a distance of 34.9 km costing 38 BGN to 44 BGN
Taking a taxi directly from Sofia to Seven Rila Lakes will take 1 hour 47 minutes to travel a distance of 99 km and the one-way fare will be 100 BGN to 120 BGN.
The attraction is always open.
The following are the lift timings:
Rilski Ezera chair lift opening hours
Summer (July to August)
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday: 12:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
June and September
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday: 12:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Winter
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you depend on the lift to get down, double-check the lift’s closing time and be back at the station at least 15 minutes before.
Waiting Time
Entrance Fee
If you go hiking you do not have to pay.
To use the lift that takes about 20 minutes to reach the destination the charges are as follows:
Lift’s prices :
Tickets Adults Children, Seniors, Disabled
Return 18 leva 12 leva
One way 10 leva 8 leva
Lift’s prices for cards (allows you to get on the lift as many times as you want to):
Cards Adults Children, Seniors, Disabled
One day 28 leva 20 leva
Half-Day 20 leva 17 leva
Two Days 50 leva 36 leva
Three Days 69 leva 50 leva
Four Days 90 leva 65 leva
Five Days 110 leva 79 leva
Six Days 132 leva 95 leva
Week 150 leva 108 leva
Time you can spend
Weather
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