Rilska Skakavitza 2025

One of our most favourite places - the valley of Skakavitza river in the Rila mountains and the big waterfall at the end of the valley. We hike here almost every year and it is always a fulfilling and at the same time different experience.

Yesterday was Saturday and August, so by definition the place was packed, unlike last year, when we hiked mid-July on a Friday and we were almost the only people for the entire 13 km of the hike. The day was warm, but cloudy, very pleasant for a hike in the high mountains.

I haven't posted lately about sewing, because I haven't done much lately, but in these pictures you can see my latest make - a pair of mid-calf leggings by Love Notions. The pattern is free, intended for children up to 14 years old and I've long ago found out that the largest children size fits me perfectly and I prefer them to the adult legging patterns I have.

Hike info:

Destination: Rilska Skakavitza Waterfalls

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 585 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 4 / 10 

The valley of Skakavitza river was at its best - green and colorful and full of flowers.

We climbed up the waterfall to a terrace in the mountain wall and had our lunch there, overlooking the valley.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Burda hoodie, Burda blouse

I: lingerie, Love Notions LDT tunic, Love Notions joggings

Our lunch place. We found a small plantation of big ripe blueberries, growing there and picked a small box for a couple of blueberry cream cakes.

For our return back we chose the long alternative trail through the forest, where we picked another small box of berries - this time raspberries. Lots of berry cream cakes in our nearest future :)

Rilska Skakavitza 2024

The valley of Rilska Skakavitza river is one of those places in Rila, that we love to visit at least once a year. The trail is not very difficult, its length is average and the scenery is always breathtaking. And as always with nature - it is different every time. This time it was empty - absolutely shockingly empty- there was no one at the waterfalls in the middle of summer but us! Probably because it was a work day and these are also days of extreme heat in Bulgaria and people were maybe cautious to go out, but the fact is, that there were very few people along the way and none at the waterfalls. On the other hand, there were no raspberries - it is still a bit early for them in the high mountains, so we'll have to wait a bit for the wild berry gorging during our summer hikes.

Despite the hot day, the air at 2000 m was actually quite pleasant, and we could even have our picnic in the open without burning alive :)

Rilska Skakavitza lodge - we had a quick power snack here and refilled our water bottles, before we continued to the waterfall.

Hike info:

Destination: Rilska Skakavitza Waterfalls

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 585 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 4 / 10 

Rilska Skakavitza river

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Burda cargo pants, Burda blouse

I: lingerie, Love Notions LDT tunic

At this altitude the valleys are still luscious green and abundant with flowers

As usual, we climbed up the trail to approx. one third of the height of the waterfalls

As is our tradition, we had our prolonged picnic on the rocks right in the middle of the river, surrounded by its cool spray and rumble. There's nothing more refreshing like cooling your tired feet in the ice cold waters of a mountain creek.

An unexpected and a bit disturbing encounter - a viper on the path. Husband carefully removed it aside in the grass with the help of the hiking sticks and we continued without any accidents. However, I should mention, that to my astonishment, it was not at all scared of us and didn't try to run away, but rather seemed a bit annoyed and aggressive.

Rilska Skakavitza 2023

A few photos from our hike to Rilska Skakavitza waterfall at the end of August.This is one of our favourite places in Rila, the length of the trail is perfect and fairly easy and the beauty of the place in all seasons is extraordinary.

We hiked it on a Saturday and it was fairly packed with tourists, especially the part around the waterfall, but the ripe raspberries were in such abundance, that there were plenty for all of us. We ate, and ate, and gathered some and then ate some more and these were definitely among the most delicious wild raspberries we've come upon.

The valley of Skakavitza river with the waterfall in the distance. This is the highest waterfall in Rila mountain.

Hike info:

Destination: Rilska Skakavitza Waterfalls

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 585 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 6 and a half hours with raspberry picking and eating

Average difficulty: 4 / 10 

We had our lunch here, on a few rocks right in the middle of the  river. I adore these picnics!

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxer shorts, Knitpick cargo pants

I: lingerie, striped tunic, Love Notions leggings

 

 We returned along the alternative, longer, but easier trail by Pionerska hut.

Plenty of ripe and sweet wild raspberries on our way back. We even made 6 small jars of wild raspberry jam at home.

And one of my most exciting encounters with wild life - a fox passed me by on the trail back.

 

Rilska Skakavitza in Autumn

Last weekend was that rare Indian summer in October, that everybody loves - mild temperatures, temperate wind and sunny blue skies. Husband and I decided that it was time for a last climb in the higher altitude trails above the 2000 m line. We chose a trail we love for its spectacular beauty and easy access - the valley of Risla Skakavitza river and its popular waterfall.

The lower part of the trail was deceptively lonely and we thoroughly enjoyed the silence and solitude among the tall pine trees

Hike info:

Destination: Rilska Skakavitza Waterfalls

Mountain: Rila

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 585 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 5 hours

Average difficulty: 4 / 10

:One of the low cascades of the waterfall

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Knip Mode cargo pants

I: lingerie, Houndstooth Hoodie

:Rilska Skakavitza river was very full-watered this year, we have never seen it like that

:Although the summer flowers have already withered and the raspberries are gone, the valley was still breathtakingly beautiful

:

:We had our lunch here, on a big boulder in the middle of the river. It was a picnic to remember!

:On the way back we took the long trail, in the direction of Pionerska hut

:Rila is so spectacular! Pity it is too far away and we can't hike there every weekend :)