The Seven Rila Lakes Part 2

The Seven Rila Lakes is a group of lakes of glacial origin located in the Rila Mountains. This is the lake group most visited by tourists in Bulgaria and is one of the hundred national tourist sites.

The lakes are located in Northwestern Rila and are staggered between 2095 and 2535 m above sea level. They occupy depressions on the mountainside, and the individual lakes are connected to each other by small streams. During the passage of the water along these streams, small waterfalls and rapids were formed. The first three lakes - the Tear, the Eye and the Kidney - each drain separately into Bliznaka, from which the water passes successively through Trilistnika, Ribnoto and Dolnoto lake. A more powerful stream flows through the last two lakes, which, flowing out of the lowermost lake, gives rise to the Jerman River (a left tributary of the Struma).

The name of each of the seven Rila lakes reflects some feature of the respective lake. The lake, which is located at the highest altitude, is called the Tear because of the transparency of the waters. Next in height is the Eye (also called the Heart), which is roughly oval in shape. Okoto is the deepest circus lake in Bulgaria - its depth is 37.5 m. Kidney is the lake with the steepest banks of the whole group.

The fourth lake is Bliznaka; it is the largest in area of ​​the seven. Lake Trilistnika has an irregular shape and low banks. The shallowest is Fish Lake; on its northeastern shore is the "Seven Lakes" hut. The lowest point is Lower Lake, from which the German River originates.