The Seven Rila Lakes - Rila Mountain Bulgaria
The chain of the Seven Rila Lakes is the largest, most picturesque and most visited group of lakes in all of the Rila Mountains. The lakes are found at differing altitudes and appear like large footprints or steps leading up the mountain. Each of the lakes are named according to its shape.
The first lake - "The Tear"(Salzata) is the highest of the Rila Lakes. It is found at 2535 meters above sea level and has an area of .7 hectares. It is 4.5 meters at its deepest.
The second lake - "The Eye" (Okoto) is found at 2440 meters above sea level and has an area of 6.8 hectares. It is the deepest of thelakes with a depth of 37.5 meters.
The third lake - "The Kidney" (Babreka) is at an altitude of 2282 meters above sea level and has an area of 8.5 hectares. It is 28 meters at its deepest.
The fourth lake - "The Twins" (Bliznaka) are actually one lake nearly split into two. They are at 2243 meters above sea level and is the largest and longest of the lakes. It has an area of 9.1 hectares and a depth of 27.5 meters.
The fifth lake - "Three-Lobed Lake" (Trilistnika) has an irregular shape and steep banks and is found at 2216 meters above sea level. It is 6.5 meters deep and has a total area of 2.6 hectares.
The sixth lake - "The Fish Lake" (Ribno Ezero) is found at 2184 meters above seal level and has an area of 3.5 hectares. It is the shallowest of the lakes at 2.5 meters. The 7 Lakes Lodge is found at its most Northern bank.
The seventh lake - "The Low Lake" (Dolnoto Ezero) is at 2095 meteres above sea level, has an area of 5.9 hectares and is 11 meters deep.
The Seven Rila Lakes comprise an extremely sensitive and wonderous spot within the boundaries of Rila National Park. Many of its species are native to the area and are listed in the Red Data Book of Flora and Fauna, which denotes them as endangered or rare.
An interesting event that occurs annually within the area of The Seven Lakes is the celebration of the followers of the Bulgarian Christian Spiritualist, Peter Dunov. "The Dunovistes" gather each year on the 19th of August to celebrate the teachings of Mr. Dunov by dressing in white and dancing and singing in large concentric circles under the peaks of Rila. This event is held in cooperation with Rila National Park and the Sapareva Banya Municipal Administration.