The Black Lake
Deep in the majestic Rila Mountains lie some of Bulgaria’s most breathtaking and mysterious lakes. Among the most visited are the Seven Rila Lakes and the lesser-known, yet equally captivating, Smradlivi Lakes. Many tourists staying in the charming town of Sapareva Banya take day trips to explore this wild and scenic part of the mountain.
The Smradlivi Lakes are a group of five glacial lakes. Some of them dry up during the hot summer months, but the largest – Smradlivoto Lake – is the biggest glacial lake not just in Bulgaria, but in the entire Balkan Peninsula. Spanning 240 decares (roughly 24 hectares) and located at an altitude of 2,293 meters, it’s a place of both natural wonder and folklore.
According to a local legend, Saint Ivan Rilski, the patron saint of Bulgaria, once lived nearby. One day, hunters found his calf in the woods and killed it. But as they carried the meat back, it began to rot and smell so bad that they threw it into the lake. The water frothed and churned, dead fish floated to the surface, and ever since, it’s said that no fish live in Smradlivoto Lake.
But even more elusive is the Black Lake – a remote and magical place that belongs to the Smradlivi group and feeds into the Rilska River. Covering 4.6 hectares, the Black Lake is one of the most difficult lakes to reach in all of Rila. Surrounded by towering ridges and steep slopes, it lies hidden in a hanging cirque, completely separated from Smradlivoto Lake by a high ridge. The ridge extends north, ending in a dramatic cliff, while a narrow ridge branches westward, encircling the lake and dividing it from the ominously named Devil’s Cirque.
There is an old trail leading from Smradlivoto Lake to the Black Lake, following the stream that drains its waters. However, the path has been forgotten over time, and very few people dare to attempt the climb. But those who do are rewarded with a landscape of raw, untouched beauty – pure alpine wilderness, crystal-clear waters, and silence broken only by the whisper of the wind.
Reaching the Black Lake isn’t easy, but those who have been there say it’s an unforgettable experience – one that connects you deeply with the power and peace of nature.