IT’S A LOOP!!
…or more accurately, a “g”, since after lake #5, Kidney Lake, continuing straight takes you further up to Eye and Tear (6th and 7th) Lakes and spectacular Birdseye views of all other lakes. However, upon returning, veering to your right and following the clearly marked “easier longer” path down, affords you up-close visits to Twin, Trefoil and Fish Lakes, where many stop for lunch, snacks or hot drinks at the 7th Hut, if they haven’t already done so at many of other lakeshore spots.
Alternatively, I saw still others split off on a trail that bisects Trefoil and Twin Lakes and wraps around that 4th lake to parts unknown.
In general, so much misinformation from locals who are either ignorant or purposely misleading foreigners for, as many have told me, “Some just don’t want outsiders in certain areas.”
Like their entire country?
Of course, I could’ve been like everyone else and read several sites and scoured written information – Pavel, from Smart Hostel in Sofia, who’s fluent in a couple languages could’ve been the best source, yet he was always incredibly busy and he even said,
“No, I don’t want [to help you],” when I told him I’d already figured out something with my SIM cell On-line account and he was following up.
“If you don’t mind.”
“No, I really do [mind].”
And when I laughed, “I appreciate your honesty, as he still took a look at my phone and was surprised it was all set up,
“We Bulgarians are blunt and to the point.”
“Like New Yorkers,” I said. “Straight and to the point. I love your honesty. I’d rather have that than people being ultra polite, while clearly unwilling.”
Not being too critical. I have had very little issues aside from the initial bus ride from Istanbul. A father berated me as I held a conversation with a Moroccan student returning to finish his semester, a Syrian family of four intrigued with learning more about English lessons for their two kids.
“Hey, mutha fucka, you guys are way too loud!!! My baby boy is tryin’ to sleep! Shut the fuck up!!! You’re keeping us all awake….”
At least this is what I imagine him saying.
And as this WENT ON for another 30 seconds I yelled.
“Yeah, WE GOT IT! I GOT IT!!”
He went on for a little longer, while his 10-year-old slept soundlessly slumped against his mother.
So, we kindly lowered our voices as the Moroccan told me, “That’s actually not too uncommon. I was talking with another foreigner in English and another guy yelled at us for talking.”
I went out of my way to look up “Your dad is a douchbag.” “Your dad should eat a bag of dicks.” and a few other choice expressions in case he persisted.
Don’t get me wrong, since that initial negative interaction, I have not experienced another quite so visceral.
On the whole, Bulgarians have been extremely friendly and open to conversations, helping when turned around or otherwise…
LOST!
Again, and as y’all will see in the following COMPLETE Seven Rila Lakes video more on the Great White Brotherhood’s fountain, just beyond Fish Lake, from where many gather energy and water from the “ivory” hands laid into a cup from the icy snows above.
A little ways beyond, there’s another steep and sometimes hard-to-find trail up past the pointed peak to still more lesser known lakes.
I took that trail after talking with Bettina, a local who’d stay out there (7th Hut) for a week.
“No, Ivan Vazov Hut (about five hours from 7th Hut) isn’t nearly as beautiful as it is here,” her parting words. “It’s just a small hut in a valley with not much around. I ditched the friends I came with, last Sunday and it’s the best decision I’ve made; staying here alone this last week. I’ve cleared my mind, it’s so refreshing here.”
Therefore, I stayed at this hut near Fish Lake, doing side hikes (g loops) to lesser known lakes and meeting local mountain guides for greater understanding of the region and its mystical connections as well as Israeli teens and young adults hiking for 3-7 days through these and dozens other lakes, yet only perhaps seven possible huts or refuges available.
The more intrepid had tents and dry goods for pitching tents and staking temporary claims to patches of land wherever and whenever necessary. But most were trekking from cabin to cabin, on tight schedules, needing to be in Varna (beach resort area on the Black Sea) or to Rila Monastery or other exit trails on the other sides of Rila National Park.
Other DumbDumb Nuts
Maps
After watching video a second or 3rd time, I have noticed that this map’s colored “arrows” aren’t instructing which way to go…
So!
Perhaps had that first map I’m referring to (2:07 min) had colored CIRCLES instead of ARROWS, it wouldn’t be so confusing.
https://rilamonasterybus.com/2019/11/02/seven-rila-lakes-sofia-traventuria/
Edits to this above article
Last Summer Lift comes down at 18:30.
Still, without a car, bring a number of a taxi driver to bring you the rest of the 8 klms down into Sapareva Banya or wherever you’re staying.I never learned how much it was to stay in Pionerska/Panichishte Cabins
While $17/night for Dorms and approximately $42/night for double rooms, family rooms can be rented at Rila Lodge at the top of lift.
Lift R/T = $13Lift DOWN =$8
Rila Seven Lakes Hike – plan for another 5 hours R/T as it’s a dreaded In-n-Out not a Loop = like I was hoping it’d hoped.
1/2 hour hike to 7th Rila Lake Hut = $11/night single and groups of up to 12 stay here for a few dollars less/PER person.
Amenities in this slightly higher hut are less, though Radik speaks English and Russian and he’s an Encyclopedia of information.
Thanks Radik!!!
Do Epic Shit 