Smolyan Lakes

The surroundings of Smolyan abound in natural beauty and historical places. To the north of the town, amidst quaint cliffs and coniferous forests, are the picturesque Smoyan Lakes. Here is the most beautiful corner of Smolyan’s natural gems. The Smolyan Lakes are located from the Orpheus Rocks on the left slope and reach all the way to the town of Smolyan. In the past there were more than 20 lakes, but now there are only 7 left and the others have turned into swamps or have dried up.

In spring some of them fill up with water again. The first lakes are located along the road from Smolyan in the direction of Mt Perelik. They alternate with the mountain bends in the sequence – Kerjanovy gyol, Milushe gyol and Salasha, Osman gyol. There is a campsite next to the lower lakes, and a little higher, near the Salasha Lake, is the original hotel-restaurant. 200m higher is the Lakes hill, which is used by groups for excursion breaks.

Above them is the Ezerovo quarter, the ancestor of Smolyan. And on the uppermost terrace between the lakes rises Mt Smolyansky Lakes. Many new and modern hotels have been built and are functioning in the area of the lakes. The road turns off to the Smolensk Lakes Hut and there, under Mount Snezhanka, among the tall coniferous forests, are the other three lakes – Grass Lake, Bistro Lake and Mud Lake. The road to the Studenets hut passes by Bistro Lake.

It is no more than a meter deep, so in August it significantly decreases and almost dries up. Between the Bistro and the Grassy Lake there is an eco-trail “The Three Smolyan Lakes”, which surrounds them and leads to the highest and deepest – the Mud Lake. On the spacious site next to the Grass Lake, there is a chapel “Holy Spirit”, which is sometimes open on weekends, and on the church feast day of the temple, is a gathering place for a kurban. The Smolyan Lakes are part of the picturesque landscape of the Western Rhodopes. They are remarkably beautiful!