The Seven Rila Lakes (, ) are a group of tarns—glacial lakes formed in cirques—in the northwestern part of Rila Mountain in Bulgaria. Situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres elevation above sea level, they are the most visited group of lakes in Bulgaria.

Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature. The highest one is called Salzata ("The Tear") due to its clear waters that allow visibility in depth. The next one in height carries the name Okoto ("The Eye") after its almost perfectly oval form. Okoto is the deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria, with a depth of 37.5 m. Babreka ("The Kidney") is the lake with the steepest shores of the entire group. Bliznaka ("The Twin") is the largest one by area. Trilistnika ("The Trefoil") has an irregular shape and low shores. The shallowest lake is Ribnoto Ezero ("The Fish Lake") and the lowest one is Dolnoto Ezero ("The Lower Lake"), where the waters that flow out of the other lakes are gathered to form the Dzherman River.

The Seven Lakes are a tourist attraction in Bulgaria because of its natural environment. The lakes are located one above the other and are connected by small streams, which form tiny waterfalls and cascades. Tourist accommodation in the lakes' vicinity include a chalet on the northeastern shore of The Fish Lake, at an elevation of 2,196 m. The most common time to visit the lakes is summer, in July and August, when temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius and the risk of sudden storms is lower. During the rest of the year the weather can be severe. The lakes usually freeze during October, and do not melt before June. The ice cover can reach up to 2 meters.

List English name Bulgarian name (transliterated) Altitude Area Depth Notes The Tear Сълзата (Salzata) Named after its clear waters The Eye Окото (Okoto) Named after its oval shape. Deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria The Kidney Бъбрека (Babreka) Steepest shores of all The Twin Близнака (Bliznaka) Largest by area The Trefoil Трилистника (Trilistnika) Irregular shape and low shores Fish Lake Рибното езеро (Ribnoto ezero) Shallowest The Lower Lake Долното езеро (Dolnoto ezero) Lowest

Gallery

See also

List of lakes Lists of lakes

References