Kirilova Polyana - Tiha Rila - Ribni Ezera Hut

The dirt road to Tikha Rila follows the course of the Manastirska River, a tributary of the Rilska River, which originates from the Ribni Lakes. Most of the time, the trail goes through a forest, eventually opening up into an open meadow. Along the road, there are information signs and an arrow at the fork towards the Manastirski Lakes, which we will not be following here. After a iron bridge, we will see a short path on the right, from where we can catch a glimpse of the Dyavolska Reka (Devil's River) waterfall, which is very close to the road. The walk takes about two hours, during which time a vertical gain of over 500 meters is climbed along the relatively gentle path.

When we reach the canton, the building at the end of the road, we will see a turnoff to the right, crossing a long wooden bridge over the marshy meadow. This is the trail to Smradlivoto Ezero (Stinky Lake) and is the more difficult option for reaching Ribni Ezera Hut. However, we will continue along the road and leave it, keeping a close eye out for the trail markers - it is easy to get confused here by continuing along a narrower extension of the dirt road, which crosses one of the streams to the right.

Next is an uphill climb along a trail through dwarf pine, interspersed with occasional small meadows and a wooden bridge, until we reach Dolno Ribno Ezero (Lower Fish Lake), whose shore we will walk along. The hut is situated right between it and Gorno Ribno Ezero (Upper Fish Lake).