1-Day Seven Rila Lakes Trek from Sofia with Cable Car Ride

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Trek through Rila National Park to the picturesque Seven Rila Lakes
• 02 Ride the cable car to Hut "Rilski Lakes" before ascending to the "Tear" lake
• 03 Take in panoramic views of the Vitosha, Osogovo, and Stara Planina mountains
• 04 See a secret waterfall and Bulgaria's only natural geyser

Embark on a one-day tour to the famous Rila National Park and discover the picturesque Seven Rila Lakes. Enjoy a cable car ride to Hut "Rilski Lakes" before trekking from 1800 m to 2500 m, reaching the final lake known as the "Tear." Along the way, take in panoramic views of the Vitosha, Osogovo, and Stara Planina mountains, and end the experience with a visit to a secret waterfall and Bulgaria's only natural geyser.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Vitosha, Osogovo, and Stara Planina mountains as you walk all day in Rila National Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Sofia, Rila

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Sofia to Panichishte and the Seven Rila Lakes

• Meet your tour guide and set out to explore the Seven Rila Lakes and a secret waterfall on this guided trip.
• Transfer to Panichishte (1.5 hours) to take the cable car to Hut "Rilski Lakes" (2150 m). Your trek starts at 1800 m altitude and ends at 2500 m at the last lake, called the "Tear." All of the lakes are glacial, and their names are connected to their shapes - the Kidney, Twin, Fish Lake, the Eye, and Trefoil. Enjoy panoramic views of the Vitosha, Osogovo, and Stara Planina mountains as you walk all day in Rila National Park.
• At the end of the tour, see Bulgaria's only natural geyser and a stunning waterfall.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Professional English-speaking Bulgarian tour guide

• Small-group tour

• Transportation from Sofia

What's Not Included

• Food and drinks

• Lift ticket (round trip): 10 EUR

Know before you go

• Meeting point: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 8:00 am.

• Return time: 5:00 pm.

• Duration: 7.5 hours.

• Don't forget your warm clothes and comfortable trekking shoes.

• Bring a bottle of water.

• Lunch is available at the nearby Hut "Seven Rila Lakes," or you can bring a dry packed lunch.

• A Spanish-speaking guide is also available.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Sofia, Bulgaria

Tour start

Sofia, Bulgaria

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.