Fusine Lakes in Italy

Fusine Lakes in Italy

Life is a beautiful ride

Fusine Lakes in Italy

Reset Apartments
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Podkoren
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Zelenci Nature Reserve
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Ratece
Fusine Lakes
Medium
!
Elevation: 818 m - 952 m
9.9 km
*
Height difference: 134 m
Asphalt road
85% Bike only

MUST VISIT

Zelenci Nature Reserve
Ratece Village
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

The Belopeška Lakes have several names. Mangart lakes, Fusine lakes, Klanško lakes, Laghi di Fusine in Italian, Weissenfelser Seen in German, and Lâts di Fusinis in Friulian. Quite a lot of names, no? The Belopeška Lakes consist of two large lakes (Klanško and Mangart lake) located in the Mangart valley near the village of Trbiž, not far from Rateče and the triple border between Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. The Slovenian name derives from the place name Bela Peč. The area of the two glacial lakes was declared the Belopeška Lakes National Park by the Italians in 1971. They are bounded to the south by Mount Mangart and to the east by Ponce Mountains. The upper lake, with a depth of 10 m, lies at an altitude of 929 m, and the lower lake at 924 m.

If you want to take a beautiful family photo, you should visit not only Lake Jasna but also the Belopeška Lakes in neighboring Italy.

The trail to the Belopeška Lakes is a bit longer but not too demanding and is ideal for longer family trips. From the Reset Apartments, turn left and follow the cycle path, which initially runs along the northern edge of the Triglav National Park, just below the Vitranc ski slopes. It takes you directly to the border with Italy, so don’t forget your ID cards. At the turn-off for Rateče, there is a small swamp that turns into a beautiful lake during heavy rains in spring and autumn. In winter, of course, if the water level is favorable, the lake turns into a beautiful ice-skating rink in nature.

We recommend that you take time for a short stop to visit the Zelenci Nature Reserve or take a drive through the idyllic Alpine village of Podkoren. Before turning off towards Planica, you can take a detour through Rateče, where you can experience an adventure in the Escape Museum or stop at one of the many taverns and restaurants that are known far and wide for their exceptional offer of homemade food and drinks. You can also stop at the Pehta log cabin, located under the Podkoren part of the ski resort, just before the turnoff for the Zelenci Nature Reserve. Here you can always try ’spoon dishes’.

Crossing the border is easy, as you are only reminded that you are already in neighboring Italy by a sign indicating that you are crossing the national border. Shortly after crossing the border, look out for the signpost – straight ahead for Tarvisio, left for Lago di Fusine. Turn left along the path through the meadows into the woods and follow it all the way to the main road, which takes you directly to the lakes. If you miss the turn-off, continue all the way to the main road, where you turn left towards the lakes, but be aware that this is a longer route and quite busy.

If you drive to the lakes, you will have to pay an entrance/parking fee. If you want to refresh yourself with a cold drink or an ice-cream, there is a lodge at the lower lake with a terrace and an extraordinary view of the mountains surrounding the lake.

View of the surrounding mountains

  • Visoka Ponca (2.274 m)
  • Kotova špica (2.376 m)
  • Jalovec (2.645 m)
  • Mangart (2.679 m)
  • Mangartsko sedlo (2.055 m)
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Jasna Lakes

Jasna Lakes

WALK MORE – WORRY LESS

Jasna lakes

Lake Jasna
Reset Apartments
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Kranjska Gora
Jasna lakes
Easy
Asphalt road
To cold for swiming
2.4 km
Great for Sunbathing
!
Elevation: 811 m - 833 m
30 min walk
Must see
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22 m of elevation

WHERE TO NEXT?

Mala Pisnica Valley
Krnica Valley
Vrsic Mountain Pass
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

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)
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