The 15 Best Seven Rila Lakes Hikes

1.Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes and visit Rila Monastery on a self-guided day trip from Sofia, with shared transport and practical route tips.

“I had such a great experience with the Rila Lakes + Monastery trip! Our driver was great and made the ride smooth and comfortable (you book spots for the day and then you are with a group of other travelers on a bus). Prior to departing, Phillip gave us tips on the best routes to take for the hike, which made all the difference. His advice helped me enjoy the lakes at my own pace while still catching the highlights. The hike itself was self-guided, but having those pointers made it feel stress-free. He also regularly checked in with the group via WhatsApp to keep us on schedule and give…”

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2.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $71

Review of Sofia’s Rila Monastery and Seven Rila Lakes tour, with hiking advice, costs, weather warnings, timing, guides, and practical tips.

“This is probably awesome in the summer, but in November it sucked. We didn’t know the lift wasn’t operating until we got there. We spent most of our time trying to hike up the mountain and once we got to the top, we couldn’t see the lakes. Got some pretty views as we climbed but it just wasn’t worth it.”

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3.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $54

Review of Sofia’s Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery tour, with hiking advice, costs, timing, transport details, and practical booking tips.

“We love nature and specially mountaine, the election of this tour was wanderfull, it is a misture between exercise, nature and history. We enjoy the landscape, the weather was perfect too. If you need use the chair lift is important question about that is open, in that way is confortable to every one.”

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4.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Review of Sofia’s Seven Rila Lakes snowshoe hike, chairlift ride, and Sapareva Banya thermal baths, with costs, route details, and practical advice.

“In advance of the tour, we sent multiple Viator messages, wrote an email, and called the provided number 5+ times. We did not select a pickup point because we were already going to be in Rila and wanted to meet there, so we asked where would be best to meet the local guide. No one responded to any of these inquiries, no one reached out to us via the phone number I provided, and so ultimately my husband and I did not go on this tour. (Despite having paid for it!) We had a great day in Rila by ourselves, but there was absolutely no communication from the vendor which…”

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5.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $35

Review of Sofia’s Seven Rila Lakes hike, with minivan transport, cable car costs, trail difficulty, timing, guides, and practical booking advice.

“The hike was beautiful albeit quite difficult, it's important that tbe weather is good though. Our guide was nice and responsible, but the minibus was in a really bad shape and very uncomfortable.”

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6.Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Snowshoe across Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes, see a 39-meter waterfall, then relax in hot mineral pools on a full-day trip from Sofia.

“had a wonderful day trip. It was a quick hour and half drive from Sofia. Some climbing and great views. Veselin was a knowledgeable and informative guide. I'm glad that I chose this tour.”

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7.The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Review of Sofia’s Seven Rila Lakes self-guided hike, with transport, chairlift costs, trail difficulty, timing, food, and practical tips.

“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”

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8.Small group to Seven Rila Lakes and Skakavitsa waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $113

Review of Sofia’s small-group hike to Seven Rila Lakes and Skakavitsa Waterfall, with practical advice on price, fitness, seasons, gear, and value.

“Ask for Viktor. He is a happy guy that speaks great English. The hike was canceled due to rain, but he took us on other sightseeing.”

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9.Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 10 to 30 minutes (approx.) · from $156

Walk among Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes, visit Rila Monastery, and see a 103°C geyser on this full-day trip from Sofia.

“My favorite part of Bulgaria! Unfortunately, the lifts weren’t open while we were there, which I was really looking forward to seeing the lakes, but we pivoted and went on a beautiful hike instead.”

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10.Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $143

Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia with a guide, chairlift, hotel pickup, and five hours of mountain scenery.

“The hike was enjoyable, and the view was great. time management was good, we were back in Sofia earlier than expected.”

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11.The Ultimate Snowmobile Adventure – 7 Rila Lakes & Panichishte

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31Best value

Ride a well-kept snowmobile near the Seven Rila Lakes with an instructor, mountain views, flexible durations, and free cancellation.

“I was probably among the first to have the activity and use the fresh snow. Very well-maintained snowmobiles, excellent guide and scenic route. Would come back again for sure!”

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12.Private tour: Rila Mountains and The Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $259

Review the private Sofia tour to the Seven Rila Lakes, with guides, hotel transfers, lift costs, hiking advice, and practical booking tips.

“The tour was amazing! Valentin was super patient with our pace and we learned a lot from him. We had a lot of fun.”

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13.Private & Tremendous Jeep Safari in the 7 Rila Lakes area

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $149

Review of a private Jeep safari near Bulgaria’s 7 Rila Lakes, with mountain views, Sapareva Banya, optional hiking, and practical booking tips.

“Excellent activity with a private and new jeep with a superb guide. The route was great, the views, the information, the stop with magnificent views. Really recommend to everyone in the area. That was a fabulous experience and these guys know how to do it.”

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14.Seven Rila lakes to Rila monastery guided Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $335

Trek Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes, sleep at Ivan Vazov Hut, and hike to Rila Monastery with a private mountain guide.

“Beautiful 2 day hike with great guides Pavel and Nikolay! Overnight stay in the Ivan Vazov hut which is no frills but has everything you need. About 9.5mi hike each day, finishing at the beautiful Rila Monastery. Pavel and Nikolay were friendly, helpful, and called beforehand to go over what to pack and what to expect. Would definitely recommend them again!”

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15.Seven Rila lakes- private tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $92

Review of Sofia’s private Seven Rila Lakes tour, with chairlift access, a five-hour mountain walk, guide details, price, and practical tips.

“The Seven Rila Lakes are just pure beauty.. Metodiy was my guide for 3 days and I was very pleased to have him. Very informative. He showed me places where normal tourists don’t go. I would certainly recommend this company, also they are not expensive at all. 👍👍👍”

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