Bulgaria · Northern Bulgaria

Lake Rabisha

Directions

Рабишко езеро

Lake Rabisha is the largest natural inland lake in Bulgaria by area. It lies in Vidin Province between the villages of Tolovitsa and Rabisha, at the western end of the Fore-Balkan, below the Rabisha mound. It has a tectonic origin: layers of rock shifted to form a local basin which later filled with water, and until recently it was thought to be a karst lake. It has almost no catchment and no outflow. In the past people believed the lake bottomless and linked it with the strong karst spring of Rabisha, close by and lower down. Today it also serves as a reservoir of the Rabisha irrigation system, collecting the waters of the Vidbol and Archar rivers behind a dam at its western end. The lake offers good swimming and is known for carp, silver carp, grass carp, pike and catfish, and for waterfowl hunting.

History

A local legend tells of a monster in the lake that demanded a beautiful village girl as a sacrifice.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: Красимир Косев · CC BY 3.0

Photo: Jordani_av · CC BY 3.0

Show all photos

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lake lies between Rabisha and Tolovitsa, on the way from Belogradchik to the Magura cave, about 20–25 km from the town. Belogradchik is about three hours by car from Sofia, and its tourist information centre (weekdays, 09:00–17:00) can advise on routes and guides. Electric bikes can be hired in the centre of the town for the ride out, and a ride around the lake takes no more than an hour.

The surroundings suit camping and picnics, people fish and swim in summer, and migrating birds stop here. July and August are the warmest months, and mornings are best for the lakeside path and small boats, as it can be windy in the afternoon. Magura, one of the largest caves in Bulgaria, with its prehistoric rock drawings, is next door, and the Belogradchik rocks and fortress are a short drive away.