fish lake (ribni ezera) hut

Ribni Ezera Hut is situated at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. It is a solid two-storey building with capacity for about 100 people. The hut is easily accessible by hiking, starting from Kirilova Polyana, which is about 7 km past Rila Monastery, along a dirt road and marked trails. The trail from Kirilova Polyana to the hut covers around 8 km and involves some moderate elevation gain, making it suitable for experienced hikers.

Alternatively, it can be reached via longer routes, such as from Malyovitsa through the Kobylino Branishte shelter or from Semkovo, involving a walk of 5-9 hours. The area offers scenic mountain views, including the nearby Smradlivoto Lake, the largest glacial lake in the Balkans, which adds to the appeal of reaching this sturdy mountain shelter.