SEVEN RILA LAKES

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL- BABREKA(THE KIDNEY)


THE KIDNEY(BABREKA),TRILISTNIK,RIBNOTO


THE EYE(OKOTO)


THE TEAR(SALZATA)


THE TWIN(BLIZNAKA)




The Legend

According to the legend,two giants,a man and a woman,lived there before many, many thousands of years in these parts of the Rila . They loved a lot and worshiped the beauty of your home. They decorated with small grass and flowers their home, cleaned to shine tapered rocks and enjoyed their simple life. Their home was so attractive, sunny and with a cozy charm that every living creature loved them. One day the evil forces passed around giants' home. Angry that there was such a beautiful place, jealous of their marital happiness the evil forces decided to destroy everything,.They began to send black clouds and devastating winds. Terrible earthquakes began to shake the earth.
Giant man was ready to do anything to protect and defend your land and your wife. He defended any grass, flower or stream fiercely. But unfortunately evil forces' malice and cruelty increased by more terrible force.They were resolved to do their work completely.
In a heavy battle, the young giant was killed. Satisfied with their achievement evil elements left, leaving behind many ruins and devastated by grief woman.
Grief of the young widow was so great that her tears gushing endlessly and running ridges down to valleys.
These tears formed to clear lakes, the purity of which hitting everyone. All living creatures , the sun and the earth were involved in young woman's grief.
It often obscures the sun by thick fog. From time to time the widow covers the body of the beloved husband with a white veil, which she put on the spot lit by the sun, so everyone can see it. To this day it is there and it can be seen from many places in the mountains. Named after him "sleeping giant" because it was believed that one day he will wake up again.

Legend has it that if you look at a very high we can see the woman lying with open eyes, one of which is Lake Eye.


The cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes is the largest in the Rila Mountain. It is centered East of Haidyta Peak (also known as Hermit Peak) and South of the steep rock slopes of Razdela Ridge and Otovishka Peak, found to the West of the peak directly above Kidney Lake. The cirque opens to the North and feeds the German River, which is a main source of the Stryma River. The entire area is maintained within the boundaries of Rila National Park.

Getting to The Seven Rila Lakes

To get to the place, where the lakes are situated, tourists usually take the trail from Sapareva Bania or from the Rila Monastery. Regardless of your route, the view is magnificent.

From the peak of Damka, the crystal blue surface of the three lowest lakes can be seen, the other four lakes being hidden by the sheer slope of the mountain. As you begin your descent, the highest of the lakes appears before you. Approaching from the northeastern part of the slope, you will see the second lake, one that is known by several names: Okoto (The Eye), Sartseto (The heart) and Salzata (The Tear). Each has its logic, because the lake is crystal and clean like a tear, deep like a heart and hidden like an eye. To the east there is a chasm and wild streams that flow out of the 2 highest lakes. In the winter this place is very dangerous and only very experienced mountain-climbers could pass it.
Seven Lakes

What follows is the magnificent lake of Babreka (The Kidney), surrounded by a big moraine to the east. Beneath it in the deep circus the lake of Twins is hidden. From that point downwards the green areas around the lakes become larger and larger and at the lowest lake of Dolnoto they cover the ground like a green carpet.


The Seven Rila Lakes comprise an extremely wonderful spot within the boundaries of Rila National Park. Many of its species are native to the area and are listed in the Red Data Book of Flora and Fauna which denotes them as endangered or rare.

Hiking

The Park administration encourages pedestrian tours or hiking trails to limit and mitigate the human impact on the terrain. Specialized routes have been developed and designated within Rila National Park for wildlife enthusiasts, extreme sports athletes, equestrians, and mountain biking enthusiasts. One of these new trails is the newly inaugurated Friends of Plants Botany Route.

Attractions

Along with its diverse natural heritage, Rila National Park is also rich in cultural and historical landmarks, affording excellent opportunities for showcasing local culture and traditions. The hot mineral springs around the Park are an additional tourist draw and provide opportunities for spa resorts and treatment. The Park Directorate cooperates actively with gateway communities toward the development of ecotourism.

Accommodation

The Park contains 178 tourist chalets with a total of 1,500 beds, most of which are operated by the Bulgarian Tourism Union. In addition, there are four tourist lodges that provide basic accommodation and are used primarily in inclement weather. The Management Plan allows no more than one overnight stay per person at the lodges, while recommending a limit on the number of overnights at chalets within the Reserves Zone. The Park Directorate is currently building short-term rest areas where camping, campfires, or rest stops will be allowed subject to strictly defined norms regulating the number of tents and overnight stays.