Rila mountain hike and two of its lakes...

 

In the hot summer days Bulgarian people like to escape the heat in the refreshing shadows of the trees in the mountains. Among all mountains in my country (and on the Balkans), Rila is the highest mountain with its peak Mussala (2925m). The peak is some 8 meters higher than the top of Olympus-mountain, the highest one at our neighbors, Greece. The name Rila comes from Thracian word for the "well-watered", which is not a surprise at all. The mountain has some 200 glacial lakes as well as several hot springs! Some of Balkans longest and deepest rivers originate from Rila: Maritza, Iskar, Mesta. One of the most famous lake group are the Seven Rila lakes, about which I have already wrote.

Last weekend I had the big pleasure to visit two more lakes...A big part of the Rila mountain is a national park due to its amazing flora and fauna. This is also the biggest national park in Bulgaria...We went first up to the Fish Lake (first picture) and then refreshed our feet and toes in the crystal clear water of the Dead Lake (6th and 7th picture), which is located at 2100m. Enjoy the hike with me:-)

Krimmler Wasserfaelle/ Krimml Waterfalls, the biggest waterfalls in Europe

 

Next to fresh mountain air, breathtaking green landscapes and local specialties (such as local cheese and wine), the Austrian mountains imSalzburger Land offer just tons of beatiful nature...A great place for a day-hike are the Krimmler Wasserffaelle...They are the biggest waterfalls in Europe with a total height of 380 meters!

 

The falls are formed from the Krimmler Ache river and are located near the village of Krimml in the High Tauern National Park in Salzburgerland. After the falls, the river joins the Salzach, which flows to the Inn, then into the Danube River and finally to the Black Sea.

...and when the sun is there, it is just a perfect summer day in the mountain!