What a beautiful lake.

Many times a week I pass this lake just over the border in Italy, and it never fails to impress. The lake is on the other side of the Mount Kanin in Bovec, Slovenia and is on the way to Sella Nivea, the ski slopes that were recently joined with the Kanin slopes.Any guests arriving to Bovec from the North and entering Slovenia via the Predel Pass, will pass this lake on route. It always used to amaze me that this beautiful natural lake, so close to towns and accessible by every size motor vehicle, was not commercialised  or exploited. Apart from a small chalet selling drinks and two choices of main courses, that was the only sign of civilization around the lakeside for many years. And, until recently, the lake was rarely used by sports enthusiasts but now it is starting to become an ideal environment to  learn the basics for some of the more popular water sports such as kayaking, wind surfing and canoeing.  Many of the Bovec sports agencies also choose to take their guests here as it is only a 20 Min's drive and it provides a safe environment for people to learn the basics before they attempt the faster running waters of the river Soca. In fact, when packaging activity holidays for the travel puzzle, I always try and include at least one visit to the lake, especially when recommending activities that the whole family can take part in. There is  a small water sports centre on the lakeside that operates throughout the summer and also provides pedalos, kayaks and windsurfs with the various necessary accompanying equipment and hosts lessons with qualified instructors. The chalet still provides the opportunity of taking lunch or refreshments there, although a picnic in the designated area would be perfect. The Tarvisio municipality has recently organised proper parking areas and benches for this purpose.

This lake is different in every season, it freezes over in the winter and is so still in the autumn that the mountains and trees are reflected in it's surface like a mirror.