Shelter "Strashnoto Ezero" is a solid stone structure with a narrow vestibule and a shared room containing bunks, a table, several chairs, and a stove. If necessary, the bunks can accommodate about 15 people, but the sleeping area is tight for such a large number. Comfortably, the table can seat a maximum of 6-7 people.
The shelter is well insulated, and when the stove is burning, it heats up quickly. There is no place nearby to gather firewood, so if there is any stored in the vestibule, please use it sparingly. Strashnoto Ezero is located in the territory of the “Rila” National Park, and breaking or cutting dwarf pine is not allowed, which makes fuel collection additionally challenging.
Water can be drawn from the outlet of Strashnoto Ezero. About 15-20 meters below the shelter, near the path to Kobilino Branishte, there is a makeshift fountain.
There is no toilet at the shelter "Strashnoto Ezero." It is advisable, when attending to personal needs, to move as far away as possible from the lake (whose water you will use for drinking), the paths, and the building. For example, head northwest, up the path climbing the hill behind the shelter.
Shelter "Strashnoto Ezero" is part of the international hiking route E-4, about which you can learn more here - Route E4 - Vitosha, Verila, Rila, Pirin, Slavyanka.
Shelter "Strashnoto Ezero" is located in the Malyovitsa section of Northwestern Rila, at the foot of the highest peak in this part of the mountain - Golyam Kupen (2731 m above sea level). It is built on the shore of Strashnoto Ezero, at an altitude of 2465 m. The most convenient starting point for a hike to the shelter is the CPS "Malyovitsa," from where there are two approaches in summer - via Yonchevo Lake and via the "Malyovitsa" hut, which is also the winter route.
The trail through Yonchevo Lake is marked with a white-green-white marker and starts at the entrance of the hotel (located above the school building and the minibus stop from Samokov). It takes about 2 hours to reach the lake. To continue to the shelter (another hour), at Yonchevo Lake, leave the green marker and, bypassing the lake from the west, follow the blue marker. This is followed by a prolonged but relatively gentle ascent. Shortly before the shelter, there is a difficult, steep rocky section, but it is quite short, and after it, a flat path leads to Strashnoto Ezero in about 5-10 minutes. The total distance is about 5 km, with approximately 800 meters of positive elevation gain. Estimated travel time - 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The route through Malyovitsa Hut starts from the meadow in front of the CPS "Malyovitsa" building, follows the road along the river to the hut (blue marker, but given the wide road to the hut, it is easy to follow). After the hut, follow the red marker - the path descends from the hut to the river, crosses it, and first diagonally, then steeply ascends the Rustavitsa ridge. This is followed by short descents and ascents at the foot of the peaks Kamila, Lovnitsa, and Golyam Kupen, with a final, slightly longer ascent to the terrace where Strashnoto Ezero and the shelter are located. The distance is about 6 km, again with approximately 800 meters of positive elevation gain.