These seven mountain lakes are one of the biggest attractions in Bulgaria!

In the very west of Bulgaria, only an hour and a half away from the capital Sofia, is the mountain Rila, the highest in this country and among the highest in the Balkans. In its embrace, which also has the status of a national park, besides the highest peak of Musal, which rises to a dizzying 2925 meters above sea level, and around 40 of them higher than 2600 meters, it hides waterfalls and about 200 glacial lakes.

Among them, the most famous are the Seven Rila lakes, which have beautiful views that everyone who sets foot on Bulgarian soil must visit.

Seven Rila lakes, Twin lake, Photo: Dudlajzov Depositphotos

These Seven Rila lakes are by nature glacial lakes located in the northwest of the mountain at an altitude of 2,100 to 2,500 meters.

They are scattered at the foot of the massive circle formed by the Suhi Chal, Otovishki, and Haramiya peaks, and they got their names both for their shape and some of their characteristics.

Seven Rila lakes, Photo: Dudlajzov Depositphotos

The highest lake of all of them is Lake Tear (Bulg. Salzata) and it is located at 2535 meters above sea level just below the Otovishki peak. It covers 0.7 hectares, is only 4.5 meters deep, and got its name from its crystal clear water.

Next is Lake Eye (bulg. Okoto), which is located at 2440 meters above sea level. It covers 6.8 hectares, and with a depth of 37.5 meters, it is the deepest of all seven lakes and the deepest round lake in Bulgaria. It got its name, of course, from its oval shape.

Seven Rila lakes, Lake Oko, Photo: Glagoli, Public domain

In terms of altitude, Lake Kidney (Bulg. Babreka) is third, located at 2,282 meters above sea level. Of course, it got its name because it resembles the human organ of the same name, and it covers 8.5 hectares and has a depth of 28 meters.

The next lake is Twin (Bliznaka), which is also the largest in terms of surface with 9.1 hectares, and is located at 2243 meters above sea level. The depth of this lake reaches 27.5 meters. It got its name because, during the drought, the lake turned into two smaller ones.

Seven Rila lakes, Kidney lake, Photo: Marintse, CC BY-SA 4.0

Down the path, already at the foot of Haramiya Peak, there is Trefoil Lake (Bulg. Trilistnika). It is located at 2,216 meters above sea level, extends over 2.6 hectares, and its depth reaches 6.5 meters. Fish Lake (Bulg. Ribnoto ezero) continues further and is located at 2184 meters above sea level. Its total area is 3.5 hectares, but its depth is only 2.5 meters, which makes it the shallowest of all Seven Rila lakes.

The last one, Lower Lake (Bulg. Dolnoto ezero) is located at 2095 meters above sea level. It has an area of ​​5.9 hectares and a depth of 11 meters. It got its name because it is the lowest of all.

What is interesting about these lakes is that, apart from making this already beautiful landscape even more beautiful, some of them even have fish, and narrow streams connect all the lakes.

Seven Rila lakes, Lower lake, Photo: DanailVasilev, CC BY-SA 4.0

Of course, the best time to visit them is during late spring and summer, when the snow completely melts, but they also look magical in winter. For a visit in the winter months, you will still need to have better equipment and know more about the weather conditions.

If your journey takes you to Bulgaria, make sure to not miss them!