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Kyustendil Region

Babreka (The Kidney) Lake – Seven Rila Lakes loop from Skakavitza Reserve

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Hiking trails & Routes

Kyustendil Region

Babreka (The Kidney) Lake – Seven Rila Lakes loop from Skakavitza Reserve

Hard

4.9

(86)

487

hikers

Babreka (The Kidney) Lake – Seven Rila Lakes loop from Skakavitza Reserve

04:57

12.7km

770m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 6.24 km for 982 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.56 km

Lower Lake (Seven Rila Lakes)

Highlight • Lake

Lower Lake is the lowest of the Seven Rila Lakes. It is located at an altitude of 2095 m. Its area is 5.9 ha and its depth is 11 m. There are a lot of fish in the lake, that is why it is called the "Fish lake", but still fishing is forbidden. It collects the water that flows from the other lakes. The lake has a steep sill and is closed from the north by a seawall. It collects the water that flows from the other lakes. The lower lake gives rise to the Jerman River.

Tip by

4.75 km

View of the First and Second of the Seven Rila Lakes

Highlight • Viewpoint

Majestic scenery! Very inspiring when you're able to see more than one lake at the same time :)

Tip by

6.23 km

Babreka (The Kidney) Lake

Highlight • Lake

Shortly after the kidney it goes uphill again (50 min up and 30 min down). At the top you have a beautiful view of two other lakes. It's quite drafty up there, so it's better to bring warmer clothes.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.40 km

The Twin Lake (Bliznaka), Seven Rila Lakes

Highlight • Lake

Lake Bliznaka is the largest in area of the Seven Rila Lakes. It is located 1940 m north of Vazov Peak and is 2243 m above sea level. The catchment area is 2.10 square kilometres. The water surface area is 168.6 acres. The water volume of the lake is 590 thousand m3 and the maximum depth is 27.5 metres. In the recent past the lake was called Chifte Göl. The name "Bliznaka" comes from the fact that in times of drought the lake splits into two small ponds. From this it takes the shape of an hourglass.

Tip by

6.55 km

View of the Fifth Rila Lake

Highlight • Lake

Gorgeous crystal-clear water surrounded by majestic peaks and meadows :)

Tip by

6.80 km

The Third Lake (Rila Lakes)

Highlight • Lake

All of the seven lakes are beautiful and unique in their own way, but this one might be my personal favourite! Very nice aesthetic with the flowers growing out of the perfectly still water.

Tip by

6.84 km

Fourth and Fifth Lakes, Rila

Highlight • Lake

Simply amazing mountain landscape and scenery! I could spend hours here just looking at the lake and the peaks!

Tip by

7.02 km

Seven Rila Lakes

Highlight • Lake

It used to be very quiet and restful place, but now it is fully overcrowded.
The water in all lakes was pure as a drop, but now some lakes grew green :(

There are several options if you want to reach the 7 rila lakes from Pionerska hut:
1) on foot
2) by lift (usually there is 30-60 minutes delay in queue/line)
3) by offroad jeep (you should climb last 100 meters to upper lift station on foot)

Of course there are other options: from Rila monastery/Malyovitsa peak; Ivan Vazov hut; etc...

Tip by

8.98 km

Rilski Ezera

Alpine Hut

12.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.53 km

4.41 km

3.57 km

145 m

Surfaces

7.41 km

2.77 km

2.31 km

145 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Monday 17 August

22°C

11°C

53 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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Comments

July 4, 2025,Sieben Rila-Seen / Runde von der oberen Gondelstation

The first 2 km were taken by chairlift up to the mountain station at 2100 m. The same applies to the last 2 km on the way back to the valley station.

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August 24, 2024,Die 7 Rila Seen

Great tour in the Bulgarian Rila Mountains. Tip: On weekends during the Bulgarian summer holidays you should be there very early in the morning because of the parking spaces and because of the chairlift (if you want to save yourself the first 500 meters of altitude). From 10 a.m. you can easily meet hundreds of other hikers and queue for …

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Babreka (The Kidney) Lake – Seven Rila Lakes loop from Skakavitza Reserve

Lower Lake (Seven Rila Lakes)

View of the First and Second of the Seven Rila Lakes

Babreka (The Kidney) Lake

The Twin Lake (Bliznaka), Seven Rila Lakes

View of the Fifth Rila Lake

The Third Lake (Rila Lakes)

Fourth and Fifth Lakes, Rila

Seven Rila Lakes

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