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Rila is part of the Rila-Rhodope mountain range and occupies its northwest end. It is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and on the Balkank Peninsula and it is the sixth highest mountain in Europe. The mountain is divided into four distinct parts - Eastern, Central, Northwest and Southwest Rila.

Eastern Rila is the larger and higher part of the mountain whose leader peak is Musala. Here is located also the highest lake on the Balkan Peninsula – Ledenoto ezero (“Glacial Lake”).

Middle Rila is the most rocky and best expressed among other parts of Rila. Its highest peak is Cherna polyana (”Black Meadow”) - 2716 meters. In this part is located the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula - Smradlivoto lake.

Northwestern Rila represents a molded crown of one of the most beautiful peaks and rocky cliffs, with a strong alpine type: Malyovitsa (2729 m), Kupenite (the highest peak on the northwestern Rila – Golyam Kupen (2731 m)) and others. In this part is located the largest and most famous lake group - the Seven Rila Lakes - with the deepest lake on the Balkan Peninsula - Okoto (“Eye”).

Southwest Rila is the lowest share. The highest peak in this part is Angelov peak.

Rila is very rich in water resources. There are about 170 lakes and it gave rise to three of the largest rivers - Iskar, Maritsa and Mesta. Part of the Rila was declared a national park. There are several distinct reserves in the mountain – “Parangalitsa”, "Central Rila Reserve", "Skakavitsa" and "Ibar".

Musala is the highest peak not only in Bulgaria, but also on the Balkan Peninsula. Its height is 2925 meters.

Viewed from the north, from a distance it looks like a granite cone tip stuck in the sky, surrounded by the peaks Mancho, Marishki peak and Bliznatsite (“Twins”). West at the foot of Musala is the valley of Beli Iskar, behind which rises the mighty chain of Skakavitsa, Shishkovitsa, Pogledets and others. To the east Musala is associated with the peaks Malka Musala (“Small Musala”), Irechek, Deno and Studeniya vrah (“Cold Peak”). To the norths is located the Samokov valley, crossed by the river Iskar. Below the top are located the Seven lakes of Musala. Close to the lowest Musalenska lake were built the new and the old "Musala" huts.

In 1932 at the top was built the first in Bulgaria alpine meteorological station, which is the highest one in Eastern Europe.

Musala peak is included in the national movement "Conqueror of the ten princes of the mountains" at No. 1. It is a point of the Bulgarian section of the European hiking route "E-8". From the resort town of Borovets you can take the cabin cableway to Yastrebets near the "Musala" hut and "Glacial Lake" hut. The travel takes approximately three and a half hours. From Musala you can continue to huts "Zavrachitsa" (about four hours) and "Granchar" (four hours).