One of our most favorite destinations, the 7 Rila Lakes, is without a doubt also one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bulgaria. Spending several days in the Sapareva Banya and dedicating one of those days to the lakes is an amazing idea, but did you know you can also add them to your list of day trips while in Sofia?
From Sofia to the 7 Rila Lakes
According to Google Maps, the journey from Sofia to the beginning of the lift (which is also the start of the hiking path if you choose to walk) is approximately 1h and 30 minutes. Check this link for more info. Don’t forget to check out the list of awesome cars we’re described in details for you (rented from our very good friends at Val &Kar).
If you’re not driving, check this link for shuttle services from Sofia to the 7 Rila Lakes.
1. What to wear when going to the 7 Rila Lakes?
I guess I don’t need to tell you that your clothes shoud be comfy. This is a hiking place and although it is not the toughest one you can find, it can’t be compared to the paved city streets. Here’s my list of recommendations:
- Trousers
I prefer long ones as they protect my legs from scratches, but it’s up to you. Decathlon (which happens to be one of our favorite stores) offers some really cool ones that can easily turn into shorts. Check them out here (and yes, they are also suitable for ladies, nevermind what the website says). - Shoes with a very good grip
Preferably waterproof as well – mountain weather is quite unpredictable and you never know what will happen. We personally prefer the hunting section in Decathlon to the hiking one, but both have some really cool things. - T-Shirt
- Jacket
Do not think you won’t need it just because it’s summer. Go for a jacket with a hoodie, preferably a wind stopper. This (link) jacket for ladies is absolutely beautiful and this here (link) is also an amazing idea. Here (link) is something for guys as well.
2. What to pack?
- Dry tissues (Kleenex).
- Wet tissues (always need one when I don’t have any)
- Water bottle. Check this one here and buy something similar (plastic changes the quality of your water and we don’t recommend it).
- A second T-Shirt.
- You camera (!).
- Sunglasses (!).
- Sunscreen (if your skin is sensitive).
3. Weather on the 7 Rila Lakes
Check the weather forecast on this link before you go. Even though it’s in Bulgarian, you’ll understand the most important things. The 2 pictures you will see there are changed every 30 seconds, so you can also see the what it looks like at this very moment.
5. The lift taking you from Panichishte to the 7 Rila Lakes
Lift’s working hours: 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
This basically means that the lift stops at 4:30 p.m. so if you’re planning on using it on your way back, you want to make sure you’re there 4 p.m. the latest!
For the summer season of 2017 the lift will operate every day from 9 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. On Monday the lift doesn’t start until 12:00 lunch time (weekly check-up time to ensure everything is good with it).
The phone number of the lift is 0884 163 479.
Lift’s prices :
| Tickets | Adults | Children, Seniors, Disabled |
| Return | 18 leva (€ 9) | 12 leva (€ 6) |
| One way | 10 leva (€ 5) | 8 leva (€ 4) |
Lift’s prices for cards (allowing you to get on the lift as many times as you wish):
| Cards | Adults | Children, Seniors, Disabled |
| One day | 28 leva (€ 14) | 20 leva (€ 10) |
| Half Day | 20 leva (€ 10) | 17 leva (€ 8.5) |
| Two Days | 50 leva (€ 25) | 36 leva (€ 18) |
| Three Days | 69 leva (€ 34.5) | 50 leva (€ 25) |
| Four Days | 90 leva (€ 45) | 65 leva (€ 32.5) |
| Five Days | 110 leva (€ 55) | 79 leva (€ 39.5) |
| Six Days | 132 leva (€ 66) | 95 leva (€ 47.5) |
| Week | 150 leva (€ 75) | 108 leva (€ 54) |
The journey with the lift takes about 20 minutes. Here’s a little preview of what it looks like in the end of April:
6. How long does it take to see all 7 Rila Lakes?
The lift from Panichishte takes you up in the mountain where you can begin your trip to the 7 Rila Lakes. The first thing you will see is the chalet where you can have a cup of coffee or tea or use the loo. When you’re ready you can begin your walk.
There are two ways to see all the lakes. The beginning of path one is located to the right of the entrance of the chalet and begins with a serious incline. The other path begins behind the chalet. Although many choose the first one, I personally prefer path #2 (behind the chalet) – I personally find it more beautiful.
The path takes you around 5 of the lakes. If you want to see all 7 of them, you will have to make 2 detours. The first 5 lakes will take you about 3 hours (depending on your speed) and if you decide to see all 7 you will need about 5. Of course, I strongly recommend you spend as much time as you can there and enjoy every moment – the scenery is absolutely incredible!
Info: We do not make any commission from the links in this article and are not paid by neither of the companies presented here. We have recommended the items we use and the companies we trust.
7. The 7 Rila Lakes Route Explained
Over time I’ve come to realise that many people are confused by the route on the 7 Rila lakes, so here it is, explained. The dashed line marked as #1 is the general route that starts from the Rila Lakes chalet – precisely where the lift ends & begins. This path allows you to see 5 of the lakes. If you’d like to see all 7 you’ll need to continue on the path #2. It starts with an ascent right after the Kidney Lake. There’s no way to miss it – the path is obvious and there’s are usually people on it.
Hi Nina,
Thanks for all the info 🙂
We plan to arrive to Sofia in the end of October,
do you know if the trails are open for hiking?
We plan to arrive with a 2 years old baby, do you know if it’s possible to do it with her?
Is there a viewpoint over all the lakes with a bit of walking?
Thank you!
Hi Nina,
What a wonderful post, and just what I need to get more information on the hike around the 7 Rila lakes. Quick question – would you classify the hike as easy or medium? And would you require walking sticks?
Thanks.
Hello
We are plan to visit Malyovitsa hut after visiting Ivan Vazov and from Malyovitsa hut we plan to go down to the area of Central Mountain School “Malyovitsa” ski area.
From Malyovitsa we are planning to go east on the red mark and then north on the blue to the green and to the ski resort.
From there we need to go to Pionerska hut (to take our car).
My quetion is – How beutiful is the route from the ski area to Pionerska hut going through Vada hut? Is it worth to hike this or it kind of a waste of time and it will be better to find a car that will take us from the ski area to Pionerska hut? (It is a long hike – 17km~ if we will do all the way by foot).
Thanks a lot
Roy
Hi! I am planning to do this hike in August with my dogs. I was wondering if it’s possible to walk to the lakes instead of taking the lift, and if so… is it too hard? Thank you 🙂 This post is super helpful!
Your blog is so helpful and I am very excited for my hike tomorrow! It is last minute but I want to do all 7 lakes and have not been able to find a map that shows how to get to them and still return to the Panichishte lift. If the 5 lakes is a circular path where does one turn to go see lakes 6 & 7? Are there signs?
Thank you!
Wendy
Hi,
When you wrote 5 hours is that both ways?
about how long is the walk going up?
Thank you
Beautifully said and in full detail Nina! I hope you could help me with some information, i am planning for a trip to Bulgaria this June with a 2-night stay in Rila. I’ve been running around in circles on the how to get to Rila via bus. Do you have any recommendations on how to get there and the best guesthouse? Is 3D2N enough to visit the place? I’m sorry, but this place makes me giddy! Thank you in advance! 🙂
Hi Nina!
I’ll be in Bulgaria in Spring this year and of course I’d like to grasp a bit of the wonderful views in the Rila Mountains. We will precisely be there on April 28. Even if there’s snow it would be nice to have the possibility to go up the lift to the Seven Lakes. But unfortunately the page (rilskiezera.bg) is only in Bulgarian… Do you know if the lift is open at that date? Thanks!!!
Alberto
hi, would you recommend the lakes in december?
Hi Nina, I am trying to get a trip for tomorrow 18/09 and it is becoming quite dificult. DO you know if it is possible? I would like to join some already organised trip since I dont want to pay 100 euros by myself.
I tried calling the number you write up here but they couldnt speak English.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
We are going to visit the lake on 4 July. I have the following questions:
1. How it is possible to get to the Pionerska Hut Lift from Sapareva Banya center?
2. Do we need to book the lift tickets in advance ? (to avoid a lifr queue).
3. Do we need a guide for the tour?
Best Regards
Hi Nina! I read on another site that the lift up to the lakes doesn’t open on Mondays until around 12 noon…is this true? We will be there at the end of July and are trying to decide if Monday morning is a viable option for a 9am start! Thanks for your help.
Hello Nina, Thank you for the very helpful information! I’ll be in Sofia next week and would like to visit the 7 Rila lakes. I’ve found the opening times for the lift from June-September but no details for other months. Do you know if it’s possible to use the lift before June? And I’ll be driving so just wondering if it’s possible to park the car close to the lift? Thank you!
Hey Nina, I will be visiting Bulgaria in the last week of May. Would that be a good time for hiking in Rila to the monastery and the seven lakes? Any idea how cold will it be?
We’re planning a trip to the 7 lakes. Where we have to take the lift: in Panichishte or in Pionerska?
For the walk around 5 lakes – do we need a map or can we do it whithout. Is it possible to download the route how to walk? Is the walk marked? Many thanks for some extra info. On your site I’ve found the best info during my search. Tnx
Hey!!
Thanks for all the info very helpful. Do you know what it will be like to climb the end of May? I am aware this is just before summer season.
hi, im planning on going there with my father, but he cant really walk… is it worth going there just to sightsee from the car?
hi, Im traveling with my father and it is very hard for him to walk. is it possible to tour the rila mountains with car?
I am thinking of going there at the end of December. Does anyone know what it is going to be like? Will it still be beautiful in snow? Thanks.
Nice post and very cute photos :))) One tip from me – avoid the weekends. It is too crowded.