Category Seven Rila Lakes Hikes

Bulgaria · SEVEN RILA LAKES HIKES

The 15 Best Seven Rila Lakes Hikes

16 reviewed

Seven glacial lakes stacked up a mountainside at 2,100 to 2,500 metres, reached by a chairlift and then your own legs. This page sorts the trips that get you there: which include the lift, how much climbing each involves, when the snow finally clears, and what to do if the cloud comes down.

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia - 7:00 a.m. pickup and a quick cathedral moment in Sofia

1.Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

One day from Sofia to see the Seven Rila Lakes and UNESCO Rila Monastery, with smooth shared transfers and self-guided hiking.

“The entire day is incredible! The guide was informative, friendly, spoke great English and had a good sense of humour! The seven lakes was beautiful, not to challenging at all and finished within a few hours! But you need to do this hike, it’s stunning! The monastery was so rich in history as well, very stunning and a special place to visit”

Check availability →Read our full review

7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour - Seven Rila Lakes: lift up, then climb, then choose how many

2.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $71

A full day from Sofia to Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes, with air-conditioned comfort, free monastery entry, and lift access.

“It was amazing! Love the nature and all beautiful places around I’ve seen during this trip! Guide is the best!”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery - Getting out of Sofia early: the real start is 7:00

3.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $54

From Sofia, ride the chairlift to the Seven Rila Lakes and hike the valley, then visit UNESCO Rila Monastery in one tight day.

“The hike up to the lakes was a challenge but well worth it. The views are spectacular. The hike down was also a challenge as the path is rocky. The monastery is beautiful and our guide was both informative and respectful. A great day out.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia - Weather is the swing factor: wind, rain, and winter surprises

4.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

Guided hike in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains Seven Lakes area, then a 103 C soak at Sapareva Banya, with transport from Sofia.

“Disappointing and scary experience. The car was in shambles, unclean. We didn’t hike the mountains, it wasn’t great! The tour guide was not up to scratch sadly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia - Getting Up Early, Then Rila Mountains Hut Hops

Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

Seven Rila Lakes - Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain - Cable car reality check: 30 BGN cash on the spot

6.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $35

A small-group day hike from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes, with minivan transport, mountain cable car access, and clear route help.

“The hike was beautiful albeit quite difficult, it's important that tbe weather is good though. Our guide was nice and responsible, but the minibus was in a really bad shape and very uncomfortable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools - Rila National Park start: Panichishte, cable car, and lake altitudes

7.Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Snowshoe the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila National Park, then soak in mineral pools at Kotvata with pickup from Sofia.

“had a wonderful day trip. It was a quick hour and half drive from Sofia. Some climbing and great views. Veselin was a knowledgeable and informative guide. I'm glad that I chose this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour - Panichiste chairlift: included hike, paid lift

8.The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia with a comfort-first minivan ride and a flexible, moderately strenuous day in Rila National Park.

“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sofia: Small group to Seven Rila Lakes and Skakavitsa waterfall

Sofia: Small group to Seven Rila Lakes and Skakavitsa waterfall - Seven Rila Lakes: the hike that builds to a true viewpoint

Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery

Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery - Seven Rila Lakes stop: what the route feels like

10.Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 10 to 30 minutes (approx.) · from $156

Seven Rila Lakes hike, a hot 103°C geyser, and Rila Monastery from Sofia, with small-group comfort and altitude views.

“My favorite part of Bulgaria! Unfortunately, the lifts weren’t open while we were there, which I was really looking forward to seeing the lakes, but we pivoted and went on a beautiful hike instead.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket

Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket - The chairlift ride up to the mountain hut

11.Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $143

Guided chairlift hike from Sofia to Seven Rila Lakes, visiting seven named lakes, with hotel pickup and a small-group expert guide.

“I went on this hike August 29th. Meto was my guide. He is very knowledgeable about the area. He has a great respect for nature and the area. He made the hike very entertaining and informative. Pick up and transportation was very easy. I would highly recommend METO as a guide as well! He knew the best routes to stay away from the crowds and the best spots for taking pictures. This hike was a great way to see nature and the beauty that Bulgaria has to offer.I would recommend this to any one who loves nature. likes to hike/walk and is in moderate shape.”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Ultimate Snowmobile Adventure – 7 Rila Lakes & Panichishte

The Ultimate Snowmobile Adventure - 7 Rila Lakes & Panichishte - Picking Your Ride Length: 30 Minutes, 1 Hour, 2 Hours Plus Lunch, 4-5 Hours, or Extreme

12.The Ultimate Snowmobile Adventure – 7 Rila Lakes & Panichishte

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31Best value

Snowmobile adventure from Seven Rila Lakes area near Panichishte, with English instructor guidance, gear included, and options up to 4-5 hours in Bulgaria.

“I was probably among the first to have the activity and use the fresh snow. Very well-maintained snowmobiles, excellent guide and scenic route. Would come back again for sure!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private tour: Rila Mountains and The Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia

Private tour: Rila Mountains and The Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia - Lift Ticket and the Real Cost of Convenience

Private & Tremendous Jeep Safari in the 7 Rila Lakes area

Private & Tremendous Jeep Safari in the 7 Rila Lakes area - Private, open jeep safari basics you should know up front

14.Private & Tremendous Jeep Safari in the 7 Rila Lakes area

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $149

Private open jeep safari from Sapareva Banya into Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains, plus a spa stop and optional 7 Rila Lakes hike.

“Excellent activity with a private and new jeep with a superb guide. The route was great, the views, the information, the stop with magnificent views. Really recommend to everyone in the area. That was a fabulous experience and these guys know how to do it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sofia: Seven Rila lakes- private tour

From Sofia: Seven Rila lakes- private tour - Panichiste Resort and the 25-Minute Chairlift