The Fusine Lakes
Two alpine lakes below the Mangart
In the far north-eastern corner of Italy, a few kilometres from Tarvisio and from the borders with Austria and Slovenia, in the heart of the Julian Alps, lie the Laghi di Fusine, two small lakes of glacial origin, among the most beautiful and photographed in the Alps. The Lago Inferiore, the lower lake, and the Lago Superiore, the upper lake, both at just over 900 metres, are connected by underground streams and are surrounded by forests of spruce, larch and beech, which are reflected in their waters of incredible colours, from emerald green to turquoise and deep blue. Behind them rises the majestic north wall of the Mangart, 2,677 metres high, a mountain on the border with Slovenia, whose rocky peaks, often snow-capped until early summer, are mirrored in the still water of the upper lake, creating an image of rare beauty.
The lakes are part of the Parco Naturale Regionale dei Laghi di Fusine, and an easy, flat path runs around both lakes and connects them, suitable for families, with benches and viewpoints, and in summer you can rent boats and canoes. The area is crossed by other trails leading into the Julian Alps, to the mountain huts, and by the Alpe Adria cycle path, which connects Salzburg to Grado. In winter, the frozen lakes and the snow-covered woods offer a fairytale landscape, ideal for snowshoeing. In the surroundings, Tarvisio is an important ski resort, and the nearby Sanctuary of Monte Lussari, reachable by cable car, offers a splendid view of the Alps.
Tip: go early in the morning, when the water is still and reflects the Mangart; walk around the upper lake.
Where it is
More things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
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