Rila Mountains Adventure in the Snow

Seven Lakes Rila Mountain

One of the getaways I was most excited about was hiking in the Rila Mountains. It looked unbelievably gorgeous, and for once, the forecast showed decent weather. I always seem to find myself in this part of the world during the coldest, greyest, wettest pockets of the year—fitting for the Balkans, honestly. But it would’ve been nice to hike up a mountain in sunshine without being wrapped in ten layers.

It was supposed to be only a bit rainy, so I brought my Patagonia rain jacket just in case. It poured rain the entire 2 hour drive. I wasn’t worried about rain—I can handle rain—I was worried about fog. I love a tasty little view, and the fog was about to ruin that.

As we got closer, the rain let up… but the temperature dropped fast. Our first stop after the two‑hour drive was an open ski lift—35 minutes straight up to base camp. The lift ride was bitter cold, and halfway up the rain transformed into sleet and snow. By the time I reached the start of the trail, there were already six inches of snow on the ground.

Base camp was a small building—partially heated—with cafeteria food, coffee, snacks, and a fireplace that looked better than it functioned.

I hadn’t paid extra for the guided hike, but since it was a single path up the mountain, I stayed close enough to the guide to follow along. A nice way to save a few bucks.

I didn’t have hiking poles, which would’ve been useful mostly to test snow depth. Instead, I trudged uphill in leggings, trail runners, light gloves, and my rain jacket. Thankfully, good gear is worth its weight in gold—everything held up against the cold and the occasional wind bursts.

Unfortunately, the fog never fully lifted. The views were almost entirely white‑out conditions, though there was still something beautiful about the brightness, the silence, and the snow. I could make out the outlines of the lakes, and it made me imagine how stunning this trail must be in summer. No wonder there are so many group tours through here during the warmer months.

Still—I love being outdoors, even when conditions aren’t ideal. That’s the gamble with nature. Sometimes you get the perfect picturesque hike; other times you get sleet, fog, and snow. But both teach you something. You learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable and to appreciate the experience for what it is.

Rila Monastery

After the hike, we made our way to the Rila Monastery—one of Bulgaria’s most iconic religious and cultural sites. Even if you’re exhausted, frozen, or soaked from the mountains, it’s worth the detour.

The monastery sits tucked deep in the forested Rila Mountains, surrounded by towering peaks and quiet valleys. The moment you walk into the courtyard, you’re hit with the contrast: bold black-and-white striped archways, vibrant frescoes, and the stone fortress-like walls encircling the grounds.

Inside the church, every inch of the interior is covered in artwork—saints, biblical scenes, gold details, all glowing in the dim light. Photography inside is limited, but honestly, it’s one of those places better experienced than captured.

Outside, monks move quietly between buildings, and the whole area feels peaceful in a way that forces you to slow down. After the chaos of the weather on the mountain, the calmness felt almost surreal.

Fun fact: there’s a little pastry site outside the monastery where they sell fresh bread made by the monks. Definitely worth buying a loaf of bread and walking around with it!