WALK MORE – WORRY LESS

Jasna lakes

The walk to the two artificial lakes in Jasná is short and without any major climbs, so it is also suitable for younger children, who will be able to feed the ducks and play on the well-kept sandy beaches. The lakes are surrounded by the many peaks of the Julian Alps, which are beautifully reflected in the blue, crystal clear but cool water. Together with the bronze statue of the Goldhorn and the 6-metre wooden tower, the lakes form one of the most beautiful views in the Triglav National Park, so don’t forget to bring your camera or camera. You’ll get the best photos from the watchtower, posing next to the Goldhorn statue, or from the new, attractive suspension bridge over the Pišnica River canyon.

Suspension bridge over the river Pišnica

Originally, Jasna was an artificial bathing area with associated facilities for the selected guests of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The bath was enclosed by a fence and barbed wire and was closed to the public until 1945, long after the fall of the monarchy. The baths remained in use until 1966, when the bottom of the pool was ruptured by an earthquake in the Soča valley, and the torrential waters of the Pišnica River also caused considerable damage. The original pool was filled in with materials from the surrounding area, creating a larger basin that was filled with water from natural underground sources. The present attractive appearance of the site was created in 1981 with the excavation of a second lake.

The two lakes are located in the immediate vicinity of Kranjska Gora, at the confluence of the Mala and Velika Pišnica rivers, on the road to the Vršič mountain pass, and are well-visited tourist attractions as they are two of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Triglav National Park. The location also serves as a must-stop for all excursionists heading to the Vršič mountain pass or further on through Trenta valley and the picturesque Soča valley to Nova Gorica.

How to get to the lakes?

To reach Jasna, follow the path through the center of Kranjska Gora, where you turn left onto the road to Vršič. The road has pavement for walkers all the way to the lakes, or you can turn right onto a well-maintained path that follows the Pišnica River all the way to the bridge, next to a small hydroelectric power station. Immediately afterward, you will have a wonderful view of the lakes and the surrounding area, which is made up of the mighty mountains of the Triglav National Park.

Activities

The destination is ideal for a pleasant walk or a cycling stop. The water is not suitable for swimming as it is extremely cold, fed by melting snow and ice from the surrounding mountains.

• Sunbathing on the lake’s well-kept beaches
• Swimming for those who are not afraid of cold water (17ºC)
• Jumping into the water from the 6 m wooden tower (viewing platform)
• Trout fishing in the Pišnica river – fly fishing
• Exploring the confluence of the Velika and Mala Pišnica rivers
• Ice skating on the frozen lake (winter)

Walking trails

The two lakes are small and can be circumnavigated in 10 to 15 minutes. Younger children will be able to explore the surrounding area with a small swamp filled with frog tadpoles in the spring days, and throughout the year they will be able to feed the flocks of ducks and numerous trouts in both lakes.

Jasna can serve as a starting point for:

• The route to the valley of the Mala Pišnica river
• The path along the Velika Pišnica River up to the Krnica valley, where you can visit the Krnica lodge.
• Climb up to the Vršič mountain pass
• The Russian Chapel
• Numerous lodges
• The face of a Pagan girl naturally carved into the walls of Mount Prisank
• Ascent to Vitranc and on to Cimprnik with a descent to Planica

Attractions

• A 6-meter high wooden tower serves all brave visitors as a platform for jumping into the ice-cold water or as a viewing platform for a view of the surrounding peaks surrounding the lake.
• The bronze statue of the Goldhorn, which, according to legend, guards the hidden treasures beneath the mountains.
• Suspension bridge over the canyon of the Pišnica River

Sights in the immediate vicinity

If you are heading to Jasna, we recommend you visit:

• The valleys of the Little Pišnica River
• Krnica Valley
• The Russian Chapel
• Vršič Pass
• The Pagan Girl – the face of a mountain girl, naturally carved into the stone face of Mount Prisank

View of the surrounding mountains

• Rušica (2.096 m)
• Špik (2.472 m)
• Škrlatica ( 2.740 m)
• Razor (2.601 m)
• Prisank (2.547 m)
• Robičje (1.941 m)
• Vitranc (1.636 m)