Ribni Ezera Hut

Getting there: Head toward Rila Monastery, but don’t stop there — continue past it along the road to “Provaralkata” (the tomb of St. Ivan Rilski), then keep going past that as well, driving up toward the Tiha Rila camping area. Note that the road up to Tiha Rila is in poor condition, so it’s not suitable for every car — keep this in mind before setting off. At the Tiha Rila camping area there’s a large space to leave your car. From there, a single wide path leads up — it’s impossible to lose your way, and signs mark the route to Ribni Ezera hut throughout.

Good to know: Phone signal disappears from this point until you reach Ribni Ezera hut. Also, you can stock up on food and drinks beforehand in the village of Rila or Kocherinovo — both on the road before the monastery.

The route: Easy going overall, with no steep or hazardous sections — fairly gentle terrain. Some rocky stretches mean sturdy footwear is a must (not city sneakers).

At the hut: Ribni Ezera offers indoor lodging as well as separate bungalows (though these are in fairly rough shape). If you’re traveling with kids, staying in the main hut is the better choice. There’s no signal here except on Vivacom, and no internet.

The hut has a kitchen serving good food — soups, grilled dishes, salads — and breakfast too. Prices are reasonable given there’s no car access.

Beyond the hut: Several routes continue further up, though these aren’t well suited for young children.