One of the tourist attractions of Bulgaria, which in recent years has been considered one of the best destinations for a day walk, is a group of lakes called Seven Rila Lakes. This spectacular attraction consists of 7 different and beautiful lakes and is located in an area called Dangskiya region in the Rila National Park in the southwest of the Rila Mountains. These seven lakes with their stepped appearance start from an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level and continue to an altitude of 2500 meters so that when you visit them, you will first see the lake that is at the lowest level. After advancing along the route, you will finally reach the last and the lake that is at the highest level.
Going and reaching these lakes is a fun pastime and that makes it a great destination for day trips. To reach the beginning of these seven lakes, you have to experience about 2 hours of mountaineering and walking on the built-in routes, and at the same time enjoy its unique views and landscapes; But if you cannot walk this much, you can take advantage of the amenities of this area and reach the lakes in about an hour.
This area is not empty of tourists even in winter, but some skiers travel to these lakes to experience a special excitement with frozen lakes. Lakes are connected by small waterfalls and streams.
Each of these lakes has different names depending on their appearance and characteristics and depending on the height from top to bottom are:
1- The first lake in Bulgarian is called Salzata. This lake is known as Tear in English because it has very clear water like tears. The water of the Tear Lake is so clear that you can see a great depth of water. This lake with a height of 2535 meters above sea level, an area of 7000 square meters and a depth of 4.5 meters is located above all lakes.
2. The next lake is called Okoto, which is known in English as the eye because of its oval shape. With a depth of 37.5 meters, this lake is the deepest lake among its neighbors. This lake with an area of about 608 hectares, is located at an altitude of 2440 meters above sea level.
3- The third lake with steep slopes, called Babreka, has a bean-shaped appearance and resembles a kidney, and for this reason it is known in English as kidney or the kidney. The lake is located at an altitude of 2,282 meters above sea level and has an area of about 8.5 hectares and 28 meters deep.
4- The fourth lake is called Bliznaka, which with an area of 9.1 hectares, is the largest lake in this region, and because of this size, it is known as Twin in English. The lake is located at an altitude of 2243 meters above sea level and is 27.5 meters deep.
5. Lake Trilistnika or Trefoil, with an area of 2.6 hectares, is located at an altitude of 2216 meters above sea level and with a depth of 6.5 meters, has low slopes.
6- Ribnoto ezero is the name of another of these 7 lakes, which is the shallowest lake with a depth of 2.5 meters. Among the tourists, this lake is known as Fish lake. This lake is about 2184 meters above sea level and has an area of 3.5 hectares.
7- Dolnoto ezero with an altitude of 2095 meters above sea level, is the lowest lake among these seven lakes, which has an area of 5.9 hectares and is 11 meters deep.
As usual, when you hear the name of the lake, you may remember water sports, especially swimming. But it is important to note that swimming in these lakes is prohibited.
Because the lakes are located at high altitudes, you will be surrounded by magical and extraordinary landscapes that you will not stop watching and enjoying. You can always stare at them by recording them in your camera frame.
Lakes are not accessible in all seasons and the best season to watch these clear waters is summer. Most of the year, from mid-October to mid-June, a thick layer of ice covers the lakes. The whole climate of this region changes rapidly and suddenly changes from sunny to rainy.
It is interesting to know that there is a legend about the formation of these lakes. The natives and people living in this country believe that in the distant past, the giant of the great lover cried at the top of this mountain in the void of his friend, and these lakes arose from the collection of his tears.
These lakes are important to a religious sect called Danovism, and some refer to this sect as the White Brotherhood movement. The sect was founded by a mystic named Petar Danov in the early 16th century.
Every year on August 19, everyone celebrates the beginning of the New Year in white, dancing in a circle around the lakes and performing certain movements. They believe that with these movements, they worship the sun.
