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

Hiking trails & Routes

Bulgaria

Kyustendil Region

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

Hard

4.9

(111)

611

hikers

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

07:42

18.3km

1,100m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very 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: August 10, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 7.03 km for 927 m

After 10.9 km for 266 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.13 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

4.33 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

5.57 km

Бъбрека

Lake

6.44 km

View of The Eye Lake (Okoto), Rila

Highlight • Lake

During the weekends in sunny day during the summer it is really overcrowded - don't go there at that time. Better to go there from Monday to Friday if you want to enjoy the whole place

Tip by

7.02 km

Сълзата

Lake

7.86 km

Razdela

Mountain Pass

10.7 km

Viewpoint

11.7 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

11.9 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

12.0 km

View of the Fifth Rila Lake

Highlight • Lake

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

Tip by

12.5 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

12.8 km

Second Lake (Rila Lakes)

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful still, clear water in a majestic landscape!

Tip by

14.9 km

Rilski Ezera

Alpine Hut

18.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.5 km

4.47 km

2.04 km

256 m

Surfaces

10.6 km

4.25 km

3.18 km

256 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Friday 16 October

4°C

-6°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

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Comments

July 28, 2023,🇧🇬 BG. Seven Rila Lakes.

One of the most popular route in Rila mountains. All the people start ascending by trail to the right of Rila Lakes Chalet. A good option to avoid crowds is to hike the trail in the opposite direction. We also have extended the regular route for 4 km to see much better view than an official view point can offer …

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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