Last updated on August 29, 2026
Skakavitsa Hut – Bulgaria’s oldest mountain hut
Skakavitsa Hut is one of the more popular mountain huts in Bulgaria. It is located in northwestern Rila, close to Rila Skakavitsa Waterfall and the Seven Rila Lakes.
It is the oldest hut in Bulgaria. The current hut was built on the foundations of Bulgaria’s first tourist hut, which was built in 1921-1922.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through and book or buy something, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your Bulgaria trip without overthinking it:
- Flights: I usually compare prices on Kiwi, Skyscanner, and Omio – they often show different deals for the same routes.
- Accommodation: For apartments and hotels, Booking and HostelWorld cover pretty much every budget and city in Bulgaria.
- Tours & activities: If you don’t want to book on the spot, GetYourGuide and Viator are the easiest options.
- Transfers: For airport pickups and long-distance transfers, Welcome Pickups save time and negotiation.
- Car rental: I compare prices on DiscoverCars and LocalRent – especially useful outside Sofia.
- Mobile internet: For eSIMs, Saily is simple and cheaper than roaming.
- Travel insurance: I usually check HeyMondo (5% discount available) or SafetyWing, depending on trip length.
Capacity and facilities
Skakavitsa Hut is heated, water and electricity-supplied. There is a dining room, a small bar, and a tourist kitchen. During the summer season, the dining room and kitchen on the first floor operate as a restaurant.
During the autumn and winter season, food is prepared by prior request. Keep in mind that the most recent reviews mention prices that are quite high.
The hut consists of two buildings – Big Skakavitsa and Small Skakavitsa.
Big Skakavitsa
- A three-storey building
- 65 beds.
- 15 rooms
- Shared bathrooms on each floor
Image by https://www.skakavitsa.hija.bg/
Small Skakavitsa
- A smaller building
- 13 beds.
- 4 rooms
- 2 bathrooms
Location and getting there
Skakavitsa Hut is in northwestern Rila, in the Skakavishka Valley, in the Golyama Skakavitsa area. It sits at around 1,876 m above sea level, at the foot of the eastern slope of Kabul Peak (2,530 m) and stands on the left bank of the Skakavitsa River.
Coordinates: 42.23054356014678, 23.303537012195147
You can only reach the hut on foot. There are no roads for motor vehicles.
The closest and preferred starting point for Skakavitsa Hut is the Zeleni Preslap area.
You can reach Zeleni Preslap from Sapareva Banya via Panichishte by car through an asphalt road, around 15 km long (30 minute drive). You can also reach it by a hiking trail from Panichishte (around 1 hour hike).
Once you reach Zeleni Preslap, you continue following the red trail markers towards Skakavitsa Hut, following the same route towards Skakavitsa waterfall. After about 1.5 hours you will reach the hut.
Stef’s local tip:
You can reach Skakavitsa Hut by following the trail from Lake Babreka (one of the Seven Rila Lakes). Actually, up until the passenger cable car from Pionerska Hut to Rila Lakes Hut opened, the Skakavitsa Hut – Lake Babreka trail was the most commonly used route for entering the Seven Rila Lakes cirque.
Nearby trails
Skakavitsa Hut is a useful base for exploring several places in this part of Rila. The Skakavitsa Waterfall is just around 30 minutes away and is the highest waterfall in Rila.
You’ll also find tourist maps at the entrance to the hut. These show the hiking routes in the area and the national park, which is handy if you want to get your bearings before heading out.
Image by https://www.skakavitsa.hija.bg/
Here are the approximate hiking times from Skakavitsa Hut:
- Rilska Skakavitsa Waterfall – 30 minutes
- Pionerska Hut – 1.5 hours
- Seven Rila Lakes via Babreka Lake – 1.5 hours
- Ivan Vazov Hut – 4 hours
- Seven Lakes Hut – 2 hours
- Rila Lakes Hut – 1.5 hours
- Lovna Hut – 2 hours
- Kabul Peak – 2 hours
- Otovishki Peak – 2.5 hours
- Vada Hut – 2.5 hours
- Malyovitsa Hut – 6 hours
- Rila Monastery – 7 hours
Skakavitsa Hut contacts
Skakavitsa Hut is owned and managed by the Rilski Ezera Tourist Association in Dupnitsa.
For the latest information, you can contact the hut directly:
- Website: skakavitsa.hija.bg
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0877 388 305, 0877 388 307
History
Skakavitsa Hut was the first mountain hut built in Bulgaria. Construction took place in 1921 and 1922, and the hut was officially opened on August 2, 1922, with mountaineers from across the country in attendance.
The person credited by the tourists of Dupnitsa as the main initiator and most active participant in the construction was teacher Nikola Dodov. A small peak on the ridge between Malyovitsa and Damga peaks was later named in his memory.
The example set by the tourists of Dupnitsa helped kick-start a wave of hut construction across Bulgaria during the first half of the 20th century. Huts such as Aleko Hut on Vitosha, Chumerna and Yumruchal huts in the Balkan Mountains, and Osogovo Hut in the Osogovo Mountains were built during this period, among others.
The original hut was a solid stone-and-wood building. It had two sleeping rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, and other facilities.
Unfortunately, the first hut was destroyed by a major fire in 1951.
The current Skakavitsa Hut was built on the foundations of the original building between 1958 and 1960. The second, smaller building was added in 1973.
Today, Skakavitsa Hut is part of the Explore Bulgaria – 100 National Tourist Sites initiative. It is listed as site number 29, together with the Seven Rila Lakes.
You can get the stamp and mark for the site inside the hut.
Prepare for the Bulgarian mountains
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is more than a quick stop from Sofia. This guide explains what’s inside the complex, how to visit, where to stay, and what to see nearby - so you can plan it with context, not guesswork.
Read More
Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are one of Bulgaria’s most popular mountain hikes, but don’t let the crowds fool you - this is not an easy walk in the park. Here’s everything you need to know before hiking the Seven Rila Lakes, from getting there and taking the lift to following...
Read More
Bulgarian ski resorts
Discover Bulgaria’s ski resorts beyond Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo. From hidden slopes to family zones and budget-friendly gems, this ultimate guide shows you where to ski, what to expect, and insider tips for every mountain traveler.
Read More
Top 15 best hotels in Borovets
From 5-star ski-in ski-out hotels to cosy budget apartments, this guide breaks down the best accommodation in Borovets, Bulgaria, so you can book the right stay for your trip, budget, and ski plans.
Read MoreTell a friend about this
Stefani Gospodinova
Founder and Content Creator
Stefani is a travel content creator born and raised in Bulgaria, and the founder of Kiss My Backpack. Having explored the country since childhood, she shares practical tips, local insights, and her own photography to help visitors plan their trip.
Latest blog posts
Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are one of Bulgaria’s most popular mountain hikes, but don’t let the crowds fool you - this is not an easy walk in the park. Here’s everything you need to know before hiking the Seven Rila Lakes, from getting there and taking the lift to following...
Read More
Events in August 2026
Discover the best festivals, cultural events, folklore celebrations, food fairs, concerts, and local traditions happening across Bulgaria in August 2026.
Read More
Events in June 2026
Discover the best festivals, cultural events, folklore celebrations, food fairs, concerts, and local traditions happening across Bulgaria in June 2026.
Read More
Sozopol Old Town
A practical guide to Sozopol Old Town for first-time visitors, covering the main sights, churches, archaeological sites, beaches, museums, and local history in a way that is easy to actually understand while walking through the town.
Read More