Rila: Yonchevo and Strashnoto lakes

A classic one-day circular route, full of Rila's beauty, peaks and lakes... 🏔️

Programme:

All travellers meet the guides at the Malyovitsa Central Mountain School at 09:00. From here our hike begins to two of the most beautiful and iconic lakes of Rila, Yonchevo and Strashnoto.

The names of both are linked to the story of the Samokov painter Hristo Yonchev-Kriskarets. One of the lakes is named after him, and Strashnoto ("the Frightful one") owes its name to an incident from the past. Once, while he was by the lake, a violent thunderstorm caught him. He ran downhill, and when asked where he had been, he replied: "At the Frightful lake!"

After our second longer rest by Strashnoto lake, at the foot of the peaks Popova Kapa (2704 m) and Malak, Sreden and Golyam Kupen (2731 m), we continue to the Malyovitsa hut, where we take a well-earned rest and have time for a bite to eat.

From the hut another 40 minutes or so remain until we are back at the cars at the Malyovitsa Central Mountain School, and with that the circle is closed! 😊

• Duration: ~7 hours
• Distance: ~12 km
• Elevation: +750 m / -750 m
• Difficulty level: moderate, for people in good physical shape.