Seven Rila Lakes

General data

Name: Seven Rila Lakes
Water system: Struma (Strymonas)
Water type: Natural lake
Progression: Dzherman -> Struma (Strymonas) -> Aegean Sea -> Mediterranean Sea -> Atlantic Ocean -> Planet Earth
Climates: Subtropical
Continents: Europe
Countries: Bulgaria

The Seven Rila Lakes (Bulgarian: Седемте рилски езера) 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.

Seven Rila Lakes

General data

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