Feel the Charm of Laghi di Fusine

Written by Arijana Tkalčec

Just outside Tarvisio, you can find mesmerizing Laghi di Fusine (Fusine Lakes). It's two glacial lakes, Lago di Fusine Inferiore (the inferior lake) and Lago di Fusine Superiore (the superior lake). They are connected by an easy path that leads through the forest. The Lakes are situated at the foot of the Mangart massif in the Julian Alps. As they are close to Italy-Slovenia border (just 20 minutes drive from Kranjska Gora in Slovenia), they are also known as Belopeška jezera – the Slovenian name.

Sunrise at Lago di Superiore.

To get to the lake you have to pay an entrance fee. The seasonal price (from 1st July to 31st August) is 2€ for motorbikes, 3€ for cars and 15€ for campers. You can come in for free if you go on foot or a bike. It takes around 15 minutes on foot from the entrance. There is a possibility to sleep overnight (if you have van/camper) on the parking lot next to the Lago Superiore and we, like many others, chose that option.

I prefer Lago Superiore as it has a unique atmosphere. The trail around the whole lake, the reflection of a vast mountain seen throughout the day and mist in the mornings make it magical. It's bigger than Lago Inferiore so it's perfect for a walk as you can take a trail that leads you around the whole lake. The path follows the coast of the lake and guides you through the woods, so it's more interesting. Now and then there is a bench where you can take a rest and admire the view. The path also offers many viewpoints, and each of them gives you a unique view of the lake. The circular route around the lake is around 2 km and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.

You see these mountains throughout the whole walk.

During the summer the place is packed. That's why I suggest taking a walk in the morning. We woke up for sunrise, and it was perfect! There was no one except for us. Everything was so peaceful. The part I liked the most was the sound of cowbells, and that's the only sound we were able to hear. From one side of the lake is a valley and that's where the horses and cows walk around freely. They come to the lake to drink water, and seeing their reflection in the water is incredible.

My most memorable moment from walking around the lake.

If you circle the lake, you have to pass through them. There's a fence for keeping cows and horses from running into the woods, but you can easily go over it as there is a stile made for climbing over. I advise you to go around cows and horses. They won't hurt you but be careful. We came close to horses and stayed there a bit too long, so one of them came to scare us. He moved quickly towards us until we walked a few meters back. And that happened twice! I would say he is their guardian. Be smart, and don't bother them, admire them from the distance.

“The guardian” horse trying to scare us away - mission completed.

Lago di Fusine Inferiore has it's a charm too. But you can't walk around the lake. There the trail leads mostly through the woods. But it's worth a visit too and it's possible to relax at the cafe that's above the water.

Lago di Fusine Inferiore.

This place is also a great starting point for many hikes. Take your time and explore the area. Nature is beautiful and unspoiled, so it's worth it. Nearby is Lago del Predil, another beautiful lake. I recommend visiting that one too as swimming there is allowed compared to these. It's just around 20 minutes drive away.

The trail offers many unique views, this is just one of them.