There are places that leave a stronger mark than others—spots where you feel both small before the immensity of nature and deeply connected to it. Our getaway to the Seven Rila Lakes was one of those. Get comfortable, we share it with you.
We had heard so much about the Seven Rila lakes, often described as one of Bulgaria’s jewels. Yet nothing had prepared us for the unique experience we lived up there, between mountain peaks, silence, and breathtaking landscapes. Today, we want to take you with us on this journey we made in Seven Rila Lakes, in June 2022, together with my 8-month-old daughter (very likely the youngest hiker on the trail that day) and my parents.
📍 Why the Seven Rila Lakes Are So Special
The Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria and the Balkans, with Mount Musala rising to 2,925 meters. But their greatness isn’t only about numbers. This is a profoundly symbolic mountain.
Its name is thought to come from a word meaning “well-watered mountain”—and indeed, Rila is full of springs, streams, and glacial lakes. For centuries, this land has attracted those seeking solitude and peace. The famous Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila, stands as a witness. This hermit chose to live here, in a cave, far from the world, in search of spirituality.
Higher still, between 2,100 and 2,500 meters of altitude, the Seven Rila Lakes hold a special place in the Bulgarian imagination. People say they emit a unique energy and that each represents an aspect of human life: purity, vision, strength, love, joy, creativity, and connection.
Their name is simply due to the fact that there are seven, each with a unique shape, color, and personality. Bulgarians consider them a sacred place, where nature and energy vibrate differently. Also, they have beautiful Bulgarian names that reflect their character:
- The Tear (Сълзата) – the highest, with crystal-clear waters.
- The Eye (Окото) – deep and mysterious blue.
- The Kidney (Бъбрека) – kidney-shaped, one of the most photogenic.
- The Twin (Близнака) – two basins connected into one lake.
- The Trefoil (Трилистника) – with irregular shores.
- The Fish Lake (Рибното езеро) – rich in fauna.
- The Lower Lake (Долното) – the lowest, collecting the waters of all the others.
Once you see them, it’s easy to understand why this place fascinates so many.
📍 The Start: Heading into the Mountains
My weekend began early in the morning, from the small house we had rented for a long weekend close to the main sights. After about 30 minutes of winding roads, we reached the base of the massif, near the Panichishte resort (with prices). From there, a chairlift quickly carries you up in altitude.
Sitting on the suspended chair, I watched the fir trees passing beneath my feet. I feel less dizzy on the way up than I do going down. I wasn’t alone in discovering the Seven Rila Lakes for the first time: my parents, visiting from France, and my very young daughter, Laura, just 8 months old, were embarking on this adventure with me.
The higher we climbed, the fresher and purer the air became. I could already feel myself leaving the frantic rhythm of city life and stepping into another dimension. About 20 minutes later, at roughly 2,100 meters, the adventure truly began.
📍 The Trail Opens : First Emotions
The trail is well-marked but not always easy, especially with a baby in a carrier. It starts from the mountain hut. I was very cautious and took my time. The ascent required effort, particularly as the air grew thinner. But step by step, nature rewarded us. Valleys opened endlessly, and suddenly, the first lake appeared.
And if I’m not mistaken, it was Dolnoto Ezero (Долното), the lowest lake (around 2,000 m). I stopped in my tracks. Before me, perfectly still water mirrored the sky, like glass laid between mountains. Total silence, disturbed only by birdsong and the faint whisper of the wind. At that moment, I understood that this escape would be more than just a hike. It would be a sensory and spiritual experience.
Eventually we reached five of the Seven Rila lakes : the Lower Lake (Долното), the Fish Lake (Рибното езеро), the Kidney (Бъбрека), the Trefoil (Трилистника), and the Twin (Близнака).
However we didn’t went to the highest and probably most impressive one, the Tear (Сълзата). Carrying such a young baby, I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks to reach the peak. But that simply gives me a wonderful reason to return in a few years—this time with Laura walking by my side, maybe even climbing all the way to the top with me.
Still, the lakes we did visit were nothing short of spectacular. We were blown away.
📍 A Hike Between Sky and Earth
What struck me most wasn’t only the beauty of each lake, but also the trail linking them. Walking up there feels like balancing on a delicate line between sky and earth. Breath shortens, muscles strain, but every effort is rewarded by an even more spectacular view.
At times, turning back, I saw the whole valley stretching behind me, bathed in light. At others, I met hikers from across Europe (though there weren’t many that day), all smiling, as if this place had the power to unite souls.
📍 A Spiritual Dimension Of The Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes aren’t just beautiful—they carry a mystical aura. Every summer, on August 19, the spiritual movement of the Universal White Brotherhood, founded by Peter Deunov, gathers here. Dressed in white, hundreds of people dance in circles a choreography called “Paneurhythmy,” meant to harmonize humans with nature and the cosmos.
Although I didn’t witness this ritual myself, just imagining the scene gives me chills. Even without ceremony, the energy of this place is palpable. Many times I simply stopped to breathe, listen to the silence, and feel the nearly tangible vibration.
Some say meditating by each lake lets you receive different energies. Whether you believe that or not doesn’t matter—what counts is the peace you feel.
📍 My Feeling: A Return to the Essentials
This hike was a pause in time. Up there, far from noise and screens, I reconnected with something simple and essential: the joy of breathing deeply, of walking, of being amazed by raw nature. Yes, there were moments of fatigue, even doubt—I didn’t want to slip while holding my daughter—but above all there were moments of serenity. Before these millennia-old lakes, everyday worries shrink. You feel small, yet infinitely alive.
📍 Practical Information for Your Visit
🏞️ Access: From Sofia, about 1h30 drive to Panichishte. Then, take the chairlift (around 20 minutes) to the starting point.
☀️ Best season: June to October. In winter, trails are often covered with snow.
🕐 Duration: Plan a full day to see all the lakes.
🥾 Gear: Good hiking shoes, warm clothing (even in summer, the wind can be icy), water, and snacks.
💪 Level: Moderate difficulty. Accessible to motivated hikers, but some slopes are steep. Trekking poles are very helpful.
📍 Personal Tips
- Take your time: it’s not a race. Savor each lake, sit down, breathe.
- Avoid peak weekends if possible, to enjoy the calm.
- Respect the place: leave no trace. Nature here is precious—let’s protect it.
📍 Heading Back: A Desire to Return
Then, when the time came to descend into the valley, I kept looking back, as if trying to imprint those images forever in my mind. The Seven Rila Lakes are not just a tourist destination. They’re an experience to live. An outward journey, but also an inner one. Up there, in contact with water, pure air, and silence, you realize how simple happiness can be: breathing, walking, contemplating.
I returned to Sofia with a full memory card and an infinitely light heart. And with one certainty: I will go back. Some places call us again and again.
✨ If you’re looking for a getaway in Bulgaria that combines hiking, nature, and spirituality, look no further: the Seven Rila Lakes are waiting for you.
