Bulgaria · Rila · Southwestern Bulgaria

Bliznaka

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Близнака

Bliznaka, the Twin, is the fourth of the Seven Rila Lakes and the largest of them by area. It lies north of the peak Damga, at the western foot of Haramiyata, and is the third deepest of the seven after Okoto and Bŭbreka. It is made of two parts joined by a narrow, shallow channel, which gave it its name and its older Turkish name, Chifte Gyol. The southern part is deeper, enclosed by steep rock walls under which large snow drifts last until late summer, while the northern part is shallower, with gentle shores.

How it formed

At 2,243 m and up to 27.5 m deep, it collects the water of the three lakes above it, Salzata, Okoto and Babreka, which drain into it separately. From here the water runs on through Trilistnika, Ribnoto and Dolnoto to form the Dzherman river. In a drought, the narrow middle can almost dry out, leaving two small lakes in the shape of an hourglass.

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Photo: Dido3 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Izvora · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Swimming

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Tips

Bliznaka is one of the Seven Rila Lakes, passed on the walk from the old hut past the Fish Lake and Trilistnika on the way up to Babreka. A chairlift from Panichishte saves most of the climb, the full round of about 8.4 km takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, and July to September is the season. See the Seven Rila Lakes page for more.

The lift can stop in strong wind, closes on the last Monday of each month and for about two weeks each in spring and October for maintenance, so check before you go, and note the time of the last lift down. Without it, the walk from the bottom station adds about an hour and a half. Food is sold only at the start of the trail, so bring food, water and layers, and carry cash for the lift. Many hikers climb Ezeren peak above the lakes for the panorama, and the six Urdini lakes are a quieter group close by.