Rila Mountains in Bulgaria is the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula. Its name has Thracian origin and means “well-watered mountain”, because Rila is home of many lakes and gives the beginning of one of the largest rivers in the country – Iskar, Maritsa and Mesta. Of course The pearl in the crown are The Seven Rila Lakes.
The Lowest Lake - One of the Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are one of the most unique landmarks in Bulgaria. Every nature lover should visit them at least once in his life. Most of the tourists, who want to get to know Bulgaria, include the lakes in their itinerary.
These beautiful and inspiring lakes are located in the Rila Mountains. The Seven Lakes are part of the Rila National Park. It also has many endangered plant and animal species as some of them are found only in this region.
The journey to the lakes is not the easiest, but certainly does not require preparation – just comfortable shoes, warm clothes and a desire for continuous walking and enjoying the incredible scenery. For people who want to save walking and to give pleasure only to the natural beauty, there is a lift. From hut “Pionerska” to hut “Rila Lakes” has a lift, which shortens the distance of nearly two kilometers. Saving part of the walking will cost you around 15 leva in both directions.
A Hut in Rila Mountains
The region has many huts, which offering shelter and food for those who want to spend the night. There are both cheaper and expensive cabins. The hut Rila Lakes is a wonderful option for the night near the lakes. Near to it local people offer walk with horses, which is a wonderful way to go sightseeing, if you have a little experience with riding. All seven lakes have their names according to their shape – “The Tear”, “ The eye”, “The kidney”, “ The twin”, “ The trefoil” , “The fish lake” and “The lower lake”. “The lower lake” of course is the lowest one and collects the water from the other lakes. It gives the beginning of Dzherman River.
The seven Rila Lakes are
1) The Lower Lake
The Lowest Lake
It lies at the bottom of the Rila mountain.
2) The Fish Lake
The Fish Lake
It is the shallowest with a maximum depth of no more than 2.5 meters.
3) The Twin Lake
The Twin Lake
It owes its name to the fact that during the summer due to heat its middle sometimes dries and the lake is divided into two halves.
4) The Kidney Lake
The Kidney Lake
It has the largest volume of water and owes its name to the shape of the human kidney.
5) The Tear
It has the clearest water.
6) The Trefoil
The Trefoil Lake
It has irregular shape.
7) The Eye
It is the deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria.
Since height is over 2000 meters altitude, the air is cold, especially after the last sun hide behind the horizon. Of course it all worth it because when you look in “The eye” you feel like you look into your soul. Continuing upward, you will reach the highest lake – “The tear”. This place reveals magnificent views of the other lakes. After enjoying this moment of eternity, marked way will lead you after 5-6 hours to the “civilization”.
The Story of The Seven Lakes
According to the legend, thousands of years ago in this place lived male and female giants. They were madly in love with each other and worshiped their beautiful home. It was so charming, sunny and beautiful that all living beings admire it. One day the evil forces passed by their home and seeing so much beauty, peace and love decided to destroy it. Sent devastating winds and dark clouds, but the man defended his wife and their home. At the end, however, he fell down and left grieving wife. She wept with grief day and night and thus formed crystal lakes of Rila. Before “The kidney”, the guides show to the tourists a rock, on which have drawn male and female giant. According to the legend, they still are watching over their beautiful home.
Seven Rila Lakes,
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