Bulgaria 6 - Seven Rila Lakes

On the penultimate day of our expedition, we will see the supposedly most beautiful part of the Bulgarian mountains known as the Seven Rila Lakes.

Lower and Fish Lakes

Although it is the most famous mountain site, it is almost impossible to reach by public transport. The exception is perhaps tours organised from Sofia, but that's not for us as we are in Samokov and going from there to Sofia to go back again seemed counterproductive. From what I've tracked down on the internet, you need to take a bus to the town of Separeva Banya and from there something should run to the Pioneer Hut, from where it's just a few steps to the cable car that takes you to the lakes. But I didn't read anywhere how what goes, not even in Samokov at the bus station. That's why I was glad that yesterday we came across a taxi driver who conveniently took us from our apartment to the cable car.

We arranged it by phone for 9:00. We ended up being picked up by the brother of our rider from yesterday. The ride to the cable car took about an hour and while paying I still couldn't believe that he only wanted 20 EUR for such a distance. It certainly wouldn't have been cheaper for us as a group to take the bus. There is paid parking at the cable car and plenty of souvenir stands. The one-way trip up was 12 Leva. The trip took about half an hour. The sky was overcast down there. Just before the cable car terminus, it broke and after passing through the clouds, the blue sky peeked out at us. Slowly but surely the clouds began to rise up towards the peaks.

Rill Lake Cottage at the top station of the cable car

The valley with Lower, Fish and Trefoil lakes were the first to peek out at us after about half an hour of climbing. Here we spend some time taking all kinds of photos.

Clouds engulf the Rill Lakes cottage

Lower and Fish Lakes

Fish and Trefoil Lakes

Lower Lakes

Then there is a small plateau that leads to the Brijeka Lake. There is also a view of Lake Bliznaka. We will have a snack here, as we have a steep climb to Lake Okomo and Sjlzama. On the way, we will also come across a waterfall. The culmination is the Ezeren peak (2559 m above sea level), which overlooks most of the lakes. And it is also the place from which the photos of all the promotional materials for the Rila Lakes come from. Unfortunately, before we arrived, the clouds caught up with us and covered the viewpoint with fog, so we couldn't see anything.

Bliznaka Lake

Brijeka Lake

Bliznaka Lake

Brijeka Lake

Brijeka Lake

Okomo Lake

Sjlzama Lake

Ezeren Peak (2559 m.a.s.l.)

Thanks to the fog, we did not stay too long and went for a short walk to the top of Damga (Vazov) (2677 m.a.s.l.) The way to it led through the Razdela crossroads (2603 m.a.s.l.). From the top there is a view of other small lakes. Here again we spend some time taking pictures.

Razdela (2603 m.a.s.l.)

View from the top of Damga (Vazov) (2677 m.a.s.l.) - Fish Lake (second) and Lake Plimkačo

Then we head back to Ezeren, hoping that the clouds will break and reveal that legendary view of the lakes. We're lucky and a few windows pop up.

Seven Rila Lakes

After a snack and with a full memory book of photos of the lakes, we descend to Lake Okomo and turn up the valley to Fish Lake. At the lake there is a mountain hut called Sedemte ezera where we rest for a while. In between, a caravan of horses passes us, descending down into the valley for supplies.

Mountain hut Sedemte ezera

Like the horses, however, we are also descending faster. Compared to Bansko, this descent is much more pleasant. During it, Tom orders us a taxi back to Samokov. We wait at the cable car for about 15 minutes, shortening the wait by buying magnets and snacks. Then we are loaded and driven back to Samokov. Most of us sleep part of the way. At home, the program is the same as yesterday. A shower, a sumptuous dinner at yesterday's tried and tested restaurant Velchev Zaver. At home, card games and sleep. Tomorrow we return to Sofia.

Useful links:

Cableway to the Seven Rila Lakes
Samakov bus timetable
Apartman Pri Pavkata