Places

Zliya zub (which translates as The Evil Tooth) is located on the main Malyovisko ridge between the peaks of Orlovets and Lovnitsa, but unlike them, it is accessible only by using climbing equipment, even in the summer.

Strashnoto Ezero (The Scary Lake) is a glacial lake situated beneath a crown of rocky peaks, including Golyam Kupen - the highest peak of the Malyovistsa section of Rila. A stone shelter has been built next to it, equipped with a wood-burning stove and beds with blankets. The most common question about Strashnoto Ezero is what makes it so scary. The answer: nothing in particular. Years ago, before the shelter by the lake was built, a painter from Samokov named Hristo Yonchev-Kriskarets was caught in a thunderstorm up there and got terrified. He told his friends about the incident and how scary it was, and that is how the lake got its name. Whether this story is true we do not know, but we can say with certainty that Yonchevo Ezero (Yonchev's Lake), located about an hour below Strashnoto Ezero, is indeed named after Hristo Yonchev.

This lake is the second largest of the group of Hvoinati (Ovinati) lakes, to which the popular Muratovo Lake belongs. Unlike Muratovo Lake, the other Hvoinati lakes do not have official names, so the name used here is indicative.

Banderishka Porta (Gate) is a saddle located between Muratov Peak and Donchovi Karauli and connects Banderishka Circus with Spano Pole. A marked route passes through it, leading from Vihren hut to Sinanitsa hut or Spano Pole shelter. From the gate, you can climb the panoramic Muratov Peak, as well as the rocky ridge of Donchovi Karauli.

A turquoise lake located between Sinanitsa Hut and the marble wall of Sinanitsa Ridge.

The Ribno Vasilashko Lake is the lowest-lying lake in the Vasilashko Lakes group.

Todorina Porta (Gate) is a saddle, connecting the Banderishki Circus with the Vasilashki Circus. The marked trail from Vihren Hut to Demyanitsa Hut passes through it.

Zhabeshko (Frog) Lake is located under the southern slope of Malka Todorka and offers a wonderful panorama of Muratov Peak, whose pyramidal silhouette is reflected in its waters. The lake is part of the Banderishki Lakes group and owes its name to the tadpoles that can be seen in its warm, shallow waters in the summer. The marked trail from Vihren hut to Demyanitsa hut runs along the shore of the lake.

Borov Kamak (Pine Stone) Waterfall is located in Vratchansky Balkan Natural Park on the upper reaches of Leva River. It can be reached along the Borov Kamak eco-trail, which starts from the village of Zgorigrad and climbs along the deep canyon of the river, past the many small waterfalls and pools. Wooden bridges have been built along the trail, without which the steep stone bed would be impassable.

Borov Kamak Shelter is located in a wide meadow, about a ten-minute walk from the waterfall of the same name.

Kushbunar is a spring in the Sinite Kamani (Blue Stones) Nature Park near Sliven. It is surrounded by centuries-old beech trees.

Futula Waterfall is located in the Sinite Kamani (Blue Stones) Nature Park above Sliven. It is accessible from the upper station of the chairlift along a marked trail.

Alekovo Lake is the third (from top to bottom) of the Musala Lakes group. It is located at the foot of Aleko Peak, and the summer trail from Musala Hut to Musala Peak passes along its shore. Its color varies from dark blue in cloudy weather to turquoise when lit by the sun.

Musala is the highest peak in Rila and the entire Balkan Peninsula. In the summer, it is easily accessible via a marked trail with no technical difficulties, starting from the upper station of the "Yastrebets" gondola lift. Its accessibility makes it a top selfie destination, so there are summer weekends when the peak becomes surprisingly difficult to reach.

Smradlivoto (Stinky) Lake is the largest glacial lake in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula. It is located under Rilets peak and is easily accessible via marked trails from the "Tiha Rila" canton and the Ribni Ezera hut. This is one of dozens of places in Bulgaria that, despite their beauty, have names that can hardly be described as romantic. Next to the lake is Kyoravitsa Peak ("Kyorav" being a derogatory adjective for someone who is blind), and if we go hunting for beautiful views with peculiar names, we can find two more in Rila alone: ​​Svinskoto Lake (Pig Lake) in the Malyovitsa region, as well as Chervivito Lake (Wormy/Maggoty Lake), located below Shishkovitsa Peak (Shisko = an overweight person).

Trionite (The Saws) is a highly jagged rocky ridge that connects Musala Peak with the second-highest peak in the Rila Mountains, Malka Musala. Trionite, along with the northern slope of Malka Musala, are considered the most difficult sections of the classic Musala Traverse.

Mechit Peak (or Golyam Mechit) is a panoramic peak in the Malyovitsa section of Rila.

The largest and deepest lake in the Banderishki Lakes group.

"Singing Rocks" (Peeshti Skali) is a rock formation located on the main ridge of the Balkan Mountains, between the peaks of Valcha Glava (Korubashitsa) and Rosovatets, about an hour away from Mazalat Hut. The trail from Mazalat Hut to Tazha Hut passes through them, which is part of the Kom-Emine long distance trail. They got their name because of the sounds the rocks make when the wind blows through the gaps between them. What these sounds are like, I don't know - I've never heard them, nor do I know anyone who has. But the place is visually interesting, so given the short hike to get there from Mazalat Hut (about an hour), it is well worth a visit.

An umnanned shelter, located on Ambaritsa Peak (Vasil Levski). It is suitable for taking shelter in unforeseen situations and can accommodate up to four people.