The 15 Best Seven Rila Lakes Hikes from Sofia

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Extended Trip - Seven Rila Lakes hike: routes, lift choices, and real timing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,189 reviews · 13 hours · from $64Our pick

Sofia to 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery in one day. Air-conditioned shuttle, self-guided hike, and time at a 10th-century monastery.

“Timings were all perfect. Enough time at both lakes and Monastery. Given plenty of information and also maps by guide in the morning before the bus departed Sofia. Guide also sent us whatsapp via the group throughout the day reminding of pick up times and helpful info!”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

2.The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 923 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $47

From Sofia, ride up to Rila National Park and hike the Seven Rila Lakes, with a chairlift option and a real mountain guide.

“The lakes are absolutely stunning in Autumn - the trip is well worth it if you’re in Sofia for a few days. We had a great guide and recommend the guided tour - you get more out of the experience understanding the landscape/what you’re looking at.”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour

3.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 699 reviews · 12 hours · from $53

Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery day tour by coach, with a chairlift hike, expert guides, and mountain views.

“When I booked the tour, I knew it would be a wonderful experience, but my expectations were exceeded. Our guide Ivaylo and our driver Sergei were exceptional, enhancing the experience with their knowledge and friendliness. I highly recommend this experience.”

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From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

4.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 392 reviews · 11 hours · from $69

From Sofia, see Bulgaria’s iconic Rila Monastery and hike the Seven Rila Lakes, with a warm guide, smart timing, and optional elevator.

“The excursion has a good organisation. Our guide Apostolos was very nice and helpfull. He told us a lot of things about Bulgaria ( food, people, history). Also the monastery and the lacs are more than beautiful. You should really go see! If you go by winter take good shoes for the snow :)”

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $54Top rated

Self-guided Rila Monastery and Seven Rila Lakes day trip from Sofia, with timed transfers, paper maps, and mountain hiking.

“The Hike to the top- no problem timewise to manage and the beautiful momentet. To meet up 7 in morning and then tour guide take 15 minutes explaining your while standing still was a waste of our time. That people are not on time still after all the reminders about departure time beats me!”

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7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

6.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

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

From Sofia to Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes, by WiFi-equipped van. Lift fee is extra, weather can change plans.

“My only complaint about this tour is the lack of time to do the activities. However, it’s a great combo! The Rila monastery is incredible.. as beautiful inside (no photos allowed) as it is on the outside. A little more time would be nice to see all areas. The Rila 7 lakes has amazing scenery. Beautiful mountain and lake images. Be advised, however, that there is a lot of uphill hiking AFTER the ski lift up. But the views are worth the effort. Again, at least an hour more is needed to see all 7 lakes. And be prepared for a long line at the lift after 4:30pm. Definitely a…”

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The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

7.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

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

Ride chairlifts to glacier lakes, then tour UNESCO Rila Monastery. Early start, solid hiking, cash tips for extra costs.

“It’s brilliant experience to travel in seven lake. people was not too much and the view is extraordinary”

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $35Best value

Full-day self-guided hike to Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, with chair lift rides, emerald water, and bring-your-own lunch.

“Our driver Krassy was a great guy. Had a good music. The trip itself was worth to wake up at 6.30 AM”

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The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

9.The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $41

Small-group Seven Rila Lakes hiking trip from Sofia with a chairlift ride from Panichishte, guided route options, and big mountain views.

“Was absolutely marvelous! Loved our guide Maya and the lakes were just gorgeous. Next time want to see the Dance. Highly recommend!”

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Sofia: Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

10.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Snowshoe frozen Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, then soak in hot thermal pools at Sapareva Banya. Winter views, guided day trip.

“The snow shoeing experience was great. Giorgi, was an excellent host and it was interesting to hear his perspectives on Bulgarian culture and his in depth knowledge of the Riva Mountains and its Lakes. We thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.”

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Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

11.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

Full-day hike in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains to the Seven Lakes, then soak in Sapareva Banya hot springs, with Sofia pickup.

“Sent a message what hotel I was at. No response, nobody showed up that morning. Asked for a refund from Viator and no response about that either. Beginning to think this website is a scam.”

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From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

12.7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Rila Lakes in the morning, chairlift views over the peaks, then hot springs at Sapareva Banya. Easy to tough options, full day.

“Wonderful hike. We went for the longer trip and it was both gorgeous and tough but worth it.”

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

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

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

Snowshoe the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, ride up by chairlift, then soak in Sapareva Banya hot springs for a full winter day.

“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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Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

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

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

Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes on a full-day trip from Sofia. Small group transport, clear meet-up points, and a 5-hour mountain walk.

“Like the title says. There are multiple spots to turn around so pretty accessible regardless of your fitness level”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Self-Guided Tour

15.The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 33 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $115

Sofia to Rila Mountains for a self-guided hike of the Seven Rila Lakes, with Panichishte chairlift and optional monastery add-on.

“The trip was planned so nicely. Our guide Megi was very kind, knowledgeable and giving important informations during the trip. The monetary was very beautiful and peaceful to be in just blended into nature. The lakes were very beautiful, some hike is there but the colour and beauty of the water will just mesmerise you. I would definitely recommend this activity :)”

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