Hiking in Rila National Park (Bulgaria)

We started hiking on the red trail from Rila Monastery (1147 m) at 8:15 am, via several patches of snow and a major trail junction of 2603 m, a locked shelter I desperately thought to be a hut, and so joyfully saw the primitive 7 lake hut (hot meals for sale, 8-9 pm electricity supply, only outdoor water supply and toilet) at 4 pm so we did not have to hike uphill to Rila Lake hut. We shared dinner (homemade pickles, pork, rakia, and a birthday cake), stories and jokes with a fun loving Bulgarian hiking group, and went to bed at 9 pm to rest exhausted feet after the challenging long hike (+1600 m/ - 400 m). My soloman mid Gtx hiking boots and black diamond z-poles kept my feet dry via steams of icy water and snow patches. I even used my insulated seating pad as a snow board to slide down a steep snow covered slop.
The weather was sunny and pleasant. The pine forest provides shelter from sun. After 1700m level, the forest dissapears. I carried 2.5 litres of water (1 liter is enough so nice water sources on the way), which dragged me on the hills.

We planned to stay at Ivan Vazov hut but later learned that it was in a valley and does not provide additional view, so we hiked 2.5 hrs more to 7 lake hut.

The Seven Lakes is an area in Northwestern Rila, probably one of the most visited places in these mountains. Its popularity is due to the natural beauty of this group of glacier lakes, highest of which is located at about 2500 m. above sea level. It is named The Teardrop because of its shape. The lowest one is called The Lower Lake (surprisingly) and is at 2100 m. elevation. Between them are The Twins, The Eye, The Kidney, The Fish Lake and The Trefoil. The Eye is the deepest in the group, reaching a depth of 37,5 meters. The biggest as a surface area is the Kidney.
When waking up 2nd day, I had no energy left to hike uphill to check two remaining lakes, so I hiked to Rila Lake hut for the 20 min ski lift down (10 Levi) by myself. I was lucky to hitchhike Via Saparave Bania (no public transportation from ski lift) to Duspnitsia by a senior hiker who dropped at the bus station 5 minutes before the bus departing time to Sofia 6Lv, every 2 hours).

We met three people hiked from the opposite direction via take the chairlift to 2000m level, than hike towards monastry, which is way easier but not enough workout.

The trails are very well marked most of the times, so we did not buy a hiking map which costs 3 Levi at Sophia yet 7 Levi at the Rila Manerstery. — checked in to Rila National Park.