Looking for the best one-day hikes from Borovets? Or thinking of hiking in Rila? You’ve come to the right place!
Rila Mountain, where Borovets is situated, is the highest mountain in Bulgaria. Still, it offers numerous hikes suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. I’ve hiked in Rila extensively growing up and have picked some of the nicest trails for you.
Let’s get started!
What You'll Find In This Post:
Note:This post contains links to Google Maps, as I’ve linked all the starting points, car parks and points of interest I mention in the article.
In case of an emergency or if you suffer an accident, dial 112 to reach mountain rescue services.
Musala is the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkans, and one of my absolute favourite one-day hikes. It’s not too challenging, but it’s incredibly rewarding—you’ll stand on the highest point in the Balkans!
For the complete guide on climbing Musala, check this post out:
After a rest at Musala Hut, continue about 2 hours to Ledeno Ezero Shelter.
Last steep stretch to the summit takes ~30–45 mins. It’s the most challenging part, but manageable.
At the top: a meteorological station, and occasionally, some excellent herbal tea if you’re lucky.
Detailed trail description:
The trail starts at the top Yastrebets lift station, from there you’ll walk for about 45 minutes on a dirt road to Musala hut.
Road to Musala Hut
Shortly after leaving the station, and if the weather allows it, you’ll be able to see the peak in the distance – it’s an awe-inspiring view – even more so when you think that you’ll be up there in a few hours time! When you reach Musala hut, you can have a little break, before moving on and onto the first more serious climb on the trail. From there, you’ll need about 2 hours to reach the next ‘checkpoint’ – Ledeno Ezero Shelter (The Icy Lake) – mostly on a gravel mountain path, going slightly up and down.
Ledenoto Ezero from above
There’s a landlady in the shelter, so you can get a hot beverage or something to eat here. It’s about 30–45 mins from Ledeno Ezero to the top. This is the steepest, most challenging part of the hike, and you’ll need to watch your step. Nonetheless, it’s not really that difficult or technical, so even inexperienced hikers can do it. When I took my wife there for the first time, it was her first-ever hike and we managed to get to the peak without a hitch!
Weather station on Musala
You can expect to make your way back faster, at least because you won’t need so many breaks, however, even so, you’re looking at a 7-8 hour hikein total. Considering that the last gondola is at 6 pm, you should leave relatively early in the morning, otherwise face the prospect of having to walk to Borovets.
This is not so much a hike, but more like a very nice and pleasing walk in to the hut. If you’re looking for a more laid-back walk in nature or to warm up before going to Musala, this is a great hike! For a little bit extra, you could continue on to Maritsa Hut, which would add some two more hours to your hike.
This is a gentle and scenic walk—perfect for warming up before bigger hikes.
Chakur Voivoda hut
Getting There:
You can either walk or take the Sitnyakovo lift.
Lift open: Fri–Tues, 8:30 am – 6:20 pm
Same prices as Yastrebets Lift
Ride time: ~6 minutes
Sitnyakovo Lift
You’ll spend most of the time walking on a dirt road, with some small inclination. It takes between 1 hour and 1.5 hours to get to the hut. Chakur Voivoda Hut is a great place to have lunch. They have a relatively varied menu and everything is prepared there.
👉Lunch Tip: Try the Bob Chorba (bean stew) if available—it’s delicious!
This is a little combo hike, combining parts of the two hikes already mentioned. You’ll again take the Yastrebets lift and walk to Musala Hut. However, this time, instead of going on towards Musala peak, you’ll take a left turn to Chakar Voivoda hut. The cool thing about this trek is that you can use the same ticket you bought for the gondola lift at Sintyakovo express lift to get down back to Borovets. Just bear in mind the opening hours of the lifts that you can check again here and here.
Yastrebets Gondola
Trail overview:
Start by walking to Musala Hut.
Instead of heading to the peak, take the left trail towards Chakar Voivoda Hut.
Walk along a ridge near the Yellow Lakes before descending.
Sintyakovo lift accepts Yastrebets lift return ticket to go back to Borovets
Detailed trail description:
After the gondola leaves you at the top station, you head to Musala hut. From there, take the trail on the left of the lake. After a little while, you’ll start the only serious climb until you reach the ridge and the Yellow lakes, which you’ll be able to see on your right. Then you just continue walking on the ridge before starting your descend towards Chakur Voivoda hut. Depending on when you started in the morning, you can have lunch at Chakur Voivoda, as I mentioned above, the food is fantastic!
The Yellow lakes
You’ll need about 45 mins from the hut to the top station of Sintyakovo lift, where, using your return Yastrebets ticket, you’ll enjoy the ride back to Borovets. Of course, if you want to hike even more, you can skip the lift and walk to Borovets instead.
You’ll need to drive ~1 hour to the Rila Lakes area from Borovets. The hikes can still be done easily as day trips.
Getting There
Drive via Samokov → Sapareva Banya → Panichishte.
The mountain road from Sapareva Banya to Panichishte is quite curvy, but manageable. You can just set your navigation to the car park next to Rila Lakes Lift.
Note: Buses exist but are unreliable. Ask your accommodation about a private transfer if needed.
🕒Duration: about 3.5-4 hours (loop) or 5–6 hours (via Skakaviza Hut)
🟢 Easy to 🟡 Moderate
This has to be one of the most visited trails in Bulgaria and some of the most beautiful glacial lakes in Bulgaria. The Seven Rila Lakes trail offers magnificent views, and it’s not really that difficult to do. I’ll offer two versions of this trail, one is a simple loop, starting from the top station of the lift – in this case you’ll use the lift with a return ticket.
The other will bring you down to the car park, via Skakavitsa hut. That’s a great option, if you’re looking for something a bit longer, and a tiny bit off the main (and very crowded) tourist trail. That way, you can use the lift just with a single ticket, saving a bit of money.
View from Lake Peak
You can drive up to the down station of the Rila Lakes Lift, leave your car there (daily rate should be about 5-6 BGN (3 EUR)), get on the lift and embark on your adventure.
You’ll start the trek taking the trail left from the Rila Lakes Hut, after about 30 mins you will reach the first of the Seven Lakes – the Lower Lake. From there you’ll continue on for about 20 mins towards the old Seven Lakes Hut, that is on the shore of the second lake – the Fish Lake.
The next two lakes come in quick succession, less than 10 mins from each other – The Trefoil lake and the Twin lake (largest by area). After about another 20 mins, you’ll reach the fifth of the Seven Lakes – the Kidney. This is a great place for a bit of a longer break and maybe a snack.
The Kidney
Afterwards, you’ll begin climbing toward the Lake peak, passing along the way the sixth lake – the Eye, which is the deepest of them all. The whole climb should take about 40 minutes. You can see the seventh and last lake just before the final ascend – the Tear.
When you’ve taken all the pictures and views and are ready to head back, you’ll go down to the Kidney the same way. Here, however, I suggest you continue straight on walking on the ridge so that you don’t walk the same way back.
The Eye
It should take you something like 1.5 hours to get back to the lift.
If you’re interested in extending your hike a little, just before the descend towards the lift, you can continue straight on and go down to the car park via Skakavitsa hut, where you can enjoy a beverage before continuing. The whole ‘detour’ should take about 2-2.5 hours. You can find plotted maps for both options below.
This is a beautiful-forested trail leading to the highest waterfall in Rila (70 m) – Skakavitsa waterfall. It is also a great option if you want something quieter and shaded.
You can leave your car at the same car park as for the Seven Rila Lakes tour. From there you need to find the trail towards Skakavitsa hut. You’ll be steadily ascending and this part should take no more than 2 hours. When you arrive at the hut, you can have something to eat or go directly to the waterfall, it’s about 40 minutes from there.
This is a great base for a few adventurous hikes and it’s just 40 mins by car from Borovets. It’s closer than Panichishte and the drive is even easier.
Again, both trails I’ve picked can easily be done in a day, including the drive. As with Panichiste, the bus services between Borovets and Malyovitsa are limited, so look for a private transfer if you don’t have a car.
This is quite a challenging but rewarding hike, with a stunning alpine lake and panoramic views.
Trail Overview
1 hour to Malyovitsa Hut
1.5 hours to Elenino Lake (a perfect break spot)
40 minutes final climb to summit—watch your step on the eroded rocks
Detailed trail description:
You’ll start at the car park in the Malyovitsa holiday area, from there you’ll make your way to Malyovitsa hut on a dirt road through the forest, which takes about an hour.
From the hut, you take the red trail towards the peak. On your route you’ll also pass the Elenino Lake (Elena’s Lake), a pristine alpine lake with crystal clear water, situated just before the final ascend. It takes about 1.5 hours to go from the hut to the lake, including a steep ascend to it.
Malyovitsa peak (Image by Svetoslav Markov from Pixabay)
Elenino Lake is a great place to stop and have a breather, before the final climb to the summit, which takes about 40 mins. The stones in the last section, along the ridge connecting Malyovitsa with its neighbouring peak, are quite eroded, which makes this the most dangerous stretch of the whole trail. You need to pay extra attention here on your way down.
👉Tip: I’d recommend climbing to the top, descending back to the lake (it’ll be a bit quicker on your way down) and then having lunch there. Afterwards, you go back to the car park the same way you came up.
This is a tranquil trail that takes you to two serene lakes along Malyovitsa Hut and Malyovitsa river.
Trail Overview
Head left at the car park for Yonchevo and Strashno Lakes
Shelter near Strashno, but bring your own food and water
Return via a loop past Malyovitsa Hut and along the river
Detailed trail description:
You’ll start at the end of the road, where you can leave your car at a car park for a daily fee of 5 BGN (2.5 EUR).
Yonchevo Lake
From there you need to take the left trail towards Yonchevo Ezero (Yonchevo Lake) and Strashno Ezero (the Scary Lake). There is a small shelter when you reach Strashno Lake, but there is no landlord so you can’t really buy anything to drink or eat, so make sure to take your lunch with you. That being said, this is a great location to have said lunch, next to the lake.
You can go back the way you came, but I suggest making a loop and going back from the other side, passing on your way Malyovitsa hut and through the forest and along the river.
Whether you want to summit a dramatic peak or take a peaceful walk in the forest, Borovets and the Rila Mountains have you covered. So, start planning your next adventure and hit the trails.
I love finding new places off the beaten track and exploring local cultures and cuisine. I go about my life with one quote in mind: "You will never waste your money on travelling" - Trevor Noah.
When I am not on the road, you'll find me in the kitchen stirring up trouble.
by Nik Gr on plotaroute.com
