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The Seven Rila Lakes Classic
Days 3 Distance 29.3 km Ascent 1290 m Descent 2240 m Difficulty level 2/5
This three-day track explores the most prominent part of the Rila National Park. It includes the Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery. Taking you through spectacular mountain scenery, this trail is rich in both natural history and cultural landmarks.
What to expect:
Three-day hut to hut hike in the Rila National Park;
To be leaded by experienced guide (if guided option is chosen);
Easy orienting (for the self-guided option);
To spend one night in a warm and cozy hut and one night in the Rila Monastery;
Breakfast and dinner provided by the hut-keeper.
Trip Highlights
- A walk and a night in the area of the Seven Rila Lakes;
- A visit and a night at The Rila Monastery, the most impressive monastery complex in Bulgaria;
- The starting point of the walk is helped by a chair-lift.
Trek Suitability
For those who want to join, should be:
- Fit and active traveler. Part of the trail is over rocky terrain that makes the hike more challenging.
- Ready to spend 2 nights in the heart of the mountain. Each night the accommodation is in a different hut so it is important to pack light.
- Please note that this is a working monastery and a holy place, so visitors should respect this.
- Walk 3 days (4-6 hours) up to 14 km each day over a roughs ground.
Difficulty: Despite the fact that the trail is at the most Alpine part of the mountains, it is without big ascends and descends, the length of the walk is moderate and there is plenty of time to relax at the edge of the lakes, engulfing the tranquillity of the nature. The walk is helped by the chair-lift Seven Rila Lakes that saves you 500 m ascending.
Accommodation: The hut Vazov is well-maintained; the hut-keeper offers food and beverages. The hut is frequently visited, so you need to book the beds in advance. A night at the holy place like the Rila Monastery is an unique experience. Outside the monastery complex there are several restaurants.
Transport: The area of the chair-lift is easily reachable from the capital city Sofia. The Rila Monastery is connected by buses with the towns of Rila, Blagoevgrad and Dupnitsa.
Security: The trail is totally secure. It is along well marked paths. Nevertheless, we recommend the using of a navigation application on the mobile phone or a real GPS device. The area is served by the mountain rescue teams.
Itinerary
Ask for more information here:
Prices Per Person For 3 Days/ 2Nights::
99 EUR per person in the self guided option
What Is Included In The Price:
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OPTION |
SELF-GUIDED |
GUIDED TRIP |
Accommodation in the huts |
√ |
√ |
Detailed Itinerary |
√ |
√ |
GPS Track of your trail |
√ |
√ |
Time tables of public transport |
√ |
√ |
Taxi companies contacts |
√ |
√ |
Phone and e-mail assistance |
√ |
√ |
English speaking guide |
X |
√ |
Luggage transfer |
X |
X |
Meals and drinks |
X |
X |
Travel insurance |
X |
X |
Travel to and from Bulgaria
|
X |
X |
In Brief
RANGE
|
Active
|
TRIP TYPE
|
Hut to Hut Tour
|
STARTS
|
Panichishte,Chair lift
|
ENDS
|
Rila Monastery
|
DEPARTS
|
June - October
|
GROUP SIZE
|
Min 1 / Max 20
|
ACCOMMODATION
|
Common rooms
|
TOUR GUIDE
|
Yes/No - guided/self guided
|
MEALS |
Yes, against payment |
COUNTRY
|
Bulgaria
|
Book here:
The Prices Start From 99 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
Day1one
Start of the trip
Lift 7 Rila Lakes - Vazov hut
The day starts off with the chair-lift that gets you to the area of the Seven Rila Lakes. You will pass a splendid trail, winding up along the Lakes. They are a group of glacial lakes scattered around the steps in a huge rocky “amphitheater” and surrounded by cragged peaks and sheer flanks of majestic ridges. At the end you will go down to the Vazov hut.
Hiking stats
Overnight:
Day2two
Ivan Vazov hut - Rila Monastery
Ivan Vazov hut - Rila Monastery
This stage is a long descending to the valley of Rilska river, where is located one of the landmarks of Rila Mountain-the Rila Monastery. Walking along an open ridge, you will have a nice panorama all day long towards the adverse slopes and peaks.
Hiking stats:
Overnight:
Day3three
End of the trip
Monastery-Old Hermitage
Apart from visiting the Monastery, we offer you a walk that will lead you to an area connected with the history of the hermit Ivan Rilski (St John). In the area you can visit a small temple with the grave of the saint, the cave where he spent 12 years, a holy spring and a rock from which the saint had prayed.
Hiking stats:
How the “Self-guided trip” option works:
If you prefer to explore the mountain at your own pace, than chose the option “Self-guided trip”. In this case we will provide you a package of materials, including a written hike description together with a customized travel itinerary, GPS tracks of your trail and local information. In order to make your independent hiking tour a success we will do all of the necessary arrangements. That is why the accommodations in the package are prepaid.
The prices start from 99 EUR*
* per person in self-guided option.
