Majestic, wild, and surrounded by the incredible beauty of Rila. Every step of the way is worth it.
One more unique waterfall for today — Rilska Skakavitsa. Majestic, wild, and surrounded by the incredible beauty of Rila. Every step of the way is worth it, and the roar of the falling water reaches you long before you see it.
This is the highest waterfall in the Rila Mountains — the water plunges some 70 meters down a sheer rock face. In early summer, when the snow up high is melting, the view is at full strength: a white ribbon of water slicing through the dark rock, with nothing but forest and sky around it.
How to Get There
The trail starts from the Skakavitsa hut (the easiest approach is from Panichishte). It winds through an ancient pine forest, is well marked, and takes about 40 minutes of easy walking from the hut to the waterfall. The little bridge in front of the falls is the spot for that photo — spray in your face and all.
Practical Tips
- When: May–July, when the waterfall is at its fullest
- Footwear: hiking boots are a must — the rocks near the water are slippery
- Combine it with a hike up to the Seven Rila Lakes or an afternoon in Sapareva Banya
- For families: the route is suitable even for kids with a little mountain experience
Waterfalls are probably my most frequent destination — and yet every time, Skakavitsa makes me stop and simply stare.
