The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour

Overview

Available languages

German

Russian

English

Italian

French

Spanish

8 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

This whole-day trek to the Rila Mountains is meant for people, who would like to walk in a leisurely pace among its jewels - The Seven Rila Lakes. You will have enough time to get to the highest of all lakes and enjoy the super scenery revealed from there.

Enjoy a self-guided hike among nature

Marvel at the views of the Seven Rila lakes

Walk at your own pace

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Food: if you have forgotten to take a lunch pack or a sandwich with you, you can take advantage of the meals on offer in the two huts on our way. The menu is limited though: soups (lentils, beans), grilled meat and some basic meals.

Difficulty: this walking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable hiking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.

Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may stop anytime (due to strong wind, power cut etc.). In the rare case, this happens, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Map

Fuel surcharge

Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Food and drinks

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Chairlift ticket (31.30 BGN) paid on spot

What To Expect

Vasil Levski Monument

The trip starts at 07:00 from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)

Admission Not Applicable

Panichishte

Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift. He, you'll pay for the chair lift ticket - 25 BGN.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Tour with audioguide

Audioguided Tour: Tour with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.

Lakes below the snow guided

Rila Lakes covered in snow: The area is beautiful, but the weather can be very demanding, and proper hiking equipment and clothes are required.

Lakes without the lift guided

Lift closed for maintenance: Access to the lakes only by foot. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km.

Reviews

4.43

14 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Excellent self-guided hiking experience in beautiful Bulgaria!
KPtripper,
Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A seamless experience with Traventuria completing the 8 day self-guided hikes in the Rila and Pirin mountains. Transfers and transport were punctual with excellent flexibility to be picked up earlier depending on when I completed hikes. Excellent GPS trail resources provided for the hikes (a must for hiking solo). Stayed at wonderful family hotels with some traditional home cooking. I hadn’t expected Bulgaria to be so beautiful but the experience was further complemented by warm hospitality and an excellent travel experience with Traventuria. Many thanks for a wonderful trip!
Disaster organization. Agency to avoid!
Vnimavay,
Sep 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I booked a visit to the 7 lakes of Rila with this agency. On the day of Check-out, I was informed that I had not booked a tour with a Guide, but with an Audio Guide and headphones. When I asked for the Audio Guide, the Guide told me that he was the Audio Guide and that I could follow the band eventually. The group was 31 people with one Guide. Arriving on site in Panitchishte at 8:30 we waited more than 2 hours to queue to buy tickets and access the mountain cable car!!! I was able to climb the mountain at 11:15 and we had to wait for the rest of the group. I gave up and left on my own. Only 5 people managed to go around 7 lakes because you had to be at the bus at 15:15 no matter how late we got to the mountains. Catastrophic organization! Agency to avoid!
Seven lakes hike
s0ltraveller,
Aug 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Seamless. Booked day before spontaneously. They had a message to me v quickly w logisitics. Radi our tour guide was awesome. Super chill and easy to hang out with. Made it super fun.
Unethical Business Practices – Failure to Honor Agreed Pricing
204gracep,
Feb 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the service provided by Traventuria Ltd despite agreeing on a certain pricing structure and providing a deposit, I was shocked to discover that they increased the pricing after collecting my deposit. This deceptive practice is not only unprofessional but also a clear violation of our agreement. I feel betrayed as a customer, and this experience has eroded my trust in Traventuria. I strongly urge them to rectify this situation promptly and honor the originally agreed-upon pricing. Such unethical behavior tarnishes the reputation of the company and harms the relationship with its customers. I expect a timely and fair resolution to this matter, and I hope that [Service Operator] takes immediate action to address their lapse in integrity.
Seven lakes - train
gracemC9575VN,
Oct 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beautiful experience with very kind and helpful guides to manage the needs of our group. The only recommendations I would make, given that the chairlift was not in operation when we went, I would say that you need to be very fit as the route is very demanding and it would be advisable to bring suitable equipment to deal with the terrain and the weather. I highly recommend Traventuria.
Marvelous hike along the Rila Lakes national park
Sunshine46974525548,
Aug 7, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Radi was a great guide! We had rainy weather when we started and he paced everything so that the chairlift was open when we arrived. He’s very knowledgeable about the area and is a very chill person to be around with. Great success!
Best tour ever
UlaMajaM,
Sep 22, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Radi was a great guide! Prepare for breathtaking views, but also quite a hike! Wear hiking shoes and check the weather before going.
Great day tour from Sofia
Sara D,
Jul 13, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Beautiful 7 rila lakes
nur syahidah bi... a,
Oct 22, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This trip is fantastic. Very beautiful view from the peak. I love the peace and the clean air. I enjoyed the hike very much. The guide, Peter..... he is knowledgeable. It worth the money you pay for. Thank you for this nice trip.
Great mountain hike
Keprive,
May 4, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I went with 7 others to make an hike on the 7 lakes The guide, Petar, was great, just on time, guide us very well in the mountain. We had a great ambiance ! Just be careful that this is not an easy hike. We has a lot of snow and wind and you need to be fully equipped.