RILA LAKES (Vazov peak 2669 m)

What a magical place! Like a fairy tale! I have never seen such a beauty! The trail that passes by the seven Rila lakes is definitely the most beautiful I’ve ever walked! In every hole on Rila mountain, a lake is nested!

First you need to get to this fairy tale place. Starting point is a place called Paniciste and it is located near the town of Dupnitsa. It takes about 7-8 hours of drive (about 500 km), from Belgrade to Paniciste. After Belgrade-Nis highway, you will pass through Pirot and Dimitrovgrad. You will enter Bulgaria at border crossing Gradina. Then continue toward Sofia and Dupnitsa. Paniciste is about 30 km far from Dupnitsa.

Paniciste lies at 1350 meters a.s.l. The trail to Rila lakes starts from 2110 m, from the lodge called “Rila lakes”. You can arrive to the lodge by foot, but you will need 2-3 hours. Easiest way is to take ski lift “Pionerska”. It will take you to “Rila lakes” in 20 minutes. The first departure is at 8:30. Last ski lift goes back at 16 h or 17 h.

Finally, when you come at 2110 m, this beautiful adventure can start! The path for Vazov peak (2669 m) goes right and uphill from the lodge “Rila lakes”. The trails is marked very well, you will not go astray. The names of the seven Rila lakes are: Lower lake, Fish lake, Three leaves lake, Gemini, Kidney, Eye and Tear lake. You will easily recognize lake Kidney. Wonderful! Enjoy the photos!

From the lodge to the Vazov peak (2669 m), it takes about 2.5 hours of walk. Path goes along these beautiful lakes. From the top you can see the neighboring Dodo’s peak (2661 m), Malyovitsa (2729 m), Musala (2925 m), Pirin …

You can return back by the same trail. Near the lake Kidney, you can turn right on a marked path and visit couple more lakes. This trail also leads to the lodge “Rila lakes”. It is somewhat longer, but very interesting. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy in more, incredibly blue, Rila lakes!

At the end, what can I say? Rila lakes are a MUST SEE for every mountaineer!

August 2013.