Seven Rila Lakes Tours from Sofia
Discover Sofia’s architecture and wander Plovdiv’s ancient streets, but don’t miss out on the beauty of Bulgaria’s mountain landscapes. The Seven Rila Lakes offer some of Bulgaria’s most dazzling hiking. Here are your options.
Sightseeing Tours
A scenic flight over the Rila Lakes—and perhaps also the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a spectacular way to see the cascade of beautifully shaped lakes. They tumble from The Tear at 8,317 feet (2,535 meters) to the Lower Lake at 6,873 feet (2,095 meters).
Hiking Tours
Hiking tours of the Rila Lakes span the gamut from half-day tours, which cover the lower lakes only, to full-day adventures and even 2-day treks that take you through the wilderness to Rila Monastery. A cable car covers part of the distance.
Things to Know
The Seven Rila Lakes are roughly 60 miles (98 kilometers) south of Sofia. Buses travel the route, but to make the round-trip in one day, you’ll want a shuttle or private transfer.
Mountain refuges for hiking can get booked up far in advance in summer.
During summer, sneakers are good enough to hike the Rila Lakes. In winter, snowshoeing trips are popular.
On August 18 and 19 each year, the White Brotherhood spiritual group performs fascinating rituals at a gathering in the mountains.
9 Tours and Activities | All Sofia Tours
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The Seven Rila Lakes Circuit (small-group tour from Sofia)
8
Save well over an hour compared to public transportation and benefit from the local knowledge of a guide on this full-day trek around the Seven Rila Lakes. Experience one of Bulgaria’s most striking mountain landscapes at a leisurely pace and hike all the way up to the highest of the seven lakes. Please note the tour excludes the small chairlift fee.
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From
$47.91
From
$47.91
Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia
29
Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.
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From
$47.90
From
$47.90
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery
23
The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour includes chair-lift ticket to the lakes but excludes monastery entrance fees.
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From
$47.91
Price varies by group size
From
$47.91
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Hiking The Seven Rila Lakes with option for dinner
7
Make the most of your time in Bulgaria on hiking trip to the world-renowned Seven Rila Lakes. Going with a guide eliminates the stress of navigating the trails on your own and leaves you with an inside perspective on the country’s natural landscape. After the 5-hour hike, stop for a well-deserved dinner (own expense) en route to Sofia. Round-trip hotel transport is included for your convenience.
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From
$53.90
Price varies by group size
From
$53.90
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More
Seven Rila Lakes Hike- Private Day Trip
5
Enjoy personalized attention on this guided hiking tour to the Seven Rila Lakes. Depart from your hotel and travel in an air-conditioned car equipped with WiFi so you can stay connected. Access the mountain easily with a chairlift. Hike through the beautiful nature on the mountain and pass the Rila Lakes.
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From
$119.77
Price varies by group size
From
$119.77
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More
The Seven Rila Lakes Circuit (small-group tour from Sofia)
19
Hike through rugged terrain to the Seven Rila Lakes on a full-day tour from Sophia, and discover the remarkable scenery of the Rila Mountains. Take a chairlift to a high-mountain hut and continue on foot along the jeweled string of lakes. Follow your guide through alpine passes into remote valleys, then rest in the shade of hikers’ shelters; take in sweeping views of the Bulgarian landscape and enjoy the crisp, clear air of the Balkans’ highest mountain range.
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From
$47.91
From
$47.91
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Private Day Trip to the 7 Rila Lakes with hiking and SPA
Experience Bulgarian nature and soak in thermal waters on a full-day private tour of the Rila Lakes and Sapareva Banya. Private transportation takes you from your Sofia hotel into to Rila, where you follow your guide on a three-hour hike (at your chosen difficultly level) around the seven lakes. Afterwards, unwind at the thermal spa before relaxing on your way back to Sofia.
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From
$119.77
Price varies by group size
From
$119.77
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More
Seven Rila Lakes Hike- Small Group Day Trip
4
Take a break from the town and enjoy a great group day trip to the nature of the Seven Rila Lakes. Feel the fresh air and hike in a breathtaking mountain atmosphere. Most times the group size is 4-8 people.
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From
$59.88
From
$59.88
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More
Seven Rila lakes to Rila monastery guided Trek
1
This 2-Day trek will take you deep into the wilderness of the Rila Mountains where you will be amazed by the magical Seven Rila Lakes, sleep at the highest mountain hut on the Balkan peninsula - Vazov Hut (2300 m. a.s.l.) and finally after a descend filled with wonderful views of peaks, ridges and alpine forested valleys you will arrive at Rila Monastery - the largest and most significant active monastery in Bulgaria. Expect a challenging dive into the off beaten trails of Rila mountain that will reward you with natural splendor at every step.
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From
$287.44
Price varies by group size
From
$287.44
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More