4 Bulgaria Hiking Tours Worth Flying For

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour - The Panichishte chairlift and the first mountain views

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 923 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $47Our pick

Travel from Sofia to Panichishte, ride the chairlift into Rila National Park, and hike among Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes with an English-speaking guide such as Stoyan, Radi, or Maya. Expect a 10 to 12-hour day, steep trails, changeable weather, and snow-covered lakes in winter and spring. A self-guided option is also available.

“The 7 Rila Lakes tour was absolutely amazing! Everything was perfectly organized and our guide was wonderful – very professional, knowledgeable, and kind. The group was international, which made the experience even more special, as we all connected and enjoyed the day together. The scenery was breathtaking and the whole trip was a highlight of my stay in Bulgaria. I would highly recommend it to anyone!”

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Bulgaria Hiking Tours, Full-Day, Guided Day Hikes, Hiking Tours, Lake & Lagoon Hikes, Mountain & Summit Hikes, Sofia Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews

Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

2.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $35Cheapest way up

Leave Sofia by comfortable minivan or bus, ride the Panichishte chairlift, then spend about five hours hiking among the Seven Rila Lakes. This is a self-guided outing, not a guided hike. Your English-speaking driver handles the transport, while an optional audio guide adds background in nine languages. Bring food, cash, sturdy shoes, and warm layers.

“It was challenging but very enjoyable. Everything went very smoothly with meeting and travelling to this amazing area. The walk was a little challenging for me as a reasonably fit senior. Our guide loaned me his hiking stick which made all the difference to my hike and to my day. I feel I met the challenge even though I didn’t make it to the very top. Very happy anyway and the scenery really made it all very worth it. The chairlift ride was also wonderful. I recommend using the hiking sticks for those who are older and or not so fit to ensure you have a great experience. Fabulous day…”

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Bulgaria Hiking Tours, Full-Day, Hikes with Hot Springs, Hiking Tours, Lake & Lagoon Hikes, Mountain & Summit Hikes, Sofia Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

3.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

Leave Sofia early with a licensed mountain guide, ride the chairlift to the Seven Rila Lakes, and choose a 3 or 5-hour trail above the tree line. Guides such as Daniel, Velko, Kiril, and Swet have helped guests handle snow, fog, and changing fitness levels. Finish with two hours at Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“We had the chance to be just the two of us on this day tour and we spent a very nice time with Kiril, a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the seven lakes and their biodiversity, he told us about the history of Bulgaria and even bought us some delicious organic pears and apricots. He proposed to us different options adapted to our physical condition and our wishes. We could walk on a lovely way far from other tourists and be literally alone in the mountains. The view on the top was awesome, it was a wonderful moment. Then, Kiril drove us to the spa where we could…”

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Bulgaria Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Lake & Lagoon Hikes, Massage & Relaxation, Sofia Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

4.From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Travel from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes with a private English-speaking guide, ride the chairlift, and choose a three-hour or five-hour mountain walk. Finish at Sapareva Banya, where thermal pools ranging from 15 to 45°C offer welcome relief. Guides including Mariya, Marin, Velko, and Krill have led this route.

“Our Guide, Mariya was amazing! She gave us historical informations about her country,Bulgaria, in which she is passionate about. She is a wonderful mountain guide, she is patient ,and knowledgeable. I forgot my pair of gloves,so she offered hers, and also let's us use her personal trekking poles.. We really had a wonderful time with her She is prompt and a very good communicator. I highly recommend Mariya to be your guide. Thank you,Mariya!”

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Other ways to spend the day on foot

Mountain & Summit Hikes129 Volcano Hikes97 Waterfall Hikes60 Guided Day Hikes93 Glacier Hikes51 National Park Hikes42

4 Bulgaria Hiking Tours Worth Flying For

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

1.From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

2.Seven Rila Lakes – Full Day Hiking Trip in the Rila Mountain

Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

3.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

4.From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

Pick a kind of walking day

Above the treeline

Water and rock

How you walk it

Trees and trails