The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour worth booking?
The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour is a 8.5-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $35 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (15)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $35 per person
This whole-day trek to the Rila Mountains is meant for people, who would like to walk in a leisurely pace among its jewels - The Seven Rila Lakes. You will have enough time to get to the highest of all lakes and enjoy th
What you get
About this experience
This whole-day trek to the Rila Mountains is meant for people, who would like to walk in a leisurely pace among its jewels - The Seven Rila Lakes. You will have enough time to get to the highest of all lakes and enjoy the super scenery revealed from there. Enjoy a self-guided hike among nature Marvel at the views of the Seven Rila lakes Walk at your own pace
What's included
Included
- Map
- Surcharges on fuel
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Chairlift ticket (31.30 BGN) paid on spot
What you'll see and do
Vasil Levski Monument
The trip starts at 07:00 from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
Pass by without stopping
Panichishte
Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift. He, you'll pay for the chair lift ticket - 25 BGN.
Pass by without stopping
Seven Rila Lakes
Enjoy the hiking tour to the pristine heart of the majestic Rila National Park. Each lake is named after its most characteristic feature. The highest one (at 2500m/8200ft above sea level) is called Salzata ("The Tear"), from where we have a bird’s eye view over all seven lakes, as well as surrounding outcrops and deep valleys; the next one in height carries the name Okoto ("The Eye") after its oval form; Babreka ("The Kidney") is the lake with the steepest shores of the entire group; Bliznaka ("The Twin") is the largest of all; Trilistnika ("The Trefoil") has an irregular shape; the shallowest lake is Ribnoto Ezero ("The Fish Lake") and the lowest one is Dolnoto Ezero ("The Lower Lake"; 2100m/6995ft), where the water that flows out of the other lakes is gathered to form the source of Dzherman River.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Vasil Levski Monument
Arrive back at the starting point at approximately 17:30
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is next to the Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is next to the Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Options you can book
Tour with audioguide
Audioguided Tour: Tour with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.
Lakes without the lift guided
Lift closed for maintenance: Access to the lakes only by foot. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km.
Lakes below the snow guided
Rila Lakes covered in snow: The area is beautiful, but the weather can be very demanding, and proper hiking equipment and clothes are required.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traventuria
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Food: if you have forgotten to take a lunch pack or a sandwich with you, you can take advantage of the meals on offer in the two huts on our way. The menu is limited though: soups (lentils, beans), grilled meat and some basic meals.
- Difficulty: this walking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable hiking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
- Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may stop anytime (due to strong wind, power cut etc.). In the rare case, this happens, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
8 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great for getting around Bulgaria’s tourist sites
Grear company for different bus routes inside Bulgaria. I booked and got a good confirmation including letting me know exactly when and where to be and what luggage I can bring. The day before I got reminders and extra information on exactly which bus, which made things incredibly easy. I had a smooth ride to and from tourist destinations and will be taking it again. Recommend it highly
via Tripadvisor
Excellent self-guided hiking experience in beautiful Bulgaria!
A seamless experience with Traventuria completing the 8 day self-guided hikes in the Rila and Pirin mountains. Transfers and transport were punctual with excellent flexibility to be picked up earlier depending on when I completed hikes. Excellent GPS trail resources provided for the hikes (a must for hiking solo). Stayed at wonderful family hotels with some traditional home cooking. I hadn’t expected Bulgaria to be so beautiful but the experience was further complemented by warm hospitality and an excellent travel experience with Traventuria. Many thanks for a wonderful trip!
via Tripadvisor
Seven lakes hike
Seamless. Booked day before spontaneously. They had a message to me v quickly w logisitics. Radi our tour guide was awesome. Super chill and easy to hang out with. Made it super fun.
via Tripadvisor
Unethical Business Practices – Failure to Honor Agreed Pricing
I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the service provided by Traventuria Ltd despite agreeing on a certain pricing structure and providing a deposit, I was shocked to discover that they increased the pricing after collecting my deposit. This deceptive practice is not only unprofessional but also a clear violation of our agreement. I feel betrayed as a customer, and this experience has eroded my trust in Traventuria. I strongly urge them to rectify this situation promptly and honor the originally agreed-upon pricing. Such unethical behavior tarnishes the reputation of the company and harms the relationship with its customers. I expect a timely and fair resolution to this matter, and I hope that [Service Operator] takes immediate action to address their lapse in integrity.
Response from the operator: This review is written by a bot, not a real customer person. The trip in question is not offered in January, neither in February. Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
via Tripadvisor
Marvelous hike along the Rila Lakes national park
Radi was a great guide! We had rainy weather when we started and he paced everything so that the chairlift was open when we arrived. He’s very knowledgeable about the area and is a very chill person to be around with. Great success!
Response from the operator: Dear Alejandro! Thank you for choosing Traventuria to explore Bulgarian beauty! We are looking forward to meeting you again! Safe travels Maria Kamenova
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.
Is The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sofia?
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On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sofia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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