If you a mountain lover you must visit the magical Rila mountain with its splended Seven Rila Lakes – a group of lakes in the Northwestern part of it, located stepwise between 2095 and 2535 m altitude. They fit the pits on the slope of the mountain, and each lake is connected to the other by small streams. When the water passes along these streams, small waterfalls and cascades are formed. The first three lakes – the Tear, the Eye and the Kidney – each drain into the Twin, from which the water passes successively through the Trilistnika, the Fishy and the Lower Lake.

The name of each of the seven Rila lakes reflects some peculiarity of the respective lake. The highest lake is called the Tear because of the transparency of the water. Next is the Eye (also called the Heart), which is approximately oval in shape. It is the deepest circus lake in Bulgaria – its depth is 37.5 m. Kidney is the lake with the steepest shores of the whole group. The fourth lake is Twin; it is the largest of the seven. Lake Trilistnika has an irregular shape and low shores. The shallowest is the Fishy Lake; on its northeastern shore is the hut “Seven Lakes”. The lowest is the Lower Lake, from which the German River starts.

The legend of the seven Rila lakes tells that thousands of years ago, when there were no people on earth, two giants lived in the Rila Mountain – a man and a woman. They loved each other madly and adored the beauty and comfort of their home.

Their home was so attractive, sunny, warm and cozy that it could not fail to enchant every living being, and all the elements and the whole world enjoyed their love.

Unfortunately, one day evil forces passed by their home. Seeing this beautiful place, they envied the family happiness of the giants, got angry and decided to destroy everything and erase their love forever. They began to send black clouds and devastating winds. Terrible earthquakes shook the earth.

The giant fiercely defended every blade of grass, every little stream or flower, defended his beloved and repulsed the attacks of evil forces. However, this only inflamed their great malice and cruelty and they decided to finish their hellish work.

In a heavy battle, the young giant was killed. Satisfied with their victory, the evil forces left, leaving behind broken rocks, ruined valleys, and a grief-stricken woman. The young widow’s grief was so great that her tears flowed incessantly and ran down the ridges straight into the valleys. They poured and gathered in the ravines as they formed clear lakes of astonishing purity.

When you climb, just before the Lake Kidney, you can see a huge rock in the direction of the Lake Tear. The shape of the rock resembles the figures of a man and a woman of enormous size. According to legend, these are the two lovers who will stay forever to keep their beautiful home

The place has a lot of energy and mystery. In the 3rd week of August each year, followers of the White Brotherhood from all over the world gather here and play special dance called Panevritmia. This is an amazing time to witness and participate in this ritual but be prepared to bring your own tent and food – place is overcrowded.

There is a good asphalt road to the lift which can take you to the Lowest lake and the hut there. But if you decide to take the path for 3 hours you will not regret.

The area is part of the National Nature park Rila and is a protected zone.