Surrounded by the Alps and Gorgeous Nature

We spent a warm spring Saturday for a trip to Italy. Driving through an empty and deserted customs station, we arrived in Italy and turned left towards Lago di Fusine at the first junction after five kilometres. An ascending paved road leads to the Lower Lake and runs parallel to a stream and a hiking trail.

The Fusine Lakes are stunning. An approximately half-an-hour walk around the Lower Lake offers incredible and breath-taking points of interest. A red boat with young lovebirds rowing to the other side of the lake only adds to the combination of the lake’s already gorgeous emerald surface and pristine green woods. And there are mighty grey boulders, parts of them still covered in snow, jutting out from the high spruces to boot. The crowd of people is larger by the Lower Lake and quite a few people decided – just like we did – to take a walk around the lake. Some parts – especially the forest part of the trail, running among tree roots and rocks – are more difficult to traverse. Since there weren’t any directions as to which way to follow, it was harder meeting fellow walkers and trying to let them pass by. We all stopped for a bit, kindly smiled to each other and then it was all good. More tourists, however, preferred to take a break on the inn’s terrace, enjoying some coffee and dessert. Some even basked in the warm spring sun, while others decided to sit on the benches. The only swimmer that day was a black Labrador Retriever who seemed to enjoy playing with its owner while splashing around in the lake and spraying passers-by, so we, too, felt a few drops of icy cold water. But the Labrador didn’t seem to be bothered by the cold water, as it boisterously jumped into the water chasing the stick. Following a dirt trail, we headed to the Upper Lake that lies five metres higher (at an altitude of 929 metres). There’s a path running between the two lakes and along the Upper Lake with one steep ascend followed by a gentle descend.

The Upper Lake is less touristy than its neighbour. We spread out a blanket among the few Italians and numerous Slovenes, who already found their spot in the meadow, and earned our spot under the open sky for the next couple of hours. Lying in the midst of all that beautiful nature, surrounded by mountains, and hearing only the sound of birds in the distance every once in a while is the best way to recharge your batteries.

A pebble’s throw away lies another lovely glacier lake. It’s called Lago del Predil. We headed back to the main road where we previously turned towards the Laghi di Fusine and continued down the main route towards the former mining town of Cave del Predil. You can already see a large lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains after passing the town. There wasn’t a single soul at the lake during our visit. We parked our car by the road and walked to the lake, spread out our blanket and made a mini picnic. We relished the blue lake water and the mighty mountains in the background, the peaks of which were still covered in snow. It was so calm and peaceful we forgot our rumbling stomachs and enjoyed the pleasant Saturday until sunset.

The lakes are probably even more popular and crowded during hot summer days. That’s when the crowds are the largest and the boldest ones dare jump into the glacier lakes. Visiting the lakes with a paddle board or a kayak is also no doubt a unique experience.