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

About this tour

Admire spectacular alpine landscape as you explore the Seven Rila Lakes, the crown treasure of the Rila Mountains National Park. Escape Sofia’s summer heat and take in the cool mountain air of the Balkans’ highest mountain. Join a relaxing, easy to moderate walk and unwind fully in the thermal pools filled with hot spring water at the conclusion of the day. All of this is doable as a day trip from Sofia.

For a delightful trip in the Rila Mountains, you will be picked up early in the morning from your hotel or other location in Sofia. You will arrive at Pionerska Hut (1520 meters) in about 1.5 hours. From there, the group will take a chairlift to the Rila Lakes Hut, which is located in the Rila Mountains National Park above the tree line at a height of 2150 meters. The walk will then take a circular route, passing by the lakes Ribnoto (The Fish), Trilistnika (The Trefoil), and Bliznaka (The Twin). The group will have a choice between taking the long path or the short way when it reaches Bubreka (The Kidney) Lake, which is located at 2282 meters above sea level.

The Lakes Peak (2550 meters), which provides a fantastic panoramic view of all Seven Rila Lakes, is reached by continuing uphill after passing Okoto (The Eye) Lake. You will then return along the same route that you took to reach Kidney Lake. For the short route, you will go along a picturesque route that provides a fantastic panoramic view of the Seven Lakes region as you make your way to the chairlift’s top station. You will arrive at the Rila Lakes Hut at the end of the hike, and from there, you may take a chairlift down to Pionerska Hut.

You will travel in the minivan for a brief (20 minute) transfer to the Sapareva Banya Spa Resort, which is known for having one of the hottest thermal springs in all of Europe (103°C). After the tour, enjoy and take some time to unwind in one of the several thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 °C. The party will depart for Sofia in the late afternoon, and you will be returned to your original destinations.